It is always better for children and youth to remain with their birth families if it is safe to do so. When foster care is necessary, the goal is to provide a temporary safe, stable and nurturing environment for children and adolescents while actively seeking and supporting reunification with their families. A robust relationship between a child or youth’s birth parents and foster parents or kinship caregivers can help achieve this outcome and reduce trauma for everyone. These relationships are best nurtured when child welfare staff, parent partners, court and legal personnel, court advocates, foster parent organizations and other service providers are supportive and help facilitate early and ongoing communication.
NJ Kinship Connections – Winter 2023
Governor Murphy Signs Bill Establishing New Jersey Siblings’ Bill of Rights
Governor Murphy Signs Bill Establishing New Jersey Siblings’ Bill of Rights
TRENTON – In an effort to maintain sibling relationships in the child welfare system, Governor Phil Murphy today signed S1034/A1357, establishing the Siblings’ Bill of Rights in New Jersey. The bill, which will take effect immediately, will supplement the Child Placement Bill of Rights, adding a number of provisions to strengthen sibling bonds in the child welfare system and during placement. The bill aims to ensure children involved with the Division of Child Protection & Permanency in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) who wish to maintain relationships with their siblings are supported by the department in doing so. The bill recognizes that children placed outside their home have several rights related to maintaining sibling relationships, including the right to remain actively involved in the lives of their siblings, and, where appropriate, to have their voice heard in the permanency planning process for their siblings.
In January 2020, the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Office of Family Voice (OFV) convened a Youth Council consisting of 24 members ages 14-23 who are or were previously involved with one of DCF’s programs (such as Child Protection & Permanency or the Children’s System of Care). During those convenings, the Youth Council worked collaboratively with DCF and its leadership to identify issues and priorities based on the lived experience of child-welfare-involved youth. These youth consistently stressed that sibling relationships were crucial for maintaining stability and ensuring future success. The Youth Council ultimately developed recommendations that were shared with the Governor and the Legislature, and highlighted in a video presentation from the Council to legislators.
New Jersey DDS Resource Directory
We are excited to bring you the 2022 New Jersey Resources Directory! The guide is a
comprehensive resource identifying the various programs and services the Department of
Human Services offers to New Jersey residents, caregivers and advocates.
In this guide, a family can find out more information on how to apply for food, income
and employment assistance, as well as health care and much more. A caregiver can get
information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones.
And individuals with disabilities and their families can get information on various services that
include in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, and education.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can reach our certified Information and
Referral specialists through the Division of Disability Services toll-free at 1-888-285-3036.
New Updates and Refresher on Using GetCTC.org to Help Families Claim the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit Before November 15th
New Updates and Refresher on Using GetCTC.org to Help Families Claim the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit Before November 15th
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Code for America is offering a refresher class on how to help families apply for the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) before simplified filing closes on November 15, 2022. This session will also share new information on the launch of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) feature on https://www.getctc.org/en.
This expanded CTC, may provide up to $3,600 per child, including for children in families with no or low income. This webinar will be offered in English and Spanish. Please register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_poiKGjvqRaOS_rO-Ratmow
If questions, please email Aline da Fonseca of the Coalition on Human Needs with any questions: adafonseca@chn.org.
2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (Strategy) is the result of three
years of focused effort by two Congressionally mandated advisory councils: The
Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family Caregiving
Advisory Council and The Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren (SGRG) (collectively referred to herein as the Advisory Councils).
The two Advisory Councils were formed in 2019 to explore and document the
challenges faced by family caregivers and kin and grandparent caregivers, respectively.
Each was charged with providing actionable recommendations for supporting their
corresponding caregiving populations in a holistic way both now and in the future. In
addition, the RAISE Act directed the development of a family caregiving strategy.
how to help families apply for the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Code for America is offering a refresher class on how to help families apply for the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) before simplified filing closes on November 15, 2022. This session will also share new information on the launch of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) feature on https://www.getctc.org/en.
This expanded CTC, may provide up to $3,600 per child, including for children in families with no or low income. This webinar will be offered in English and Spanish. Please register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_poiKGjvqRaOS_rO-Ratmow
If questions, please email Aline da Fonseca of the Coalition on Human Needs with any questions: adafonseca@chn.org.
Gov. McMaster signs bill aimed at keeping some children out of foster care with strangers
Gov. McMaster signs bill aimed at keeping some children out of foster care with strangers
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Governor Henry McMaster held a ceremonial bill signing in North Charleston on Thursday expanding access to kinship care in the state.
The legislation, S. 222, allows the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) the ability to place a child with a relative or fictive kin who is not yet licensed as a foster parent. It also enables them to receive financial assistance from DSS while in the licensing process.
“Today we further strengthen our foster care system by cutting red tape and providing our children increased stability in the care of people they already know,” said Gov. McMaster. “It is legislation like this that makes a true impact on the lives of our children.”
https://www.counton2.com/news/south-carolina-news/gov-mcmaster-signs-bill-aimed-at-keeping-some-children-out-of-foster-care-with-strangers/
Affirming and Supporting LGBTQ Children and Youth in Child Welfare
The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. in 1973.
The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. in 1973.
The court’s controversial but expected ruling gives individual states the power to set their own abortion laws without concern of running afoul of Roe, which for nearly half a century had permitted abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.