Child welfare is getting more and more complicated, and temporary caregivers like foster and kinship parents are being asked to do more, take on more risk and responsibility and enter into complicated permanency agreements (in lieu of adoption). Foster and kinship caregivers are the only parties in a child welfare case with no legal representation. Do all foster or kinship parents need a lawyer? No. Foster and kinship parents need to understand what they are signing up for when they are looking at temporary custody and/or permanency options.

Be the Source educates foster and kinship caregivers about legislation that could affect their journey as caregivers. We often remind caregivers that elected officials have to know a little bit about a lot of topics. Elected officials really rely on those with lived experience to share their stories to best inform their decisions.