New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S09242

Introduced
2/18/26  

Caption

Directs the office of children and family services to conduct a statewide needs assessment to identify any unmet needs, including, but not limited to, housing, mental health access, financial assistance, childcare, and respite care access for kinship caregivers.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will enhance state responses to kinship caregiving by mandating a comprehensive analysis of service needs within this demographic. The findings from the needs assessment will serve as a foundational resource for policymakers, potentially leading to targeted improvements in legislation and resources allocated towards kinship care. By focusing on unmet needs, the bill aims to inform and shape state policies that support the welfare of children raised by kinship caregivers, thus contributing to improved family stability.

Summary

Bill S09242 seeks to direct the Office of Children and Family Services in New York to conduct a statewide needs assessment specifically targeting the unmet needs of kinship caregivers. The assessment aims to uncover existing gaps in access to essential services such as housing, mental health support, financial assistance, childcare, and respite care. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the vital role kinship caregivers play in the family structure and the broader community by addressing the unique challenges they face in supporting children who are not their biological offspring.

Contention

While the bill aims to bolster support for kinship caregivers, it may face scrutiny regarding the practical implementation of its recommendations. Concerns may arise about the adequacy of funding for the proposed initiatives and whether the Office of Children and Family Services possesses the necessary resources and authority to effectively carry out the needs assessment. Critics might argue that without sufficient follow-through on the findings, the bill could simply become a documentation exercise rather than a catalyst for meaningful change in support services for kinship caregivers.

Companion Bills

NY A10300

Same As Directs the office of children and family services to conduct a statewide needs assessment to identify any unmet needs, including, but not limited to, housing, mental health access, financial assistance, childcare, and respite care access for kinship caregivers.

Previously Filed As

NY A10300

Directs the office of children and family services to conduct a statewide needs assessment to identify any unmet needs, including, but not limited to, housing, mental health access, financial assistance, childcare, and respite care access for kinship caregivers.

NY A10291

Establishes the caregiver coordinating commission to review and evaluate statewide planning, development, and implementation of caregiver support services, including respite care, for informal family caregivers caring for those across the lifespan.

NY S09239

Establishes the caregiver coordinating commission to coordinate statewide planning, development, and implementation of caregiver support services, including respite care, for informal family caregivers caring for those across the lifespan.

NY SF2042

Direction to the commissioner of children, youth, and families to conduct a statewide needs assessment for out-of-school and youth programming and appropriation

NY S08875

Directs the director of the office of the aging to establish a caregiver crisis hotline to provide emotional support resources for informal caregivers of a person in need of assistance.

NY SB608

Relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.

NY HF1660

Commissioner of children, youth, and families directed to conduct a statewide needs assessment for out-of-school and youth programming, report required, and money appropriated.

NY S03938

Directs the office of victim services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

NY S09498

Directs the office of victim services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

NY A03595

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the number of children who are caregivers and how being a caregiver impacts their education.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.