For more than four thousand children in Wyoming – grandma, grandpa or an aunt is playing the role of “parent.” And a report released Wednesday, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows it’s a growing trend. Wyoming Kids Count Director Marc Homer says keeping children's ties to extended family is important when they endure the stress of a separation from their parents.
Children end up being cared for by relatives or close family friends because of military deployments, the death of a parent, substance abuse or mental illness, or child abuse and neglect. The report points out that many caregivers don't know there are resources available to help them cover the unexpected costs of taking in those children - such as SNAP, Medicaid, child care and cash assistance.
Homer says most kinship caregivers in Wyoming are grandparents, and they face unique challenges in caring for children again. He finds that state policies are often difficult when care-giving needs to become permanent.
Nationwide, the report says the number of children in kinship care has risen 18 percent in the past decade.
Children end up being cared for by relatives or close family friends because of military deployments, the death of a parent, substance abuse or mental illness, or child abuse and neglect. The report points out that many caregivers don't know there are resources available to help them cover the unexpected costs of taking in those children - such as SNAP, Medicaid, child care and cash assistance.
Homer says most kinship caregivers in Wyoming are grandparents, and they face unique challenges in caring for children again. He finds that state policies are often difficult when care-giving needs to become permanent.
Nationwide, the report says the number of children in kinship care has risen 18 percent in the past decade.
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