Baldridge Applauds State Support for Kinship Care, Adoption Initiative

COLUMBUS – The State Controlling Board has approved funding for a project to support kinship caregivers and adoptive families, State Representative Brian Baldridge announced today.

The $9.2 million initiative will underwrite the development, implementation and launch of the Ohio Kinship and Adoption Navigator Program (OhioKAN).

Baldridge, who co-authored legislation to improve support for kinship caregivers in Ohio, House Bill 14, applauded the State Controlling Board’s action. His legislation would complement the initiative approved today.

“This is a significant step forward for Ohio,” said Baldridge (R-Winchester).

He said thousands of kids are being cared for by kinship caregivers, which are family members raising children in place of their parents. Thousands more children are awaiting adoption or are being raised by foster parents.

Baldridge said the drug addiction crisis has stretched state and local agencies to the limit as they try to help children.

“As a past County Commissioner, I have seen firsthand how this crisis impacts our local communities,” Baldridge said.

The OhioKAN program will target improved outcomes for children including reduced time in the child welfare system as well as reducing entry or re-entry into foster care.

The OhioKAN initiative is one of several state leaders have advanced to help children. The state budget approved earlier this year included a major increase in support for local foster care agencies. The House also approved Baldridge’s kinship care legislation, which is now pending in the Ohio Senate.