Scanlon, Thompson Introduce Legislation to Protect Grandfamilies Affected by Substance Misuse

Scanlon, Thompson Introduce Legislation to Protect Grandfamilies Affected by Substance Misuse

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) today introduced the bipartisan Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, legislation that would strengthen support for grandfamilies and other kinship caregivers by ensuring they have access to the services and resources they need to help children thrive. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced the Senate companion bill.

Nearly 2.5 million children are being raised in kinship families or "grandfamilies" by relatives or close family friends without their parents in the home, and the vast majority of these children are raised outside of the foster care system. For every child in foster care living with relatives, there are 18 being raised by relatives outside of the foster care system. Kinship caregivers often receive little or no support to meet the complex needs of children, especially those who have experienced trauma, and are left to navigate complicated child welfare support systems on their own.

"Navigating the child welfare system can be a stressful experience for children and caregivers already experiencing hardship, especially grandfamilies," said Rep. Scanlon. "It's important that we abolish systemic barriers that prevent all children and families from successfully navigating the child welfare system. I'm proud to introduce the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Abuse Act to set up children and families for brighter futures."

"Stability is the foundation for a child's quality of life and future success. For many children, this stability is found in the care of a grandparent or kinship caregiver who can provide a safe and loving home," said Rep. Thompson. "I am proud to support the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act to ensure these caregivers and children have access to the services they need."

The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act would:

• Ensure that grandfamilies and all kinship families are eligible for services under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).

• Provide additional support to these families to meet the unique needs of children who have experienced trauma, including being exposed to substance misuse.

• Call for specialized training to help kinship caregivers navigate the complicated supports and services they may be eligible to receive.

• Coordinate with the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center that Congress created to disseminate information on best practices used to support children being raised in kinship families within or outside of the child welfare system.

The bill is endorsed by the National Foster Youth Institute and Generations United.

"The National Foster Youth Institute proudly supports the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act because it reflects what young people with lived experience have shared with us for years: kinship caregivers should be the first stop and are often the reason children remain connected to their family, culture, identity, and community, yet too many are left to do it without the support they need," said Cortez L. Carey, Director of Government Relations at the National Foster Youth Institute. "We believe preserving those cultural connections is essential to a child's well-being. By investing in grandparents, relatives, and other trusted caregivers, this legislation strengthens families, honors cultural preservation, and helps more children heal, thrive, and have a support system beyond the age of 18."

"Grandparents and other kin caregivers often step in during a family crisis to keep children safe, connected, and surrounded by people they know and trust. Yet the systems intended to support families do not always fully recognize or respond to the circumstances of kinship families," said Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director of Generations United. "The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act makes important, practical improvements to CAPTA by more clearly including kinship families in prevention services, caregiver training, and supports for children who have experienced trauma. Generations United is pleased to endorse this legislation again, and we thank Congresswoman Scanlon and the bill's sponsors for their continued attention to the needs of kinship families."

Find the full bill text here.

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