U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE BRIEFING ON KINSHIP CARE IN SUPPORT OF

THE KINSHIP CAREGIVER SUPPORT ACT(H.R. 2188 and S. 661)

Presented by

Dr. Joseph Crumbley, LCSW

Phone # 215-884-7889E-Mail: office@drcrumbley.comWebsite: www.drcrumbley.com

Controversial Issues About Kinship Controversial Issues About Kinship CareCare

1.1. Why pay or support caregivers for what they should Why pay or support caregivers for what they should do?do? Caregivers should be taking care of their Caregivers should be taking care of their relatives’ children. That’s what family members do.relatives’ children. That’s what family members do.

2.2. Kinship families don’t have the same rights, nor Kinship families don’t have the same rights, nor should they be treated the same as “real” familiesshould they be treated the same as “real” families (i.e., single/two-parent, adoptive or foster families). (i.e., single/two-parent, adoptive or foster families). Caregivers aren’t the child’s “real” parents. Some of Caregivers aren’t the child’s “real” parents. Some of them aren’t even related to the child’s family. Some them aren’t even related to the child’s family. Some of these caregivers may be the cause of the parents’ of these caregivers may be the cause of the parents’ problems.problems.

3.3. Kinship families are temporary, not permanentKinship families are temporary, not permanent..

Why We Need Kinship CareWhy We Need Kinship Care

1.1. Kinship care is the “flood gate” protecting the Kinship care is the “flood gate” protecting the child welfare system from:child welfare system from:

a.a. The enormous number of children that could The enormous number of children that could potentially overwhelm the child welfare system if they potentially overwhelm the child welfare system if they came into care (2.5 million children).came into care (2.5 million children).11

b.b. The enormous cost to the taxpayers for providing care The enormous cost to the taxpayers for providing care to these children (approximately $6.5 billion per/year if to these children (approximately $6.5 billion per/year if only one million children come into care). only one million children come into care). 22

2.2. Kinship care is a “safety net” and support to Kinship care is a “safety net” and support to families and the child welfare system.families and the child welfare system.

a.a. 25% - 35% of all the children in the care or custody of 25% - 35% of all the children in the care or custody of child welfare are living in kinship care. child welfare are living in kinship care. 33

b.b. 6 million (1 out of 12) children in the United States are 6 million (1 out of 12) children in the United States are living in a household that is headed by either living in a household that is headed by either grandparents or relatives (other than their parents). grandparents or relatives (other than their parents). 44

c.c. 78% of the children in kinship care have had no 78% of the children in kinship care have had no

involvement with the child welfare system involvement with the child welfare system 55

13% that have encountered the child welfare 13% that have encountered the child welfare system have been diverted to voluntary kinship system have been diverted to voluntary kinship families families 66

5%-9% have been placed in kinship foster care 5%-9% have been placed in kinship foster care 77

d.d. 1 out of 10 grandparents as some point in their 1 out of 10 grandparents as some point in their

life have been the primary support for a life have been the primary support for a grandchild grandchild 88

4.5 million children are living in grandparent 4.5 million children are living in grandparent headed households (5.3% of children); 1.5 million headed households (5.3% of children); 1.5 million are with other relativesare with other relatives

2.4 million grandparents in the United States have 2.4 million grandparents in the United States have primary responsibility for their grandchildren primary responsibility for their grandchildren 99

2.3 million children are now being raised by 2.3 million children are now being raised by relatives; in homes in which the parents are relatives; in homes in which the parents are absent absent 1010

3.3. Kinship care provides better outcomes for Kinship care provides better outcomes for children than non-relative foster care.children than non-relative foster care.

a.a. There are less multiple placements. There are less multiple placements. 1111

b.b. More stable connections and contacts between the More stable connections and contacts between the children and their birth family, schools, churches and children and their birth family, schools, churches and community. community. 1212

c.c. Lower rates of re-entry into foster care when re-Lower rates of re-entry into foster care when re-unification with parents occur after kinship care, unification with parents occur after kinship care, compared to non-relative foster or group care. compared to non-relative foster or group care. 1313

d.d. Children feel more of a sense of belonging, love and Children feel more of a sense of belonging, love and connections. connections. 1414

e.e. Less disruptions of placements, due to running away Less disruptions of placements, due to running away or trying to leave. or trying to leave. 1515

f.f. More likely to live with siblings, if placed with kin. More likely to live with siblings, if placed with kin. 1616

Reasons for Supporting Kinship Care and Reasons for Supporting Kinship Care and the Kinship Care Support Actthe Kinship Care Support Act

1.1. Visible Stress Fractures, Factors and IndicatorsVisible Stress Fractures, Factors and Indicators 54% of the children in kinship care live in a household 54% of the children in kinship care live in a household

below the federal poverty level, compared to 16% living below the federal poverty level, compared to 16% living in parent-headed households in parent-headed households 1717

19% of the grandparents providing kinship care are 19% of the grandparents providing kinship care are below the poverty level below the poverty level 1818

27% of the children with grandparents lack health 27% of the children with grandparents lack health insurance, compared to 10% who live with at least one insurance, compared to 10% who live with at least one parent parent 1919

The request for “child only grants” and TANF is The request for “child only grants” and TANF is increasing, for which the TANF system is not prepared increasing, for which the TANF system is not prepared 2020

70% of relative caregivers do not access TANF or any 70% of relative caregivers do not access TANF or any public assistance public assistance 2121

TANF covers 57% of the annual cost to raise a childTANF covers 57% of the annual cost to raise a child2222

19% of children live in households of 4 or more children19% of children live in households of 4 or more children2323

There has been a 30% increase in relative care There has been a 30% increase in relative care families since the 1990’sfamilies since the 1990’s2424

35% of the grandparents are between 50 and 59 years 35% of the grandparents are between 50 and 59 years old; 21% are between 60 and 69; 8% are 70 and old; 21% are between 60 and 69; 8% are 70 and olderolder2525

47% of the grandparents are White; 29% are Black; 47% of the grandparents are White; 29% are Black; 17% are Hispanic/Latino; 3% are Asian; 2% are Native 17% are Hispanic/Latino; 3% are Asian; 2% are Native AmericanAmerican2626

Grandparent caregivers are likely to neglect their own Grandparent caregivers are likely to neglect their own medical needs in order to meet their children’s needsmedical needs in order to meet their children’s needs2727

Over 50% of the 2.4 million grandparents are working Over 50% of the 2.4 million grandparents are working or have returned to workor have returned to work2828

54% have cared for their grandchildren for at least 3 54% have cared for their grandchildren for at least 3 years; 39% for 5 or more yearsyears; 39% for 5 or more years2929

55% of the caregivers are single households 55% of the caregivers are single households 3030

Children show a greater degree of physical, behavioral Children show a greater degree of physical, behavioral and emotional problems than the general population and emotional problems than the general population often due to the difficult situations that caused them often due to the difficult situations that caused them to be place with their relatives. to be place with their relatives. 3131

Debatable Issues:Debatable Issues:

1.1. Should caregivers be paid for or supported for Should caregivers be paid for or supported for doing what they should do?doing what they should do?

2.2. Are kinship families “real families”, that deserve Are kinship families “real families”, that deserve the same status, entitlements and support of the same status, entitlements and support of other families (i.e., parental, adoptive, foster other families (i.e., parental, adoptive, foster families?families?

3.3. Are kinship families temporary or permanent?Are kinship families temporary or permanent?

Non-Debatable Issues and Points of Non-Debatable Issues and Points of

Agreement and Consensus:Agreement and Consensus:

1.1. Kinship care is needed by the Kinship care is needed by the child welfare child welfare systemsystem as a safety net and flood gate. as a safety net and flood gate.

2.2. Kinship care is needed to prevent the increased Kinship care is needed to prevent the increased cost to cost to taxpayerstaxpayers for children coming into for children coming into care.care.

3.3. Kinship care is needed by the Kinship care is needed by the childrenchildren because because of the stability and permanency caregivers of the stability and permanency caregivers provide.provide.

Bottom Line:Bottom Line:

We need kinship care.We need kinship care.

ChildrenChildren Child Welfare SystemChild Welfare System TaxpayersTaxpayers

Therefore, we need to support the Kinship Therefore, we need to support the Kinship Caregiver Caregiver Support Act so that kinship families and Support Act so that kinship families and caregivers can continue to do their job.caregivers can continue to do their job.

References and BibliographyReferences and Bibliography11 U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000. As U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000. As

described in Pennsylvania: described in Pennsylvania: A State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other A State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children.Relatives Raising Children. A factsheet produced by six (6) agencies, including A factsheet produced by six (6) agencies, including AARP. Last updated May 2007.AARP. Last updated May 2007.

2 2 This figure was calculated based on the federal share of the 2000 average This figure was calculated based on the federal share of the 2000 average monthly foster care maintenance payment, which was estimated at $545. As monthly foster care maintenance payment, which was estimated at $545. As referenced in “Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: The referenced in “Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: The Second Intergenerational Action Agenda.” Generations United. January 2005.Second Intergenerational Action Agenda.” Generations United. January 2005.

3 3 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AFCARS, preliminary estimates U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AFCARS, preliminary estimates as of March 2003. As referenced in Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising as of March 2003. As referenced in Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: The Second Intergenerational Action Agenda.” Generations United. Children: The Second Intergenerational Action Agenda.” Generations United. January 2005.January 2005.

44 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

5 5 See No. 2 above.See No. 2 above.

6 6 See No. 2 above.See No. 2 above.

77 See No. 2 above. See No. 2 above.

88 PA Department of Aging website. PA Department of Aging website. http://www.aging.state.pa.ushttp://www.aging.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Six-Part Fact Sheet Series.Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Six-Part Fact Sheet Series. Last Last updated April 23, 2007.updated April 23, 2007.

99 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

1010 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

1111 Testa, M. 2001. Testa, M. 2001. Kinship care and permanencyKinship care and permanency. Journal of Social Service Research, . Journal of Social Service Research, Vol. 28 (1) pp.25-43; Chambelain, P., et al. 2006. Vol. 28 (1) pp.25-43; Chambelain, P., et al. 2006. Who disrupts from placement in Who disrupts from placement in foster and kinship care?foster and kinship care? Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 30, pp.409-424. Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 30, pp.409-424.

1212 See No. 11 above. See No. 11 above.

1313 Courtney, M. & Needell, B. “Outcomes of kinship care: Lessons from California.” In Courtney, M. & Needell, B. “Outcomes of kinship care: Lessons from California.” In Child welfare research reviewChild welfare research review. Vol. 2. J.D. Berrick, R.P. Barth and N. Gilbert, eds. . Vol. 2. J.D. Berrick, R.P. Barth and N. Gilbert, eds. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997, pp.130-149.New York: Columbia University Press, 1997, pp.130-149.

1414 Wilson, L. Satisfaction of 1,100 Children in Out-of-Home Care, Primarily Family Wilson, L. Satisfaction of 1,100 Children in Out-of-Home Care, Primarily Family Foster Care, in Illinois’ Child Welfare System. Tallahassee, FL: Wilson Resources, Foster Care, in Illinois’ Child Welfare System. Tallahassee, FL: Wilson Resources, 1996.1996.

1515 National Survey of Child and Adolescent well-Being (NSCAW) CPS Sample National Survey of Child and Adolescent well-Being (NSCAW) CPS Sample Component Wave 1 Data Analysis Report, April 2005. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Component Wave 1 Data Analysis Report, April 2005. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, 2005).2005).

1616 Shlonsky, A., Webster, D., & Needell, B. 2003. Shlonsky, A., Webster, D., & Needell, B. 2003. The ties that bind: A cross-The ties that bind: A cross-sectional analysis of siblings in foster care.sectional analysis of siblings in foster care. Journal of Social Service Journal of Social Service Research, Vol. 29 (3) pp. 27-52.; Wulczyn, F. & Zimmerman, E. 2005. Research, Vol. 29 (3) pp. 27-52.; Wulczyn, F. & Zimmerman, E. 2005. Sibling placements in longitudinal perspectiveSibling placements in longitudinal perspective. Children and Youth Services . Children and Youth Services Review, Vol. 27 pp. 741-763.Review, Vol. 27 pp. 741-763.

1717 Murray, Macomber and Geen. “Estimating Financial Support for Kinship Murray, Macomber and Geen. “Estimating Financial Support for Kinship Caregivers.” Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. 2004 .Caregivers.” Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. 2004 .

1818 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

1919 Elders as ResourcesElders as Resources. Annie E. Casey Factsheet. 2005.. Annie E. Casey Factsheet. 2005.

2020 Table 42, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – Active Cases, TANF Table 42, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – Active Cases, TANF Families with no adult recipients receiving cash assistance October 2003 – Families with no adult recipients receiving cash assistance October 2003 – September 2004September 2004. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family . Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance. Retrieved December 6, 2006 from Assistance. Retrieved December 6, 2006 from http://www.acf.hhs.gov//programs/ofa/character/FY2004/tab42.htmhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov//programs/ofa/character/FY2004/tab42.htm..

2121 See No. 20 above. See No. 20 above.

2222 See No. 20 above. See No. 20 above.

2323 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

2424 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

2525 Grandparents Living with Grandchildren: Census 2000 Brief. Issued October Grandparents Living with Grandchildren: Census 2000 Brief. Issued October 2003.2003.

2626 See No. 1 above. See No. 1 above.

2727 Grandparents and Other Relative Raising Children: The Second Grandparents and Other Relative Raising Children: The Second Intergenerational Action AgendaIntergenerational Action Agenda. Generations United. January 2005. Page . Generations United. January 2005. Page 33.33.

2828 Generations United Fact Sheet. Washington D.C. 2006. Generations United Fact Sheet. Washington D.C. 2006.

2929 See No. 25 above. See No. 25 above.

3030 Ehrle, Green and Clarke, “Children Cared For By Relatives: Who Are They Ehrle, Green and Clarke, “Children Cared For By Relatives: Who Are They And How Are They Faring?”. Urban Institute. Washington, D.C., 2001.And How Are They Faring?”. Urban Institute. Washington, D.C., 2001.

3131 Altshuler, S.J., (1998). Child Well-Being in Kinship Foster Care: Similar to, or Altshuler, S.J., (1998). Child Well-Being in Kinship Foster Care: Similar to, or Different From, Non-Related Foster Care, Children and Youth Services Different From, Non-Related Foster Care, Children and Youth Services Review 20, 369-88. As described in Review 20, 369-88. As described in Grandparents and Other Relatives Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: The Second Intergenerational Action AgendaRaising Children: The Second Intergenerational Action Agenda. Generations . Generations United. January 2005. Page 33.United. January 2005. Page 33.