California is the only state in the country that does not offer state foster care benefits to children placed with relatives.
The Alliance for Children’s Rights, along with other agency partners, has created the Step Up coalition to serve as a voice for children being raised by relatives, many of whom live in poverty. These relatives “step up” to take care of their great grandchildren, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews when their parents cannot or will not.
As current and future social workers, it is pertinent that we educate ourselves on the specific issues facing kinship foster families. The Step Up coalition is currently working on legislation to address this issue. Please take a few moments to visit the Step Up website at www.stepupforkin.org to learn more about issues facing kinship foster families and how you can become involved.
Together, we can help kinship families raise their voices.
Sincerely,
Dassy Sasson DeBasc
MSW Candidate, CSUN
