HR771 is a House resolution introduced by Rep. Kamlager-Dove and several co-sponsors that designates September 2025 as National Kinship Care Month.
The measure foregrounds kinship caregiving, noting that millions of children are raised by relatives and that kinship families face unique needs. It frames kinship care as a stabilizing force for children and society by reducing pressure on formal foster systems and preserving family connections.
Beyond recognition, the resolution urges Congress to enact policies to improve the lives of vulnerable children by supporting kinship families, including Kinship Navigator programs, and to build on existing federal child welfare authorities. It also honors kinship caregivers and advocates, asserting the obligation to continue improving outcomes for all vulnerable children through Title IV Part B and Part E programs and related supports designed to assist families with prevention, reunification, and essential services.
At a Glance
What It Does
The measure designates September 2025 as National Kinship Care Month and expresses support for pursuing policies that bolster kinship caregivers and related services.
Who It Affects
Kinship caregivers (grandparents, aunts/uncles, tribal members, godparents, stepparents, and fictive kin) and the children in their care, along with state child welfare agencies and organizations providing kinship supports.
Why It Matters
It elevates kinship care within policy discourse, signaling a readiness to expand supports such as Kinship Navigator programs and to strengthen alignment with existing Title IV B/E provisions to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The resolution is a statement of support rather than a new law or funding program. It identifies kinship care—where relatives or close family friends raise children—as a common and valuable arrangement that can stabilize families and reduce the burden on foster care systems.
The bill provides data points from the broader kinship landscape, including the number of children in kinship arrangements and the role these families play in preventing foster system overwhelm.
The measure then shifts to policy ambitions, urging Congress to enact policies that help kinship families thrive. It references the importance of Kinship Navigator programs and reiterates a commitment to existing federal tools designed to support vulnerable families, prevention, and reunification services under Title IV B and E of the Social Security Act.
Finally, it honors kinship caregivers and reiterates the aim of improving outcomes for all vulnerable children through these programs and supports. In short, HR771 is a commemorative and policy-advancing resolution that seeks to pair public recognition with a policy agenda to expand supports for kinship care, while acknowledging the ongoing federal framework that already backs kinship families.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The resolution designates September 2025 as National Kinship Care Month.
It urges Congress to enact policies that support kinship families, including Kinship Navigator programs.
It honors kinship caregivers and advocates for their work.
It reaffirms support for Title IV Part B and Part E provisions and related programs.
It highlights kinship care as a mechanism to reduce foster care burden and preserve family connections.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Designation and Purpose
This section states the House’s support for designating September 2025 as National Kinship Care Month and frames kinship caregiving as a nationally recognized practice. It sets the thematic purpose for the resolution without imposing any new duties on agencies or individuals.
Policy Encouragement for Congress
This portion urges Congress to enact policies that strengthen kinship care supports, explicitly mentioning Kinship Navigator programs and other mechanisms to assist kin caregivers. It links improved supports to better outcomes for children and families.
Honor and Recognition of Caregivers
This section emphasizes recognizing the dedication of grandparents, siblings, tribal members, godparents, and other fictive kin who raise children. It frames recognition as a step toward sustaining caregiver morale and engagement with available services.
Alignment with Existing Law
This clause reaffirms the role of existing federal authorities—specifically Parts B and E of Title IV of the Social Security Act—and related programs as the framework within which kinship supports operate. It signals a continuity of policy rather than a new statutory mandate.
Next Steps and Implementation
While not mandating funding, this section signals intent to strengthen prevention, reunification, and support services that assist kinship families. It underscores the need for continued policy action to translate recognition into tangible services and outcomes.
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Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Grandparents and other kinship caregivers who raise children gain recognition and potential access to support services that ease financial and logistical burdens.
- Other kinship caregivers (including aunts/uncles, godparents, tribal kinship caregivers) benefit from increased visibility and potential program access.
- Children in kinship arrangements benefit from policy emphasis on stability, continuity of care, and connections to family heritage.
- Kinship navigator programs and service providers gain legitimacy and potential funding opportunities to expand outreach and support.
- State and tribal child welfare agencies gain policy direction that can inform program design and interagency coordination.
Who Bears the Cost
- States may incur administrative costs to expand kinship support services and coordinate with kinship navigator programs.
- The federal government may need to allocate or reallocate funds to support kinship-related initiatives within existing Title IV programs.
- Tribal governments and organizations may incur costs to align their kinship supports with federal programs and reporting requirements.
- Nonprofit and service-provider entities could face increased demand for kinship-related services, requiring staffing and resource planning.
- Local governments may experience modest administrative expenses as they integrate kinship supports into local welfare programs.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central tension is between symbolic recognition and the need for concrete, funded policy action. The resolution asks Congress to enact policies and bolster existing programs without committing resources, raising questions about how recognition translates into sustained support across diverse jurisdictions.
The bill is a symbolic resolution, not a funding mechanism or new regulatory mandate. Its value rests in elevating kinship care in policy discussions and signaling a policy preference for stronger supports for kinship families.
The practical question is how to translate recognition into durable resources and coordinated action across federal, state, and tribal programs. Different states may implement kinship supports in varied ways, leading to uneven outcomes if funding or guidance is inconsistent.
There is also the challenge of measuring impact and ensuring that Kinship Navigator programs, once deployed, reach the intended caregivers and families.
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