KINSHIP CARE MONTH
2024
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the youth of North Carolina are our most precious resource and hope for the future, and all children deserve a safe, loving, and nurturing place to call home; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 10,452 children and youth in the foster care system in North Carolina with 2,852 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 ensure 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 a vital 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, 2024, as “KINSHIP CARE MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
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Roy Cooper
Governor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.