Assembly Resolution No. 580

BY: M. of A. Hevesi

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2023, as Kinship Care Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of residents of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, as Kinship Care Month
in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month is observed in September to recognize
children in kinship families, and the grandparents, other relatives, and
family friends who raise them, ensuring their safety, promoting their
well-being, and establishing a stable household for these young people
to thrive; and

WHEREAS, In kinship families, a caregiver cares for a child or
children who were biologically born to another family member or close
friend because the biological parents are unable to raise them; and

WHEREAS, Nationally, approximately 2.7 million children are living
with grandparents and other relatives in kinship care; more than 195,000
of these young people reside in the State of New York, with fewer than
7,500 kinship children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, While grandparents provide more than 60% of all kinship
care, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, other relatives, and family friends
are also acting as parents for vulnerable children; and

WHEREAS, Many of these kinship caregivers give up their retirement
years to assume parenting duties for children; and

WHEREAS, Many children come to live with kinship caregivers, after
allegations of parental abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, Because of parental substance use disorders and other
adverse childhood experiences, children in kinship care frequently have
trauma-related conditions; and

WHEREAS, Kinship caregivers often cope with difficult family
relations caused by parental addictions, incarcerations, mental illness
and other unfortunate circumstance; and

WHEREAS, Kinship care homes offer a refuge for traumatized children;
and

WHEREAS, Kinship care is a national resource that provides loving
homes for vulnerable at risk children; and

WHEREAS, One in 11 of all children, and one in five African-American
children, will live within a kinship family sometime during their
childhood; and

WHEREAS, Kinship caregivers reside in urban, rural and suburban
households in every county of this great Empire State, stepping forward
out of love and loyalty to care for their young relatives, offering much
needed continuity and security, and providing the best opportunity to
retain a child's cultural heritage and community ties; and

WHEREAS, The number of congregate care placements continues to
decrease and child welfare agencies are increasingly reliant on kinship
families; and

WHEREAS, Kinship caregivers are increasingly providing caring homes
for children because of the opioid crisis; and

WHEREAS, The wisdom and compassion of kinship caregivers is a source
of self-reliance and strength for countless children and for all New
Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month honors the priceless role these
grandparents and other kin play in the lives of the children they love;
famous kinship caregivers include President George Washington; and

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month also recognizes the accomplishment of
countless youth throughout this great Empire State, and across the
nation, who, with the unconditional support of grandparents and other
relatives, have successfully navigated the emotional trauma of losing
their parents; famous youth who were raised in kinship care include Maya
Angelou, Sandra Day O'Connor, and President Barack Obama; and

WHEREAS, It is vitally important the public grow in awareness of the
challenges faced by children, grandparents and other relatives in
kinship families; partnerships among the education, legal, social
services, mental health, justice, and other systems are necessary to
ensure access to the services that can enable kinship youth to flourish
in all facets of their life; and

WHEREAS, The entire community of New Yorkers expresses its
wholehearted support for kinship caregivers in their task of providing
loving homes for children; and

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month is reflective of the values of family,
community, and the welfare of children shared by citizens across New
York State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, as Kinship
Care Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.