November, 2024 — Since its inception in fall 2022, DePaul’s Kinship Care program has provided support and services to more than 20 families, ensuring more than 40 youth remain connected to their families of origin and out of the foster care system.
“It is critical that we devote resources and support to the families in our community to prevent them from suffering the trauma of separation if at all possible and to have a positive impact on an overstretched foster care system,” said Renee Brown, DePaul president and CEO.
Kinship Care is designed to meet the needs of young people who would benefit from placement with a relative or fictive kin (such as a close family friend). DePaul’s program meets the needs of children and families served in different ways, such as providing therapeutic training, promoting placement stability and preventing placement disruptions, and building and expanding the natural supports of youth while in care.
“The child welfare landscape is constantly changing, but one thing that has remained consistent is the importance of keeping children with family or fictive kin, if possible,” said Melissa Cook, foster care regional manager. “DePaul continues to recognize the importance of kinship care, and we are proud that this program has allowed families to be supported and feel heard and seen.”
DePaul opened its first kinship care case in September of 2022 in hopes of improving outcomes for youth at risk of entering foster care that could benefit from placements within their extended families. A report from Generations United states that children living with kinship families experience increased stability, higher levels of permanency and greater safety, better behavioral and mental health outcomes, increased likelihood of living with or staying connected to siblings, and preservation of their cultural identity and community connections. Along with the social, emotional, and cultural benefits, relying on kinship care and reducing the number of children and teens who enter foster care also financially benefits the state of Virginia. An article by the Virginia Mercury estimated that one less month in foster care per child could save the state more than $25 million annually.
43 children and teenagers have been served by DePaul’s program thus far. Their ages range from 14 days old to 18 years old. The kinship care program is 100% grant and donor funded. Its positive impact in the community would not have been possible without the generous financial support of many foundations and donors, including Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust, Nordstrom Cares, Roanoke City, and most recently, RCM&D and the Roanoke Women’s Foundation.