Declare Kinship Care Month

Senate Resolution No. 394 BY: Senator GOLDEN MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2017, 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 2017, 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 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 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 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, Kinship Care Month honors the priceless role these grandparents 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 former 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 2017, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.