Vermont Kin as Parents

In case you have not heard...
SUMMER EBT began dropping today. Qualifying families will receive $120 per qualified student.
Questions call the Vermont Summer EBT support team at 888-354-0012 option 7

To check your card balance, activate a new card, or report a lost/damaged card, call EBT Customer Service directly at 800-914-8605

🌲 We’re going to VINS! 🦉

Mark your calendars for an exciting day of nature and wildlife exploration at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)!

📅 When: Saturday, July 18th
⏳ Note: Limited space, act fast!

Don't miss out on this incredible experience. To secure your spot, send us an email today!

📧 Sign up at: [email protected]

Vermont Kin As Parents is making memories across Vermont. If you are interested in attending any of the fairs, festivals or field days across Vermont, complete the form for a chance to attend.
Vermont Kin as Parents
Memory Maker Form Link https://forms.gle/wtyE9rhiGUsCyLxX6

Celebrate the start of summer with Vermont Days on June 13 and June 14 and Free Fishing Day on June 13.

Vermont Days is an opportunity to enjoy:
Free entry to day use areas at all 55 Vermont State Parks.
Free admission at six Vermont State Historic Sites.
Fishing without a license statewide (June 13 only).
Family-friendly activities, bands, and more.

Vermont Days activities are open to all Vermonters and visitors. So, grab your family, friends and neighbors and celebrate our beautiful state, outdoor fun, history, and more!

For all the information you need in one place, visit: https://tr.ee/Jyi9QtJrXo

The moments that mean the most can often be found right at home! Something as simple as a weekly movie night could be something they talk about for years to come.

What’s a moment that you’ve shared with your child that stayed with them long after?

Kinship caregivers do so much every day. VKAP is here to support not just the needs, but the moments that matter!

Learn more about how we support kinship families here!

Vermont Kin as Parents How VKAP Can Help Parenting Support Kinship Options Education Resources Looking for more Events? Click HERE Learn more about how VKAP supports kinship families.⟶ Strengthening families raising the children of relatives.  Vermont Kin As Parents Challenge Donation In today’s world many grandparen...

https://mailchi.mp/19b98f280b0d/creating-memories-managing-exhaustion-summer-fun

Creating Memories, Managing Exhaustion & Summer Fun Looking for a fun summer day the whole family can enjoy? Join Vermont Kin As Parents for our Summer Event at Button Bay State Park. Enjoy a free day at the park filled with entertainment, activities and opportunities to connect with other families from across Vermont.

We do not typically engage in the politics side and to a degree this is not - However there is a Federal bill that we think you ought to know about and talk to your Federal Representatives about ASAP if your opinion is to effect the legislation one way or another - Below is meant to be a pros and cons - decide for yourself - but weigh in ---->> **Potential impacts of HR 8872 on kinship children (raised by grandparents or other relatives) and their caregivers depend heavily on state implementation, but here's a breakdown based on the bill's key provisions and how TANF currently works for these families.**

# # # Background on Kinship Care and TANF
- Roughly **2.4–2.7 million children** live with kin caregivers outside the formal foster care system. Kinship care is generally better for children than non-relative foster care: more stability, fewer behavioral issues, preserved family/cultural ties, and lower re-entry rates into care.
- Many kin caregivers (especially grandparents) are older, on fixed incomes, and face extra costs. About 18–20% live in poverty; many more are near it. Kinship families save taxpayers billions annually (~$10.5B+) by preventing foster care placements.
- **TANF child-only grants** are a major (but underused) support: Aid goes to the child without counting the caregiver's income in the same way. Only ~13% of eligible kinship children receive them. Benefits are modest (national average ~$300–$350/month for the first child) and used for rent, utilities, food, school, etc.
- States also use TANF flexibly for kinship navigator programs, emergency aid (rent/utilities), legal fees for custody, furniture, and prevention services to keep families together.

# # # How the Bill Could **Help** Kinship Families
1. **Better Targeting and Reduced Waste**:
- The **200% FPL income cap** for all TANF-funded aid/services ensures funds prioritize truly needy families. Most kinship caregivers and children are low-income (many below or near 200% FPL). Stricter rules could reduce diversion of funds (e.g., past scandals like Mississippi) and leave more available for direct supports like child-only grants or emergency aid.
- **Improper payment requirements** and spending timelines (obligate within ~1 year, spend within ~2 years) push states to use funds efficiently rather than hoard them. This could improve program integrity and encourage better outreach to under-served kinship families.

2. **Long-Term Fiscal Stability**:
- By curbing misuse and "supplanting" (using federal dollars to replace state spending), the bill may sustain the overall TANF block grant over time. Kinship care is cost-effective; stronger safeguards could indirectly support expanded navigator programs or prevention services that keep kids with family.

3. **Equity for Needier Families**:
- Forces focus on the poorest households, which aligns with the profile of many struggling grandfamilies.

# # # How the Bill Could **Hurt** Kinship Families
1. **Uniform 200% FPL Cap Reduces State Flexibility**:
- Currently, states set their own rules for child-only grants and services. Some allow higher-income caregivers (e.g., Nevada up to 275% FPL for certain programs; others use TANF for broader prevention). A hard federal cap could limit or eliminate flexible/non-cash supports (e.g., kinship navigators, emergency funds, legal aid) for families slightly above 200% FPL who still struggle with caregiving costs.
- Child-only grants traditionally ignore caregiver income more than standard TANF. The bill's broad "family" eligibility language might force states to reassess or restrict these, even if most qualify.

2. **Administrative Burdens and Churn**:
- Stricter improper payment rules, timelines, and reporting could make states more cautious, leading to delays, denials, or reduced outreach. Kin caregivers already under-enroll due to complexity/stigma; added hurdles might worsen this.
- Spending deadlines might discourage "rainy day" or longer-term kinship investments in some states.

3. **Risk to Prevention and Stability**:
- Opponents (e.g., Coalition on Human Needs) argue it could make rent/food/utilities harder to cover without addressing major past misuses. Reduced supports might push more children into formal (and costlier) foster care, harming kids' well-being.

# # # Bottom Line
- **Most kinship families are low-income enough** that the 200% cap probably won't disqualify them outright. The bigger risks are **reduced flexibility** for states' creative kinship supports and **administrative friction**.
- **Help** comes from better accountability—potentially more reliable funding for core child-only aid.
- Real outcomes depend on **state responses**. Some states may tighten eligibility; others could protect kinship programs within the new rules. Vermont (your location) has its own TANF design—check local impacts via your state agency or grandfamilies.org resources.

If you're a caregiver or know one affected, contact your Representative with specifics (e.g., "This could limit emergency rent help for my grandkids"). Personal stories matter. For deeper Vermont-specific details or the full bill text, let me know.

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