Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as "National Kinship Care Month".

This resolution expresses strong support for designating September 2025 as "National Kinship Care Month" to recognize and celebrate the critical role of kinship caregivers. It highlights that kinship care involves grandparents, siblings, and other relatives or fictive kin providing full-time care for over 2.5 million children, often due to unforeseen circumstances like parental substance use or disability. The resolution emphasizes that kinship caregivers prevent the foster care system from being overwhelmed and save taxpayers billions annually, despite often receiving less assistance than non-relative foster parents. It notes the disproportionate impact on Black and American Indian/Alaska Native children, who are overrepresented in kinship care arrangements. Research indicates that kinship care significantly benefits children by minimizing trauma, improving behavioral and mental health, promoting family ties, and providing greater permanency. The resolution encourages Congress to enact policies that improve the lives of vulnerable children by supporting kinship families. It also honors the dedication of these caregivers and advocates, reaffirming the need to enhance outcomes for vulnerable children through existing federal programs. Specifically, it calls for investments in prevention and reunification services and ensuring kinship caregivers receive essential supports, including Kinship Navigator programs .