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I am grateful for individuals like each of you . . . who are dedicated to the ideals of providing legal assistance to the most vulnerable of our citizens in order to fulfill the promise of equal justice for all Americans.
--Hillary Rodham Clinton

KINSHIP CAREGIVER LAW PROJECT


 

Ms. C. contacted MFY seeking to adopt a nephew who she had cared for from birth. The child's mother had planned on leaving him in the hospital, but Ms. C took the child home so that he would not enter the foster care system. The biological mother, whose first two children were removed from her care by protective services, frequently harassed Ms. C. by telephone, forcing her to obtain an order of protection. Although she desperately wanted to adopt the child, Ms. C. was afraid of what the mother might do when served with adoption papers. With support and encouragement from her attorney, Ms. C. proceeded with the adoption. In the end, the mother failed to appear in court, and Ms C. was able to adopt the boy she considered "her baby, her son and her life."
 


In New York City, over 300,000 children are being raised by grandparents and other relatives because their parents are unable to care for them. MFY’s Kinship Caregiver Law Project helps to stabilize families, promote children's security, and prevent children from entering the foster care system. The project matches grandparents and other kin caregivers with private attorneys from well-established firms who represent caregivers in custody, guardianship and adoption proceedings.

In addition, Project attorneys provide advice and counsel to kin caregivers who call the Project’s infoline and meet directly with kin caregivers at regularly held clinics at Kings County Family Court

The Project offers CLE-certified training to attorneys who are interested in providing pro bono services to kin caregivers.

Project staff advocate for policies and programs to improve the lives of kinship caregiving families, working in close collaboration with the New York City Kincare Task Force and the New York State Kincare Coalition.


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