San Diego County is marking National Kinship Care Month this September by highlighting the contributions of relatives and family friends who take on the responsibility of raising children whose parents are unable to care for them.
Kinship caregivers include grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, godparents, stepparents, and close family friends who provide homes for children in need. These arrangements offer children the opportunity to remain connected to their families during difficult times.
According to county data, approximately half of all children currently in out-of-home care placements in San Diego County are living with kinship caregivers rather than in traditional foster care settings. The county provides support services to help these caregivers create stable environments for the children in their care.
The national observance, held annually in September, aims to raise awareness about the vital role kinship caregivers play in child welfare systems across the country.