This blog post was written with Jaia Peterson Lent, Generations United's Deputy Executive Director
Today, people are so disconnected that they feel they are blades of grass, but when they know who their grandparents and great-grandparents were, they become trees, they have roots, they can no longer be mowed down. Maya Angelou
In otherwise contentious and turbulent times, Congress is coming together to support a fundamental American value--family. The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2016 passed the House but now faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
It's no surprise that research confirms what most people know--children fare better in families.
This landmark child welfare legislation includes an array of services and policy changes, many of which are of critical importance to keeping children in families.
And those families are often grandfamilies (also known as families where grandparents and other relatives are raising children or kinship care).
If passed, it will be good news for the more than 2.5 million children currently being raised in grandfamilies. For the first time, this Act will allow federal child welfare dollars to be used for services to prevent children from entering foster care.
Why does this matter? Let's look at the numbers.
Of the 2.5 million children in grandfamilies, only 28%--or less than 114,000--are in foster care and part of the child welfare system. Historically, because they are not in the system, this has meant little to no support or services for the children, their caregivers or their parents.
Children shouldn't have to come into the child welfare system to receive services that strengthen a family so they can stay together under one roof and thrive.
Among other things, the Family First Prevention Services Act will help grandfamilies succeed by:
•allowing for federal reimbursement for prevention services and programs for children in imminent risk of entering foster care such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, in-home training and support services, and kinship navigator programs
•addressing barriers to licensing relatives as foster parents
•putting policies in place to ensure every child in foster care gets a family
•reauthorizing programs that incentivize permanent families for children through adoption and legal guardianship
Annette*, a grandmother in New York testified about how prevention services like kinship navigator programs proved critical for her grandchild and family.
For years she and her husband faced overwhelming challenges trying to get custody of their granddaughter who was neglected while living with her mother who was abusing drugs.
Then she learned about and contacted the New York State Kinship Navigator.
The program helped her find her way through systems, assisted with paperwork, referred her to a local support group, and helped her access legal advice.
She could hardly express her relief to the navigator staff, "Finally someone understands and cares. I really don't know what grandparents would do without you."
Annette's granddaughter, Brittany* has been with her grandfamily now for several years. She is now 13 years old and thriving.
Brittany loves school, and she loves her family.
All children deserve what she now has--a safe and stable family where they can grow roots and thrive.
As a country, where would we be without grandparents and other relatives who are sacrificing to raise the children in their care? The Senate needs to do the right thing and put families first.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.