LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2016 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2016 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 and other relatives
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 chil-
dren 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 150,000
of these young people reside in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, One in 11 of all children, and one in five African-American
children, will live within a kinship family sometime during their child-
hood; and
WHEREAS, Kinship caregivers reside in urban, rural and suburban house-
holds 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, Kinship Care Month honors the priceless role these grandpar-
ents and other relatives 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 that 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, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2016 as
Kinship Care Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.