September is Kinship Care Month

(Yonkers - September 24th) During a kinship care forum held in Yonkers, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins thanked grandparents and relative caregivers, and honored two local organizations with Senate Proclamations for Kinship Care Month in New York State. Senator Stewart-Cousins presented Senate Proclamations to the Family Service Society of Yonkers and Family Ties of Westchester, Inc., for the strong foundation of support they provide to these extended families.

Kinship care is an option for children in foster care and others who cannot live safely with their parents; a grandparent or relative accepts the care and responsibility of the child. More than 200,000 children in New York State are living with grandparents or relative caregivers, and nationwide, that figure is 2.7 million children.

“The care of a family member can make all of the difference in a child’s life,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “These grandparents and relative caregivers have taken on the awesome responsibility of raising a grandchild or child they are related to, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. I remain committed to providing the advocacy, legislation and funding necessary to maintain kinship care services including family placement, counseling, tutoring, parenting skills and health education for the children and caregivers who need it most."

Senator Stewart-Cousins began her advocacy for kinship care as a Westchester County Legislator (1996 to 2006). During the forum, she announced one million dollars in funding for Kinship Care Services was included in the 2015-16 State Budget, and Family Service Society of Yonkers will receive an allocation of $102,980 this year.