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.