SCDSS, Gov. McMaster Recognize Kinship Care

Sept. 11, 2019 – The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster are recognizing September as Kinship Care Awareness Month.

“I encourage all South Carolinians to honor kinship caregivers and lift up the accomplishments of countless youth across our state who, with the support of kinship caregivers, have successfully navigated trauma and parental separation,” McMaster said in his Governor’s Proclamation declaring September 2019 as Kinship Care Month.

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 7 percent of all children in the state live with a relative with no parent present.

“Relationships with family are crucial for children,” McMaster said. “It is our responsibility to promote and preserve kinship, sibling and other familial connections for children helping them retain their cultural heritage, family, and community ties while preserving their safety.”

Yellow 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/.