Senator Dennis Parrett testified today before the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources on his pre-filed kinship care bill. He was joined by longtime kinship care advocate Norma Hatfield.
Parrett’s legislation (BR 247) would re-establish the kinship care program to provide a more permanent placement with a qualified relative for a child, who would otherwise be placed in foster care due to abuse, neglect or the death of both parents.
Hatfield discussed the hardship many grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives accept when they, often unexpectedly, start caring for one or more children. Currently, there are about 70,000 children living with relatives.
To read Sen. Parrett’s full pre-filed bill, click here.