Kinship Events
EVENTS CALENDAR
DECEMBER
December 8
Fostering Connections Regional Roundtable
9:00am-4:00pm
New York, NY
Join us for a lively discussion on current opportunities and critical challenges in implementing "The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008". We will bring you up to the minute program and policy information on key aspects of the law including: kinship care, health care, Title IV-E Training Funds, and Education. Come learn about current federal guidance, share strategies for implementation, and discuss critical supports for implementing this landmark legislation. Also hear the latest information on home visiting and the White House Conference on Children and Youth. JOIN US in New York City for this important, free event! To participate, you must REGISTER in advance online at http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=9f1364b8-e2e9-4cec-b002-72c90b7db0dd Special thanks to Casey Family Programs for funding this educational opportunity.
JANUARY
January 28, 2010
Parenting the Second Time Around Training
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Ithaca
130 East Seneca St
Ithaca, NY 14850
Please see our registration form for more information and how to enroll. Deadline for registration is Tuesday, January 5th 2010.
January 29, 2010
A Conversation with State Senator Montgomery
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
9:30am-2:00pm
Are you a kincaregiver? Join us for a conversation with Senator Montgomery! Learn what resources are available to you and listen to others experiences. Lunch and Metrocard provided.To register, call 718-643-6140 by Januray 22, 2010.
February 3, 2010
The New York State Kincare Coalition and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Children and Families, presented a program to more than 150 caregivers at the Kincare Conversation and Resource Fair in Brooklyn on Friday, January 29th. Kincaregivers spoke out on the challenges and joys of raising a grandchild and other relative kin. Among many challenges, one of the most prominent topics was the need to find supportive services for their teenage children. However, it was clear that the kincaregivers cared for the wellbeing of the children in their care. Fifteen agencies, representatives, service providers and community based organizations provided information on the resources and benefits currently available to help kincaregivers raise their relative kin.
Media garnered from this event were: Fox 5, NPR, Courier Newspapers and the Brooklyn Eagle. Listen to the audio clip here: http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/149353
Some photos are also available on Facebook (courtesy AARP New York) at www.facebook.com/aarpny
Co-Sponsors: AARP New York, Brooklyn Grandparents’ Coalition, NYC Kincare Task Force, Long Island University’s School of Social Work Department
Acknowledgement to the Kincare Coalition for contributions to the above information.
February 22, 2010
Grandparent's Sensitivity Training
10:30 am –1:30 pm
Interchurch Center
475 Riverside Drive Rm 1244
New York, NY
This training is fun, interactive and for professionals who come in contact with Grandparents Caregivers and other relative caregivers
Be Sure to RSVP or if you have any questions please feel to call Brandy Orange @ (212) 513-0799
April
April 5-May 24, 2010 (Mondays)
Parenting a Second Time Around Series
St. Mary's Church
Bedford Ave
Fishkill, NY 12524
This eight session workshop series is designed to meet the specific needs of those who are parenting related children. Meet with other grandparent and relative caregivers for a relaxed and sensitive workshop experience.
For more information or to register, contact Nina Doyle at (845) 677-8223 x137 or at nm62@cornell.edu.
April 28
42nd Annual Salute to Seniors Business/Caregiver Expo
Westchester County Center
White Plains, NY
9:00-2:00pm
Business and Caregiver Expo*Health and Wellness Fair*Live Entertainment*Arts and Crafts Boutique and Sale*
ONGOING EVENTS
Child Only Grant Public Awareness Campaign
The New York State Kincare Coalition recently launched a public awareness campaign aimed at helping kin caregivers access the non-parent caregiver grant, which is woefully under utilized in NY State. The grant provides $400 for one child and $125 for each additional child in a household headed by a grandparent or other relative. The state-wide campaign will educate kin caregivers about the benefit and direct them to where to find local assistance in applying for the grant.
The Coalition kicked-off the campaign with successful press conferences in Rochester and Buffalo in conjunction with AARP New York, the Catholic Family Center in Rochester, and Catholic Charities of Buffalo. As a result of local media coverage, each of the local agencies has received an increase in calls requesting information about the grant or help filling out the grant application.
According to public assistance data, only an estimated 8 percent of eligible kincare families in New York State are receiving the much-needed financial assistance the grant provides. With over 400,000 children being raised by grandparents or other relatives, only an estimated 32,000 children are receiving the grant.
With the downturn in the economy affecting jobs and retiree savings, kin caregivers, especially grandparents who may be on a fixed income, need financial assistance more than ever. Since the grant is based solely on the child’s income, and not on the caregiver’s, even kincare families who aren’t considered low income, but make a moderate salary and yet still struggle with the added costs of caring for a grandchild, niece or nephew, could benefit. For more information, contact Chaunda Ball at 212-407-3732 or cball@aarp.org.
To add your organization’s logo to the flyer prior to distribution, please contact Chaunda Ball at
212-407-3732 or cball@aarp.org
NYC Kincare Task Force Key Stakeholder Meeting
On Wednesday, June 24th the NYC Kincare Task Force held a stakeholders meeting at Fordham University School of Social Service in New York City to release the research report, “Removing Barriers to Successful Kin Caregiving”. Key policy makers, including the NYS Commissioner of the Office of Family and Children’s Services, Gladys Carrion, NYC DFTA Commissioner, Lilliam Barrios-Paoli and Erik Nicklas, Associate Commissioner of NYC Administration of Children Services, grandparent spokespeople, academicians and advocates attended. The report and the event were made possible with generous grant of the AARP Foundation and the New York Life Foundation. Common themes resounded in the research that surveyed grandparents and their experiences trying to secure information, benefits and services for their families. Key findings included the need for agency staff to have greater awareness of the needs of kinship caregivers, more training on benefits for these caregivers and the need for greater dissemination of written materials.
Upcoming NYC Kincare Task Force Meetings:
- Tuesday, March 23rd: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
- Tuesday, May 11th: 9:30-11:30AM
To receive a hard copy of the “Removing Barriers to Successful Kin Caregiving” report, please contact Rachel Vo at rvo@aarp.org
To join the NYC Kincare Task Force or for additional information, please contact the Task Force Co-Chairs:
Deborah Langosch at dlangosch@jbfcs.org and Amy Roehl at aroehl@mfy.org
Upcoming OCFS Proposal: The Special Delinquency Prevention Program
Next month OCFS is expected to release another proposal that may be appropriate for select kinship caregiver programs. The Special Delinquency Prevention Program (SDPP) proposal will be made available for non-profit, community based organizations targeting a number of different disconnected youth populations. These populations, some of which intersect with kinship households, include victims of child abuse/neglect; members of a family that lack adequate family supports; and include a priority in serving youth from homes where one or both parents are incarcerated. Outcomes over the five-year grant period include increased connectedness with school, increased independent living, increased positive relationships, etc. It is proposed that maximum awards will be $100,000 and $150,000 for those located in NYC.
Please scan the OCFS internet site for further information next month if you are interested.
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/
LIFT Recognized As A Semifinalist for the 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Award
Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) was recognized by the New York Times Company, the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York and the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers as a semifinalist for the 2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Award. LIFT, who is an active member of the New York State Kinship Care Coalition, is competing against ten other organizations for a cash grant and a scholarship to be applied toward Social Enterprise Programs at Columbia Business School Executive Education.
The New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards are presented annually to nonprofits in the New York City area for excellence in organizational management. The Awards include an extensive three-step judging process, including two stages of written applications and site visits where each organization is judged on its management and laser-like focus on its mission. “LIFT is honored to be a semifinalist for such a prestigious award,” said Melissa M. Beck, LIFT’s Executive Director. “The families we serve deserve nothing less than excellence in organizational management; thanks to our stellar management team and exceptional Board of Directors, LIFT’s programs are consistently high-quality, mission-driven, and responsive.” In the initial round of applications, each organization was asked to explain how they accomplished their goals while addressing multiple challenges. The winners will be announced on June 18 at TheTimeCenter during a Best Practices Workshop and Awards Ceremony. “I am proud to be the President of LIFT’s Board of Directors,” remarked Steve McGrath. “Our Board and management team work side-by-side to ensure best practices propel the organization forward, and help to ensure our ability to navigate these tumultuous economic times.”
Initiation of The Statewide Caregiving and Respite Coalition of New York
The Statewide Caregiving and Respite Coalition of New York is a new statewide, cross-disability, cross-generational Coalition whose purpose is to bring together state, county, and community-based organizations that serve and advocate for caregivers and the loved ones they care for.
This Coalition, as recommended by the New York State Family Caregiver Council, will work to unite caregiving and respite groups, individuals and families for the purpose of raising awareness of the valuable role caregivers play in the health and long term care systems and shaping the direction of New York’s lifespan respite and caregiver programs.
Learn more about the Coalition and how you can join at: www.scrcny.org or contact The New York State Coalition for the Aging, Inc. (NYSCA) at 518-465-0641 or email Joanne Macklin at Joanne@coalitionforaging.org.
Programs in Western New York in May
Jerry Wallace from the New York State Navigator and AARP NY kinship education program came to Western New York on May 28th to speak to about 20 Niagara County Department of Social Services Child Welfare supervisors, and on May 29th to an Erie County group including a broad range of providers and caregivers.
The topic in Niagara County was “N-Docket” cases, where children are placed in temporary custody with relatives. This custodial arrangement is often used instead of foster care placement, and is done to comply with NYS legal preference for relative placements. There are many challenges in ensuring this type of placement is successful, and the County is interested in improving and enhancing the way services are provided.
In Erie County approximately 75 people attended a presentation on local kinship caregiver programs and an update from Jerry Wallace on current topics in kinship care and legislation. There are five voluntary providers of case management and legal services for kinship caregivers in the area including Catholic Charities, Gateway-Longview, Neighborhood Legal Services, Legal Services for the Elderly and Disadvantaged and Mid-Erie Mental Health Services.
Jerry Wallace gave a presentation on the history of kinship care programming and legislation in New York State, and talked about the new federal legislation currently being implemented. He talked about the Statewide Kincare Coalition and their accomplishments over the past few years, including several key regulations and legislation. The recent presentations by the commissioners from OTDA and OCFS, and the upcoming presentation by the Director of the State Office for Aging demonstrate the cooperation and interest of the State offices with the work of the coalition. Jerry talked about the significant use of “N-Docket” status in Western New York, and his hope to look more carefully at that over the new few months.
Caregivers Count! Support for Women and Families with Special Needs Children
The HRSA Office of Women's Health is pleased to share the third podcast in their 2009 series on timely health issues for women and families. Issues like respite time, caregiver social support, connections to other families, and putting challenges in perspective are some of the topics discussed.
Follow the link below to access the podcast:
http://www.hrsa.gov/womenshealth/
Gerard Wallace Receives 2009 Generations United Grandfamilies Award
Gerard Wallace was selected as the recipient of the 2009 Generations United Grandfamilies Award. The specific award criterion requires that it honor a professional, a relative caregiver or an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the field of grandparents and other relatives raising children. The award will be presented at the Generations United’s Award Banquet on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill. Congratulations to Gerard on this well deserved honor.
Legal Update
By Gerard Wallace
NYS Kinship Budget
The final NYS budget retained funding for the thirteen OCFS kinship programs and the Kinship Navigator. Many individuals and organizations worked to strengthen support and all deserve many thanks. Their success gilded the lily! Close to an additional million was added for OCFS kinship programs. OCFS will release a new RFP, seeking proposals from organizations across the state. The RFP should be out at the end of June and startup is targeted for fall ’09.
NYS Kinship Legislation
A bill reintroduced this session by Senator Golden, S.2033, would extend the two year extraordinary circumstances described in Domestic Relations Law to include children residing in relatives’ homes (not just grandparents). As late as June 9th, we were still hoping that a “same as” bill might be introduced in the Assembly. However, the change in leadership in the Senate will probably make any legislative action on this bill impossible until next year. Complicating any predictions about the NYS Senate’s legislative actions, new rules were enacted that may lead to more bi-partisanship and the opportunity for legislators who are interested in kinship care to work together across the aisle. Uncertainty is the only certainty at this time.
Commissioner Hansell Attends Kincare Coalition
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner David Hansell and senior staff attended the February 4th meeting of the NYC Kincare coalition. The Commissioner recounted recent regulatory changes to the deeming rules for "child-only" grants that were favorable to kinship families, and indicated that OTDA wanted to maximize access to these grants. He also introduced the OTDA/OCFS handbook, "Having a Voice & a Choice.”
Follow the link below to access the “Having a Voice & a Choice” Handbook: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/publications/Pub5080.pdf
Commissioner Carrión Attends Kincare Coalition
New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión presented at the April 30th meeting of the NYC Kincare Coalition. The Commissioner affirmed her commitment to working with the Coalition on identifying kin ship needs. As part of the meeting, members voiced concerns with the use of “N Docket” (director custody or 1017 custody) orders. The Commissioner indicated her willingness to look into the use of this alternative to foster care.
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