September 2022: Kinship Care Month

WHEREAS, in Michigan, over 4,100 children in foster care and approximately 49,000 children not in foster care are raised in kinship families; and,

WHEREAS, kinship families are made up of non-parent family members who care for children and provide them with a sense of connection, security, and ties to their cultural heritage, family, and community; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan acknowledges and honors the daily achievements of kinship caregivers who are pivotal in raising and nurturing the next generation of children while increasing their ability to succeed and thrive; and, 

WHEREAS, every child in Michigan deserves the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive, loving, safe home environment while retaining a sense of family, cultural heritage, and community ties; and,

WHEREAS, kinship caregiving is found in all socioeconomic, educational, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, providing many opportunities as well as unique challenges; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to partnering with public and private organizations to prioritize a kin-first culture, where children are raised within their families whenever possible, and those families are celebrated for their strengths and expertise; and,

WHEREAS, a kin-first culture is in alignment with the precepts of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Services Agency which is committed to examining existing policies, programs, and services with the goal of achieving equity and justice for all residents; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to supporting kinship families who are raising a relative’s child on their own or with the support of the child welfare system; and,

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month provides an opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of countless children and youth throughout our state and nation, who with the unconditional support of grandparents and other relatives, have successfully come through the emotional trauma of separation from their parents; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is grateful for the many kinship caregivers who provide youth with a safe and secure environment that offers a foundation of love and support, and the sense of belonging that comes with being part of a family;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2022 as Kinship Care Month in Michigan. I encourage all Michigan residents to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of kinship caregivers and the children they are raising in stable, loving, and nurturing households.