EspañolEnglish
Resources Free Lending Library
Habla Espanol?


NJ Kinship Legal Guardianship Resource Clearing House

An Information Center for Kinship Care Families

1-877-KLG-LINE (1-877-554-5463)
Events In The News
Contact us

2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

by

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.

Download Handbook

how to help families apply for the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC)

by

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

by

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/

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.

by

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.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/24/roe-v-wade-overturned-by-supreme-court-ending-federal-abortion-rights.html

A Proclamation on National Foster Care Month, 2022

by

A Proclamation on National Foster Care Month, 2022

Every May, we renew our commitment to ensuring that all youth in foster care have the love, support, and resources they need to thrive. We also celebrate the families who provide safe and loving homes for our Nation’s foster children. We share our appreciation for the dedicated volunteers and professionals who help our Nation’s foster youth find permanent homes and connect with their biological families when appropriate — many of whom are working hard to safely reunite with their children.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/04/29/a-proclamation-on-national-foster-care-month-2022/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Hidden Hurdles and Benefits of Kinship Care and Adoption

by

In the U.S, almost 2.7 million children are currently being raised by kin—family members other than their parents[1]. These families have been formed through both formal and informal processes. For the wellbeing of these children and their families, as well as for the professionals who serve them, we must take a more critical look at the current practices of kinship care and adoption.

Before formal adoption policies were established either in the United States or abroad, kinship care was a common practice in most cultures around the world. For centuries, when parents felt unable to raise a child or protect their safety for a period of time or indefinitely, they often reached out to relatives to step in and care for a child or children [2]. This common practice of relying on relatives to help raise children still exists alongside formalized domestic and international adoption and foster care programs[3]. However, because of these informal roots, many involved in kinship care and adoption are not receiving the necessary support to make permanent placement for these children secure and successful. Today there is often a gap in understanding how to address the needs of children who have experienced hardship and trauma and a lack of consistency in how to best support and educate families stepping in to care for these children.

Download Handbook

US: Grandparents step up. So should we. Donna Butts, Generations United (Opinion)

by

US: Grandparents step up. So should we. Donna Butts, Generations United (Opinion)
Washington Post – April 22, 2022
Dorothy Roberts’s April 17 Outlook essay, “Five Myths: Child welfare” missed one critical factor in raising children in safe, stable and loving homes when their parents are unable to do so: grandparents and other relatives. Grandfamilies, also known as kinship families, are responsible for 2.6 million children in this country. For every one child in the child welfare system cared for by a relative, 18 are being raised by relatives outside the system.
Also: Five myths about the child welfare system (Opinion): https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/04/15/five-myths-child-welfare/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/22/grandparents-step-up-so-should-we/

Lawmakers Call on State Department to Let Ukrainian Kids Awaiting Adoption Come to U.S. Immediately

by

Lawmakers Call on State Department to Let Ukrainian Kids Awaiting Adoption Come to U.S. Immediately
WASHINGTON Friday, March 25, 2022 8:10 am
Hundreds of Ukrainian children already in the process of being adopted by American families are caught in limbo amid Russia’s invasion of their home country, according to members of Congress who want the State Department to let those children travel to the United States before their adoptions are completed.
https://www.chronline.com/stories/lawmakers-call-ohttps://www.chronline.com/stories/lawmakers-call-on-state-department-to-let-ukrainian-kids-awaiting-adoption-come-to-us-immediately,286670n-state-department-to-let-ukrainian-kids-awaiting-adoption-come-to-us-immediately,286670