US: Senators Collins, Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Grandfamilies Affected by the Fentanyl Crisis and Substance Misuse (Press release)
Office of Senator for New Hampshire Susan Collins – May 24, 2024
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act to better support kinship caregivers — the vast majority of whom are grandparents — who have taken over as primary caregivers for children exposed to substance misuse or other trauma. The bipartisan bill would encourage state and local child welfare agencies to work with the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families. “As the opioid epidemic continues to devastate families across Maine, grandparents increasingly are being called on to become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. Although this caretaker role can be a source of tremendous comfort and stability for families, it also presents several challenges,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would provide grandparents access to important resources they need to help their grandchildren succeed.”