Reforming Kinship Care in Michigan

What are kinship families and why are they
gaining greater attention in Michigan, most recently among
recommendations of a House Task Force on Adoption and Foster
Care? Speaking for Kids Podcast Host Matt
Gillard, president & CEO of Michigan’s Children,
explores the issue with two guests, attorney Shannon
Urbon, executive director of The New Foster Care, and
Ryleigh Frisbie, a self-described “kinship kid”
from Northern Michigan. Join us as we learn about long-awaited
supports for kin caregivers, the grandparents,
great-grandparents, aunties, cousins and older siblings who
traditionally have stepped up to provide loving homes for
children experiencing trauma. For the vast majority, however,
they’ve done so without financial help and services children
require. Hear what might be changing for these Michigan families,
and how you can advocate before decision-makers.