What's happening
The bill requires local social services districts to provide written information and resources to both relative and non-relative kinship caregivers.
Why it matters
Expands support beyond relatives. By explicitly including non-relative kinship caregivers, the bill recognizes and supports a wider range of adults who step in to care for children, not just blood relatives, potentially helping more children stay in familiar environments outside of foster care.
Ensures access to key information. Requiring written materials about financial aid (“child only grants”), foster parent processes, and available local resources means caregivers are more likely to be aware of supports they might otherwise miss, reducing confusion and bureaucratic barriers.
Standardizes and modernizes communication. Mandating that information be provided both in-person and through accessible online platforms ensures resources are easier to find regardless of a caregiver’s tech comfort level, which could improve equity in access to support.
Connects caregivers to local and state resources. By directing social services districts to include contact information and details about kinship programs, the bill could help caregivers navigate complex systems, find assistance more quickly, and ultimately promote stability for children in their care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Support Kinship Caregivers Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.399
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.98
- Substituted for A569
- Referred to children and families
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.135
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to children and families
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Support for Kinship Caregivers
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Ellen C. Jaffee
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2714
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to services for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 392 of the social services law, as added by section 3 of part F of chapter 58 of the laws of 2010, is amended read as follows:
§ 392. Services for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when a local social services district is in contact with a relative or non-relative kinship caregiver or a suitable person who the district has approached about being a kinship caregiver, [local social services districts] such district shall [make] provide written information as described in subdivision two of this section to such caregivers or prospective suitable persons. Such information shall also be made available through the [district's] website [or] of both the office and the district and by other appropriate means [information for] in a manner accessible to relatives and non-relatives caring for children outside of the foster care system.
2. Such information shall include but not [necessarily] be limited to:
[1.] a. information relating to child only grants, including but not limited to, how to apply for child only grants; [and]
b. information about how to become a kinship foster parent and other options for care; and
[2.] c. information on how to contact the department of family assistance [or] kinship programs and any resources funded through or operating in the local [department of] social services [funded resources] district for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers, including those that
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02788-01-9
S. 2714 2
provide supportive services for all relative and non-relative kinship caregivers in the district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to services for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers
Purpose
This bill would ensure that local districts inform both contacted care- givers and potential caregivers about services, and that local districts establish referral procedures, which connect all kinship families with the local kinship programs, or, when applicable, permanency resource centers.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill amends Section 392 of the social services law by adding language specifying that written information regarding how to become a kinship foster parent and other options for care, and how to contact the department of family assistance or kinship programs and/or resources.
Section two of the bill sets for the effective date.
Justification
In New York State, grandparents, other relatives, and family friends provide full time care for an estimated 200,000 children, with less than 3,400 of these children in foster care. Commonly called kinship care, these families are a critical resource for the wellbeing of vulnerable children.
This bill clarifies how local districts will help kinship families by connecting them to information and services. County social services districts are required by current Social Services Law Section 392 to inform kinship caregivers about the child only grant. However, as reported by kinship caregivers and professionals, provision of informa- tion is inconsistent and sometimes absent. Given the need of local districts to rely on kinship families as resources for children, the legislature acknowledges the importance of kinship families and the necessity of ensuring that all kinship families who are in contact with local districts are informed of eligible services and connected to supportive services.
Prior legislative history
2018 Session: S.8047 - new legislation referred to Children & Families, no further action taken.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Sixty days after having become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.