Sincerely,

 - KCRC Staff

Is there a kinship topic you want us to cover more in-depth in a future newsletter? If so, let us know by e-mailing us at kinship@msu.edu.

Foster Care Navigators

This agency is dedicated to helping families work through the process of entering foster care.  They help locate licensing agencies as well as helping clients understand their responsibilities and what to expect next.  It can be a good resource to link a client to who will be going into the foster care system.  Their web link can be found below.

http://www.fcnp.org/ 

Child Welfare Information Gateway

This is information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway provided by the AARP.  This information is intended to assist grandparents working in the child welfare system. 

https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/promoting/parenting/relative.com 

Research: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in the United States: Changing Family Forms, Stagnant Social Policies

Abstract: As a consequence of increased divorce rates, the proliferation of single-parent families, and patterns of economic stagnation, parents are increasingly relying on extended family to care for children. In the past few decades, a substantial increase in the number of grandparents raising grandchildren has been observed within the United States. Grandparents who raise their grandchildren are particularly vulnerable, as are the grandchildren in their care; however, U.S. policy currently presents many barriers, gaps, and unintended consequences for grandparent caregivers.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2888319/

Undocumented Youth

Thousands of undocumented individuals live in the state of Michigan, yet there is very little discussion regarding resources for and awareness of this population. These undocumented youth face many challenges; uncertainty surrounding their parents' legal status, lack of access to resources such as food assistance, and often the traumatic experience of being removed from their home and placed in kinship care or foster care.  As professionals working with children and families, there are a number of ways that you can help.

Firstly, remain cognizant of this population and the challenges they face. Don't simply assume that all immigrant families and children you will work with are documented and have legal status, or that you must report undocumented children or families. DHS policy states the Department of Human Services workers are prohibited from reporting undocumented individuals applying for the Bridge Card to Immigrant authorities. Inform yourself on this topic so that you are able to be an advocate for a population that has an incredibly limited voice and very few resources available to them. Educate yourself on your agency's policies and services that may influence your work with immigrants, especially undocumented youth.

Secondly, educate yourself on the resources and information that is available to the undocumented population. Below are some resources that you may find helpful in working with immigrants and the

undocumented population:

• SIJ Visa: the Special Immigrant Juveniles Visa is a program that allows undocumented minors who have been placed in the child welfare system to apply for a green card. For children in foster care, this visa is a very quick and direct route to gaining citizenship. Visit http://sji.gov/PDF/SIJ_Status.pdf for more information.

• VAWA: Under the Violence Against Women Act, undocumented women and children who have been abused, trafficked, or sexually assaulted can petition to be granted legal status in the United States. Under this act, undocumented individuals who already live in the United States who are victims of domestic violence and leave their abusive partner may be granted legal status and regain parental rights of children if they have been taken away as a result of the domestic violence. For more information about this act, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/general-keywords/vawa 

• Michigan State University and the University of Michigan support an immigration law clinic that works to provide information and resources regarding obtaining citizenship or legal status. For more information about the Michigan State University Immigration Law Clinic, visit: http://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/immigration/about.html or call 517-432-6800.

• More information about the University of Michigan law clinic can be found by visiting https://www.law.umich.edu/clinical/pages/default.aspxor by calling (734) 764-1358

   

YMCA Summer Camps

I know it is still cold out but the time to start thinking about and looking into summer camps is right around the corner.  YMCA offers camps across the state and has financial aid available to assist low income families.  It can be a good idea to pass this along to families you work with to ensure that their children get some fun outdoors experiences this summer.  More information can be found at the link below.

http://www.michiganymcacamps.org/?gclid=COe-45L89rwCFQ5gMgodugcAYQ

Generations United

Generations United produced this nifty little TANF fact sheet.  It focuses specifically on supports for kinship care through TANF.  It may be a good resource to pass along to families you are working with to help broaden their understanding on resources available to them.

http://gu.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xb7UFhBPwUE%3D&tabid=157&mid=606

Michigan Education and Training voucher

Some of the families you are working with may have children that are beginning to look at paying for college. If those children have spent time in Foster Care they may qualify for assistance through the Michigan Education and Training voucher program. Check out information the information from Lutheran Social Services.  https://mietv.lssm.org/default.aspx

Michigan Tuition Incentive Program  This can require a little more planning but there is also college financial support for low-income families who are not a part of the child welfare program. The Michigan Tuition Incentive Program is for youth who are determined eligible through their utilization of Medicaid through DHS. Youth can become TIP eligible as young as 12 years old so this resource can help families with planning now. Check out http://www.michigan.gov/documents/FactSheetTIP_161201_7.pdf for more information.