# What This Resolution Does

This is a symbolic resolution that designates September 2021 as "National Kinship Care Month." In practical terms, that means Congress is officially recognizing and drawing attention to kinship care during that specific month. It's not a law that creates new programs or changes existing rules—it's more like a formal acknowledgment or awareness campaign at the federal level.

Kinship care refers to when relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and other family members) step in to raise children when parents can't. This happens for many reasons—parental illness, addiction, incarceration, death, or other circumstances. These caregivers often take on parenting responsibilities without going through formal adoption, and they frequently face financial and legal challenges that non-relative foster parents don't encounter.

By designating a national month, Congress is essentially saying "this matters" and encouraging people to pay attention to the challenges kinship caregivers face. It might prompt media coverage, community events, and discussions about whether these families need better support from government programs. However, the resolution itself doesn't provide funding, change eligibility rules for benefits, or create new services. It's a statement of recognition rather than a concrete policy change. For kinship caregivers struggling with expenses or legal issues, this resolution acknowledges their role but doesn't directly solve those problems—though it could help build momentum for future legislation that does.

A resolution designating September 2021 as "National Kinship Care Month".

Wyden, Ron

 <p>This resolution designates September 2021 as National Kinship Care Month and encourages community stakeholders to work together to improve well-being for vulnerable children and families.</p>