October 21st 03, 05:54 PM
Calling All Child Advocates!
On Wednesday, October 15, you have an opportunity to help ensure that
the more than six million children who live in households headed by
grandparents and other relatives -- many of them because their parents
are unable or unwilling to raise them -- are not left behind. Please
join us in urging Congress to give these kinship care families the
same supports as other families.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
ATTEND THE GRANDRALLY - Come be a voice for America's children on
October 15 at the GrandRally at the U. S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, AARP, Child Welfare League
of America, Generations United, and Grandparents for Children's
Rights, the event will feature grandparents, other relative
caregivers, and child
advocates, who will be raising awareness about the needs of kinship
caregivers.
CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS PART OF THE OCTOBER 15 NATIONAL
CALL-IN DAY - If you are unable to join us on Wednesday, you can show
your support by placing a call to your Members of Congress and urging
them to recognize the needs of kinship caregivers. By calling
toll-free
1-800-736-9594, you can be connected to the offices of your Senators
and Representative. Urge your Members of Congress to ensure that
grandparents and other relatives who are raising children have the
services and supports they need by co-sponsoring:
1) Legislation that includes the Kinship Guardianship Assistance
Program (H. R. 1534; also in S. 448/H. R. 936). The Kinship
Guardianship Assistance Program will allow states to use federal funds
to support subsidized guardianship payments to grandparents and other
relatives who have cared for children in foster care and are committed
to caring for them permanently.
2) The LEGACY Housing bill (S. 381/H. R. 2628) to provide safe and
affordable housing for grandparents and other relatives raising
children.
3) The Lifespan Respite Act of 2003 (S. 538/H. R. 1083) to help
develop statewide respite care programs for children and adults to
provide temporary relief to family caregivers, including grandparents
and other relatives caring for children with special needs. 20
4) The comprehensive Dodd/Miller Act to Leave No Child Behind (S.
448/H. R. 936). The Act offers a national vision to give every child a
healthy start, a head start, a fair start, and a safe start in life.
It addresses many of the challenges facing kinship care families and
the children they are raising.
EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON OCTOBER15 - Please send an email to
your Members of Congress by visiting
http://capwiz.com/cdf/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid3D3697501. 20
For more information, see CDF's website at:
http://www.childrensdefense.org/grandrally/default.htm
20
Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of children!
- The Children's Defense Fund's Grandrally Team
On Wednesday, October 15, you have an opportunity to help ensure that
the more than six million children who live in households headed by
grandparents and other relatives -- many of them because their parents
are unable or unwilling to raise them -- are not left behind. Please
join us in urging Congress to give these kinship care families the
same supports as other families.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
ATTEND THE GRANDRALLY - Come be a voice for America's children on
October 15 at the GrandRally at the U. S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, AARP, Child Welfare League
of America, Generations United, and Grandparents for Children's
Rights, the event will feature grandparents, other relative
caregivers, and child
advocates, who will be raising awareness about the needs of kinship
caregivers.
CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS PART OF THE OCTOBER 15 NATIONAL
CALL-IN DAY - If you are unable to join us on Wednesday, you can show
your support by placing a call to your Members of Congress and urging
them to recognize the needs of kinship caregivers. By calling
toll-free
1-800-736-9594, you can be connected to the offices of your Senators
and Representative. Urge your Members of Congress to ensure that
grandparents and other relatives who are raising children have the
services and supports they need by co-sponsoring:
1) Legislation that includes the Kinship Guardianship Assistance
Program (H. R. 1534; also in S. 448/H. R. 936). The Kinship
Guardianship Assistance Program will allow states to use federal funds
to support subsidized guardianship payments to grandparents and other
relatives who have cared for children in foster care and are committed
to caring for them permanently.
2) The LEGACY Housing bill (S. 381/H. R. 2628) to provide safe and
affordable housing for grandparents and other relatives raising
children.
3) The Lifespan Respite Act of 2003 (S. 538/H. R. 1083) to help
develop statewide respite care programs for children and adults to
provide temporary relief to family caregivers, including grandparents
and other relatives caring for children with special needs. 20
4) The comprehensive Dodd/Miller Act to Leave No Child Behind (S.
448/H. R. 936). The Act offers a national vision to give every child a
healthy start, a head start, a fair start, and a safe start in life.
It addresses many of the challenges facing kinship care families and
the children they are raising.
EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON OCTOBER15 - Please send an email to
your Members of Congress by visiting
http://capwiz.com/cdf/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid3D3697501. 20
For more information, see CDF's website at:
http://www.childrensdefense.org/grandrally/default.htm
20
Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of children!
- The Children's Defense Fund's Grandrally Team