Governor Proclaims Kinship Care Month 2023

WHEREAS, the youth of North Carolina are our most precious resource and hope for the future; all children deserve a safe, loving, and nurturing place to call home; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 10,175 children and youth in the foster care system in North Carolina with 2,831 placed in kinship care; and

WHEREAS, kinship care is one of the most vital structures for providing North Carolina’s children with love, dignity, and belonging and to ensuring a sense of physical and emotional safety; and

WHEREAS, kinship families open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, and play an important role helping children and families heal and reunify, while launching children into successful adulthood; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina encourages the preservation of kinship care connections as one of its transformational goals while honoring kinship caregivers and their crucial role in serving young people; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous individuals, communities, and public and private organizations working to increase public awareness of the unique needs of children in foster care placed with kinship care providers, and of the enduring and valuable contributions made by kinship families; and

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month is an opportunity to recognize the kinship care providers who open their hearts to provide children with a sense of connection, security, and ties to their culture, family, and community, as well as child welfare professionals and advocates working to ensure children’s safety, permanence, and well-being, and to spread awareness on behalf of the children in kinship care; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages people to volunteer their time, energy, and talents on behalf of children in foster care and their biological families, kinship caregivers, and foster parents during this month and throughout the year;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September, 2023, as “KINSHIP CARE MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.