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DC Council Officially Declares September 2024 Kinship Care Month
Read the Ceremonial Resolution here.
Reduced Barriers to Access the DC Grandparent and Close Relative Caregiver Programs
Effective October 1, 2024, the household income cap increased from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty line, and TANF and SNAP is no longer included in the calculation of income. This legislative change is the result of DC kinship caregivers’ advocacy on this issue.
Grandparent Caregiver Program Regulations Amended to Remove Requirement for TANF Determination
The regulations were amended to remove the requirement that a grandparent must receive a TANF determination before they can apply for the Grandparent Caregiver Program; now only proof of applying for TANF is required. Our grandparent caregivers identified this issue and worked with us to make this change happen!
DC KinCare Alliance Signs On To Letter In Support of the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act
DC KinCare Alliance signed onto a letter to the US House Committee on Ways and Means along with 227 other national, state, and local organizations to express support for the bipartisan Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act, which would invest critical new resources in Title IV-B and provide needed policy improvements.
DC KinCare Alliance Signs on to Open Letter to Mayor Bowser: Keep Families Housed Until They Transfer to Permanent Housing Programs
“We are writing to ask you to halt the exits of families in rapid re-housing until the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) can complete the housing voucher eligibility and lease-up process for the significant number of vouchers that are available now or by October 1. “
U.S. Senators Casey (D-PA) and Young (R-IN) Introduce Bipartisan Informing Grandfamilies Act
DC KinCare Alliance was pleased to work with Senator Casey’s and Young’s staff to provide recommendations to strengthen the Bill, and wholeheartedly supports the Bill.
Deputy Director McClellan Testifies at DC Council Roundtable — “Continued Challenges with the DC Access System and Public Benefits Enrollment”
Deputy Director Stephanie McClellan testified about the experiences DC KinCare Alliance clients have had using the District Direct online application system to submit public benefits applications and provided recommendations for improvement.
Deputy Director Stephanie McClellan Testifies Before Committee on Facilities and Family Services FY 25 Budget Oversight Hearing
Ms. McClellan testified regarding funding of the DC Office of the Ombudsperson for Children and the essential role if plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of DC children.
Managing Attorney Victoria Taplin Testifies Before the Committee on Facilities and Family Services FY 25 Budget Oversight Hearing
Ms. Taplin discussed the importance of funding the Grandparent and Relative Caregiver Program Subsidies, reducing barriers to access, and ensuring the timely and efficient processing of subsidy applications.
Executive Director Marla Spindel Testifies Before the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety FY 25 Budget Oversight Hearing
Ms. Spindel testified about the need to fully fund the DC Access to Justice Initiative, which funds legal services in DC. She explained that funding the Initiative provides critical legal help to DC’s low-income residents, ensuring they receive the legal rights and financial assistance to which they are entitled.
Managing Attorney Victoria Taplin Testifies Before DC Council FY 2023 CFSA Performance Oversight Hearing
Ms. Taplin discussed new requirements for caregivers to apply for the DC Grandparent Caregiver Program and Close Relative Caregiver Program, which are not required by applicable law and result in significant barriers to access the program subsidies.
Deputy Director Stephanie McClellan Testifies Before DC Council FY 2023 Office of Ombudsperson for Children Performance Oversight Hearing
Ms. McClellan testified about the Office of Ombudsperson for Children’s FY 2023 Annual Report and concerning issues raised therein about CFSA’s practice of kinship diversion, also known as hidden foster care.