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By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Kinship Care Awareness Month

WHEREAS, more than 190,000 children in Virginia reside in a home where a non-parental relative is the head of the household and more than 62,000 children are being raised by a relative with no parent present; and, 

WHEREAS, kinship caregiving is utilized in all socioeconomic, educational, ethnic and racial backgrounds, providing many opportunities as well as unique challenges; and, 

WHEREAS, every child in Virginia deserves the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive, loving, safe home environment while retaining a sense of family, cultural heritage and community ties; and, 

WHEREAS, individuals and families caring for a relative’s or close family friend’s child make numerous personal and financial sacrifices to support children in need; and, 

WHEREAS, kinship families have prevented children from entering the foster care system and have allowed children to leave the foster care system and return to their families; and, 

WHEREAS, Kinship Care Month reflects the core values of family, community, and the welfare of children shared by all citizens of the Commonwealth; and, 

WHEREAS, through the partnerships among foster, adoptive, and kinship parents, local Department of Social Services staff, public and private child-serving organizations, and faith communities, efforts are made to ensure that children are safe and their voices are heard as we work for the success of every child; and, 

WHEREAS, Virginia is committed to working together to celebrate the strengths and address the challenges of kinship families who are raising a child on their own or with local Department of Social Services support; and, 

WHEREAS, kinship families continue to need services like support groups, resources, trainings on issues important to kinship families, assistance with finding and accessing needed services, and information about permanency options; 

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is committed to reconnecting and strengthening families; and, 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2022 as KINSHIP CARE AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA and call this observance to the attention of our citizens.