National Kinship Care Month

WASHINGTON – Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth (CCFY), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. James Langevin (RI-02), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), introduced a bipartisan resolution yesterday to recognize September as National Kinship Care Month.

H.Res. 1384 reflects the ongoing commitment to partner with public and private organizations to prioritize kin-first placements in which children are raised with their families, whenever possible and safe, and to support and celebrate kinship families for their strengths and expertise. Kinship caregivers report tremendous satisfaction in caring for and raising children but often face substantial obstacles in accessing resources they need to care for their families, to avoid living in poverty, and to prevent children from entering foster care. The resolution encourages Congress to continue to implement policies to improve the child welfare system and to recognize and support kinship caregivers.

“Every child deserves a safe, loving home, and no young person should be deprived of the experience of being cared for and raised by their grandparents, siblings, members of their Tribes, godparents, stepparents, or fictive kin caregivers,” said Rep. Bass. “We know kinship care results in better outcomes for all children living in out-of-home care by minimizing trauma, improving mental health outcomes, and reducing the risk of homelessness and incarceration. At the same time, we recognize both the joys and the ongoing needs for support that kinship caregivers experience when they step forward to raise children. These kinship families are critical to improving outcomes for children in the child welfare system across this country.”

“If we start to change the way we view foster care children, we can limit their time in the system,” said Rep. Bacon. “This resolution reminds us that kinship placement is a great first step to decrease the number of children in care; give them a way to stay connected to their families; and reduce some of the trauma during the removal process.”

“Every child deserves a permanent, loving home, so we honor the kinship caregivers who play a crucial role in raising the children whose parents cannot support them,” said Rep. Langevin. “This month, we recognize the commitment of grandparents and other relatives who open their homes and hearts to care for children who are not their own, and we renew our dedication to supporting kinship caregivers and the young people they care for.”

“Kinship care providers play a vital role in our child welfare system; we owe them so much, but it starts with the recognition they deserve,” Rep. Mullin said. “Over seven million vulnerable children in the U.S. have been placed with a kinship care provider. These are individuals who have opened their home to relatives and loved ones, offering connectivity and continuity where it otherwise wouldn’t exist. I couldn’t be more grateful to recognize them."

“Kinship caregivers are among our nation’s unsung heroes,” said Rep. Lawrence. “When parents are unable to raise their child, grandparents and extended family step forward to provide a safe, nurturing, and loving home– even under the most difficult of circumstances. During National Kinship Care Month, we celebrate these kinship caregivers, acknowledge the challenges they face, and commit to providing the support they need.”

While acknowledging that much remains to be done to ensure that all children have safe, loving, nurturing, and permanent families, regardless of age or special needs, the resolution recognizes ongoing work to create policies that improve the child welfare system and provide support and resources to kinship families across the country.  

You may read the text of H.Res. 1384 here.