Kinship Care Month Recognized in South Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Danielle Jones
Danielle.Jones@dss.sc.gov
803-898-7248

 Kinship Care Month Recognized in South Carolina

Sept. 1, 2021 – Governor 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 non-related 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 six 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.

We also encourage everyone to celebrate Grandparents Day, September 12th with us by wearing the color gold. Gold is the chosen color to represent the value of these caregivers and the fact many are often in their “golden years” when they take on these responsibilities.  

For more information, visit https://dss.sc.gov/prevention/kinship-care/.

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