Bill > AJR220

This Joint Resolution officially designates September of each year as "Kinship Care Month" in New Jersey to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role of kinship caregivers, who are relatives or close family friends providing care for children in place of their biological parents, whether formally through an agency or informally within the family. The resolution highlights that kinship care is a preferred placement for children removed from their homes because it maintains familial and cultural connections, offers stability, and reduces trauma, noting that in 2021, a significant number of children in New Jersey's foster care system were placed with licensed kinship foster parents. By establishing this annual observance, New Jersey joins other states and federal entities in raising awareness about the efforts of kinship caregivers and showcasing the achievements of children benefiting from these arrangements, with the Governor also being requested to issue a proclamation each year to encourage appropriate public observance.

Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/AJR220