Kinship Care Month is recognized in S.C.
Gov. Henry McMaster has declared September as Kinship Care Month in South Carolina. During this month, the South Carolina Department of Social Services would like to celebrate grandparents, aunts, uncles, relatives, and family friends who take in children who might otherwise go into foster care. Kinship care refers to a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or nonrelated adult, also known as fictive kin, has assumed full-time care of a child whose parents are unable to do so. According to the latest Kids Count data, about 6 percent of all children in the state live with a relative with no parent present. “Kinship caregivers provide safe and loving homes for children when they are unable to remain with their parent or custodian,” said DSS State Director Michael Leach. “These relatives, whether they be grandparents, aunts, uncles or other family, are an incredible support for a child or young person they love. The sacrifices they make ensure stability and we as an agency are proud to recognize and support them in any way possible.” Kinship Care Month helps to increase awareness and understanding of the positive and stable environment that kinship families offer many children in the Palmetto State. For more information, visit https://dss.sc.gov/prevention/kinship
