Nearly forty state-based organizations of foster and kinship families write to Congress to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on foster and kin families and the children they are caring for. They highlight pressing needs of foster and kinship families, including:
- Children and families involved in child welfare and the professionals who support them need access to rapid testing along with other first responders.
- Foster families and kinship caregivers need economic security so they are able to continue their caregiving.
- Families and children need timely access to physical and mental health care for children and youth in foster care and those who leave foster care to reunification, adoption and guardianship.
- Foster, adoptive, and kinship family recruitment, training and licensing should be a national priority today and in the future.
- Families and workers need technology tools, including cell phones, laptops and internet.
- Children who have special needs require extra support with home schooling.
- Foster families, adoptive, and kinship caregivers need peer support.
See the full letter here.