WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced the Grandfamilies Act to support grandparents and kinship caregivers who have stepped in when parents are no longer able to care for their children.

As the opioid and fentanyl crisis continues to ravage Pennsylvania families, this bill would provide grandfamilies and kinship families greater access to cash benefits and uplift community-based efforts that address their unique needs.

“The opioid epidemic has forced so many grandparents to pick up the mantle to provide children with the support and stability they need, often following family trauma,” Casey said. “These caregivers may forgo their own needs to make sure there is food on the table for their children, and face poverty and other hardships because of it. My Grandfamilies Act will help relieve the financial pressure on these families, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive.”

“My Congressional District historically has the highest percentage of children living with kinship caregivers in the country,” Davis said. “I am proud to join with Sen. Casey in leading the Grandfamilies Act to increase the benefits and supports for grandparent and kinship caregivers. For these families, extra benefits via Social Security or TANF, however small, can be a lifeline. Supporting kinship caregivers strengthens families and helps children thrive.”

There are more than 2.7 million children in the United States who are being raised by grandparents and other relatives or close family friends, also known as kinship caregivers. Nearly 20 percent of grandfamilies live below the poverty line, and their limited resources can lead to chronic stress and mental health concerns among caregivers and children alike. The Grandfamilies Act will help alleviate this stress and financial pressure by expanding access to cash benefits for grandfamilies, Casey said.

Specifically, the bill will: