David Rubin presented the results of his latest kinship care research on Capitol Hill. The findings were discussed with respect to pending legislation in the House and Senate that would provide access to important supportive services for relatives caring for children in foster care, and those helping to keep children out of foster care. On June 24, 2008, the House of Representatives passed the Fostering Connections to Success Act (H.R. 6307). The Act, passed with bipartisan support, extends greater supports to kinship families. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
What is Kinship Care?
More than 2.5 million children are being raised by grandparents and other relatives because their parents are unable to care for them. These families, often referred to as kinship care families, are quite diverse yet they often have similar challenges and needs. Kinship care can help children to maintain family and community connections. A growing body of research points to a number of benefits associated with placing children with kinship foster parents rather than non-relative foster parents.
Click here to read the full research report.
Click here to see Dr. Rubin’s slide presentation.
The event was co-sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Child Welfare League of America, the Children’s Defense Fund and Generations United.
The other speakers included:
- Dr. Joseph Crumbley, DSW, Family Therapist and Consultant, Pennsylvania
- Ms. Vernadean Mack, Grandparent Caregiver, Pennsylvania
- Christine James-Brown, President and CEO, Child Welfare League of America
