Placing children with relatives or someone they know is a priority for the Allen County Department of Children Services.
It's called Kinship Care and the month of September has been designated to thank those who have stepped up to help a child during a very traumatic time. Allen County commissioners giving a proclamation in recognition of their efforts. As of the end of July, Allen County has placed 147 children in Kinship Care. But there are many more children that are being taken care of by relatives that are considered "informal" as they are not cases filed with children services.
"If you know somebody who is providing a relative or kinship placement, please reach out to them. Try to support them, thank them, offer to help them, or even just listen to them," said Shelly Conrad, Family Stability Supervisor.
Conrad says they want to thank everyone that has helped by being a kinship support person. They understand it can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining but as they put the welfare of the child first they become a vital resource for them and the agency.
