Designates September of each year as "Kinship Care Month" in New Jersey.
The resolution underscores the state's recognition of kinship placements as the preferred option for children in the state custody system. The Department of Children and Families is mandated to prioritize placements with suitable relatives, ensuring that children can grow up in supportive and nurturing settings. With statistics indicating that over 1,200 children in New Jersey's foster care system were placed with licensed kinship foster parents, this measure affirms the importance of these arrangements in providing children with a sense of stability and belonging.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 220, introduced in the New Jersey 220th Legislature, seeks to officially designate the month of September as 'Kinship Care Month' in New Jersey. This designation aims to recognize the crucial role that kinship caregivers play in providing stable and safe environments for children who must be removed from their biological parents. By highlighting kinship care, the resolution seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining familial connections and the cultural ties that kinship caregiving supports.
By designating September as 'Kinship Care Month', New Jersey joins other states and national agencies in celebrating the vital contributions of kinship caregivers. The resolution encourages community involvement and the issuance of a proclamation by the Governor to recognize this month formally. While the resolution is likely to foster broad support given its focus on child welfare, it may also serve as a platform for discussions on the challenges that kinship caregivers face, such as resource access and support for their unique needs in fostering children.