DC KinCare Alliance and DC Housing Authority Reach Settlement
DC KinCare Alliance and the DC Housing Authority are pleased to jointly announce that they have resolved their differences and reached a settlement in regard to the litigation pending between the parties in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Summer 2023 Newsletter
Summer has arrived, and with June comes an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing children during Children’s Awareness Month! We want to emphasize the importance of raising our kids in safe and loving environments.
Washington Post Article: “Justice for Justyce: A baby left without a name, finally, gets one”
Executive Director Marla Spindel said “CFSA never told Yolanda she could serve as a foster parent to the baby — an arrangement that would have allowed her to receive financial support and get that birth certificate without delay.”
Washington Post Article: “How a baby, now 4 months old, was left without a name”
Executive Director Marla Spindel discusses how this happened in the context of CFSA diverting a child to live informally with a relative rather than removing the child to foster care.
DC KinCare Alliance Spring 2023 Newsletter
It’s hard to believe it’s already April! 2023 is moving fast and we want to share with you what our team has been working on as well as upcoming opportunities for you to support our children and families.
Executive Director Marla Spindel Quoted in Courthouse News Service Article on Non-Safety Related Waivers for Kinship Foster Care Licensing
Ms. Spindel discusses the Biden Administration’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and explains that it is “invaluable to relatives to have those waivers in place so they can meet licensing requirements and have it done quickly.”
DC KinCare Alliance Chosen as Finalist for Exemplary Policy, Practice or Program Supporting Kinship Families
Our unique and innovative one-stop-shop approach to helping the DC kinship community has been recognized nationally. The Generations United Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network selected us as one of only 20 finalists nationwide to be designated as an Exemplary Policy, Practice, or Program supporting kinship families.
Executive Director Marla Spindel and Community Board Member Quoted in Washington Post Article on Hidden Foster Care
“With diversion [hidden foster care], CFSA’s power is unchecked and it is answerable to no one, nor does it have to provide financial resources to caregivers or services to parents to facilitate their reunification.” Click READ MORE below to access the full article.
DC KinCare Alliance Relative Caregiver Community Board Writes Letter to President Obama
The Community Board wrote a letter with accompanying portrait to President Obama inviting him to attend one of their monthly Community Board meetings.
Executive Director Marla Spindel Quoted in DC City Paper Article on Educator Background Check Bill
Ms. Spindel says she fears the Bill will not reduce the teacher shortage problem and will exacerbate the concern that “a sexual predator from Maryland could come into D.C. and teach based on the way background checks are proceeding right now.”
DC KinCare Alliance Presents to Ward 8 Hub Residents
DC KinCare Alliance provided information to the Ward 8 Hub regarding legal rights and financial benefits.
DC KinCare Alliance 2022 Fundraiser Was A Huge Success!
We streamed live from the Old French Embassy, heard from our relative caregivers, and learned about American history and politics from Professor Michael Kazin. Thank you to all of our supporters and our Law Firm Pro Bono Awardee Brown Rudnick LLP!
Out of State, Out of Mind
Executive Director Marla Spindel and Deputy Director Stephanie McClellan pen an opinion piece on Hidden Foster Care, which calls out the DC child welfare agency for sending vulnerable children out of state without any oversight or accountability for their welfare.
Amended Order Regarding Judicial Emergency
This final amended order extends certain provisions of the judicial emergency until September 6, 2022.
Amazing Community Board Outing Today at RFK Fields!
After two long years, we were finally able to get together IN PERSON! We braved the rain under the Pavilion covering! Everyone brought yummy food, and the children loved playing with playdough! At the end of the day, an amazing beautiful rainbow came out! A wonderful day had by all!
DC KinCare Alliance Awarded NBC Universal Project Innovation Grant of $25,000
DC KinCare Alliance was chosen for this grant in recognition of its innovative and unique approach to helping DC kinship families.
DC Family Court Reimagining Plan Starting August 1, 2022
The DC family court has reimagined how it will return to operations following the COVID pandemic.
DC KinCare Alliance Presents at DC Grandfamilies Raising Grandchildren Luncheon
Executive Director Stephanie McClellan discussed the services provided by DC KinCare Alliance to grandparent and DC agency attendees.
DC KinCare Alliance Presents to DHS Grandfamilies Support Group
DC KinCare Community Board June 2022 Monthly Meeting
At this meeting, we discussed the new Ombudsperson for Children, advocacy efforts on kinship navigator programs, and an in-person event in July. The DC Affordable Law Firm also provided an amazing presentation on wills, trusts and estates.
DC Superior Court Extends Judicial Emergency Until July 31, 2022
See attached Order to determine how operations are affected in your case; most cases are still being heard remotely but some are in-person. Public service counters and help centers are generally open for in-person service. Electronic service via text message, email or other forms of social media remains permissible in accordance with DRB Rule 4(c)(3)(B).
DC KinCare Community Board May 2022 Monthly Meeting
The Community Board welcomed Michelle Hammonds, the Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment and Education, District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Ms. Hammonds discussed financial literacy issues.
Child Welfare Advocate Marie Cohen and Executive Director Marla Spindel Respond to Dorothy Roberts “Five Myths about the Child Welfare System”
Ms. Cohen and Ms. Spindel respond to Professor Roberts’ April 17th piece in the Outlook section of the Washington Post. Cohen and Spindel contend that Roberts’ version of reality “does not agree with what we see every day as child advocates in the District of Columbia, nor with the research on child welfare.”
