LIMA – Allen County Commissioners presented a proclamation to a relative raising two boys and Allen County Children Services (ACCS) today recognizing the incredible efforts of all the relatives and kinship providers who open their hearts and homes to children in need.

Natalie McGee, a relative raising two boys, ages 5 and 3, was present to accept the proclamation. McGee stepped up to raise the children when their parents no longer could.

When a parent cannot safely take care of a child, the first place staff at ACCS turns is a relative or someone with an established relationship with the child. That means grandparents, aunts and uncles, even older brothers or sisters, to provide a safe home for a child in a familiar setting.

At ACCS, about two-thirds (144 in the custody of a relative) of the children removed from homes for safety concerns are placed with relatives. The other one-third are placed in foster homes or residential facilities.

Nationally, there are about 2.6 million children, or 4 percent of the children in the United States, living with relatives or kinship providers. In Ohio, that number is close to 227,000 children living with relatives. Of that number in Ohio, more than 183,000 live with grandparents

Living in a familiar setting allows children to adjust faster when they cannot safely remain in their own home. It also reduces behavioral and mental health issues, results in better permanency outcomes and sibling connectivity.

We encourage everyone who knows a relative or kinship provider raising children to take time this month to thank them for the incredible responsibility they have taken on.