Blog
Amplifying Voices: A Call to Kinship Caretakers
Information provided by: Justice Kevin M. Doughtery, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice.
Dear Kinship Caretakers,
If you received this email, you have been identified as someone caring for a child in the dependency system. A few years back, the Office of Children and Families in the Courts, through the State Roundtable, began to look at Kinship Care and ways in which more children in the dependency system can live with someone they know and love, in the event they cannot live at home.
This year, we wanted to hear directly from those Kinship Caretakers caring for the children. To this, we would like to hear about your experiences as a Kinship Caretaker. Please join us on April 18, 2024, by clicking the link below. The link will take you to a virtual platform, allowing us to directly see and hear from you. The conversation will be confidential and not traced back to you. Our goal is to enhance the support of Kinship Caretakers and remove barriers from more children living with someone they know and love.
Additional information can be found in the Q&A below. We look forward to meeting you!
How and when do I join the virtual focus group?
Please join the virtual focus group on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
*If you are unable to join on April 18th, you may join on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Who should join the virtual focus group?
Any current or past Kinship Caregiver (related or not) for a child in the dependency system.
How long will the virtual focus group take?
The virtual session is scheduled for 1 hour but may take less time depending on the number of attendees. Attendees can leave at any time.
Will it be a large or small group of people?
The groups will be kept small so everyone has the chance to talk.
What will we talk about, and what will we not talk about?
While we will not discuss the specific details of any case, attendees will be asked 3-5 questions to better understand their personal experience as Kinship Caregivers in the system.
These questions include:
1. Do you feel like you had the support that you needed?
2. Tell us what was/is most helpful to you as a Kinship Caregiver.
3. Tell us what would have made it easier for you as a Kinship Caregiver.
4. What was/is your biggest frustration as a Kinship Caregiver?
5. What is one thing you would like the Court and Agency to know about Kinship Caregivers?