National Kinship Care Month

Source: House Representative Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th)

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and the five co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate September 2017 as “National Kinship Care Month.” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a corresponding resolution in the Senate.

“Grandparents and other relatives all over our nation step forward every day to provide a home and care for children when their biological parents are unable to do so,” Rep. Bass said. “These family members play a vital role in our child welfare system and often care for these children without the same resources as foster parents. This sometimes lifesaving support deserves to be honored and recognized. I’m proud to support this effort lead by the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth as we continue to fight for meaningful recognition and reform for this important issue.”

“All children deserve loving, stable homes,” Senator Hatch said. “For every one out of 11 American children, grandparents and other relatives have stepped in to provide and care for children whose birth parents are unable to do so. I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing the important role kinship caregivers play in the lives of so many young people.”

“My work on kinship care has long been driven by a core belief that whenever it’s in the best interest of children, every possibility must be explored to keep children connected to their families and relatives,” Senator Wyden said. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in both houses of Congress that recognizes this crucial goal as we continue to work on ways to keep families and kids together.”

Read the full resolution here.