Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as "National Kinship Care Month".
A Democratic resolution with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses support for designating September 2026 as National Kinship Care Month. It highlights the role of grandparents, siblings, Tribal members, godparents, stepparents, and fictive kin in raising over 2,800,000 children in kinship care arrangements. The text notes that kinship caregivers keep the foster care system from being overwhelmed and save taxpayers billions of dollars annually. It points out that kinship care helps children maintain family relationships, stay in their communities, and minimize trauma. The measure encourages Congress to enact policies supporting kinship families and honors the commitment of kinship caregivers. Finally, it reaffirms the need to continue working to improve outcomes for vulnerable children through specific titles of the Social Security Act and other support programs.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The resolution promotes policies and recognition to improve safety, permanency, and outcomes for vulnerable children in kinship care.
- Scored +4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The resolution honors and seeks better support for grandparents who step forward as kinship caregivers to raise children.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The text encourages support programs and assistance to help kinship families avoid living in poverty.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Kinship Care Month Designation: Under resolved section (1), the House of Representatives supports designating September 2026 as National Kinship Care Month, which brings national recognition to the millions of children living in kinship care and honors the caregivers who raise them.
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Encouraging Better Policies for Vulnerable Children: Under resolved section (2), the resolution encourages Congress to enact policies to improve the lives of vulnerable children by supporting kinship families in the best interests of the children.
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Honoring Caregivers and Advocates: Under resolved section (3), the text honors the commitment and dedication of kinship caregivers as well as the advocates and allies who work to provide assistance and services to kinship-caregiving families.
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Improving Outcomes Through Federal Programs: Under resolved section (4), the resolution reaffirms the need to work to improve outcomes for vulnerable children through parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act and other programs designed to support vulnerable families, invest in prevention and reunification services, and ensure caregivers receive necessary supports like Kinship Navigator programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- As an expert legislative analyst looking out for the good of the people, I must report that there are no explicit negative impacts, burdens, or consequences for individuals or groups found within the text of this resolution.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The resolution promotes policies and recognition to improve safety, permanency, and outcomes for vulnerable children in kinship care. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The resolution honors and seeks better support for grandparents who step forward as kinship caregivers to raise children. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The resolution highlights the significant portion of Black children raised by grandparents and encourages equitable support. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The text encourages support programs and assistance to help kinship families avoid living in poverty. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The resolution highlights American Indian and Alaska Native children in kinship care arrangements and calls for targeted support. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The text explicitly recognizes military deployment as a reason caregivers step forward, benefiting military and veteran families involved in kinship arrangements.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The resolution addresses the substantial challenges kinship caregivers face in avoiding living in poverty and supports better resources. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The text notes that kinship care reduces the risk of homelessness by providing an important bridge for older youth. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The text highlights the disproportionate representation of Black and Native American children in kinship care and foster systems, drawing attention to equity needs.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The resolution acknowledges that kinship placements improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for children.
- 10/1/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/28/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa