ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER AS ‘NATIONAL KINSHIP CARE MONTH’ RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVES & FRIENDS WHO HAVE STEPPED FORWARD TO CARE FOR NYC CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

 

As the City Foster Care Population Continues to Decline, the Proportion of Those Being Cared For By Relatives & Friends Continues to Grow

 

Approximately 44 Percent of Youth in NYC Foster Care Are Being Cared for By People They Already Know

 

The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) today recognized “Kinship Care Awareness Month” by spotlighting the city’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and close friends who have stepped up to become kinship caregivers to children in foster care. ACS has dramatically reduced the number of children in New York City’s foster care system while increasing the proportion of youth in care placed with kinship caregivers. Research shows that, when placed with people they already know, children in foster care experience less trauma, and have greater overall well-being.

 

“Kinship caregivers are the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and countless others who continue to step up and care for children in need,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Today we say thank you. ACS is working hard to ensure these New Yorkers are recognized for their commitment to the health and stability of New York City’s children and families.”

 

“September provides us with an opportunity to recognize the crucial role kinship caregivers, like grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends play in providing stable and loving homes for children, but we are grateful to them all year long,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “I’m proud of the work ACS has done to reduce the number of children in New York City’s foster care system while increasing the proportion of youth in care placed with kinship caregivers.”

 

As a result of ACS’s targeted strategies and initiatives, 44 percent of children in New York City’s foster care system are living with kinship caregivers – up from 31% in 2018. Moreover, during FY23, more than half of all the children who entered foster care as a result of a child protective investigation were placed with kinship caregivers.

 

The agency has successfully implemented multiple strategies to increase the proportion of children in care placed with kin, including by establishing Kinship Specialist positions within the ACS Division of Child Protection, who focus on finding and engaging kin caregivers for children entering foster care. When a kinship resource is identified, the foster care case planner works with the resource to certify their home as a foster home. Kin are held to the same safety standards and training expectations as non-kin foster parents and must meet all foster home requirements. They receive the same financial resources and other supports that non-kinship foster parents receive. ACS and its community partners strive to support kin so that children can stay closely connected to their natural support networks.