SIGNED! Bipartisan Bill to Improve Care for Foster Children Becomes Law

ARVADA, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley, that will improve kinship care options for foster children in Colorado.

SB24-008, also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, will provide additional resources to families and kin who are willing to care for a child involved in the child welfare system. The law extends foster care certification to kinship placements, allowing families to access training, resources, and financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of children in their care. 

“We know that relatives are often the best placement option for children involved in the child welfare system,” Zenzinger said. “This new law will help close the kinship gap by giving families and kin access to similar resources as other foster placements. Ultimately, this is about providing the support and stability that our children and youth in care deserve.”

“When searching for placement, relatives, family friends, godparents,  and those with a significant relationship with a child or youth can be a great option to support those in foster care,” said Young. “We know that children and youth living with kinship care are more likely to experience positive outcomes, including improved behavioral and mental health and stronger feelings of both sense of belonging and love. Building on the work conducted by the child welfare interim committee, we’ve crafted this legislation to remove barriers to kinship care by making it easier for relatives or others who have a significant relationship to the child to access financial support and resources such as housing, clothing, and training. There are many children and youth in foster care who need a stable, supportive home and this law directs financial reimbursement to non-certified kinship foster care while expanding the pool of possible placements to best support our foster children and youth.”

Kinship placements maintain family connections and provide normalcy for children who have been removed from their homes. Kinship care can promote safer and faster reunification with parents, and prevent further long-term involvement in the child welfare system. SB24-008 is a result of recommendations from the 2023 Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee Report.

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