Public Policy Institute Presents 2009 Study: Kinship Care
Sept. 15, 2009 - OCALA - FLORIDA
The Public Policy Institute of Marion County will release its 2009 Study: Kinship Care during the Kids Central Inc. Kinship Care 3rd Annual Kinship Conference on Friday, Sept. 18, at Central Florida Community College.
PPI Director Crystal Flynn and Kinship Care Study Coordinator Jean Imes will present the 2009 key findings and recommendations during the noon to 12:30 presentation at CFCC’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road. To register to attend the event, call Kids Central Inc. at 352-873-6332.
“Many kinship care providers find themselves in that role unexpectedly and are quickly overwhelmed by the physical, financial and emotional stresses of care giving,” Imes said. “Over the course of the kinship care study, it was clear that care givers need assistance. They need an advocate who understands both the demands of care giving as well as the best way to connect care givers with available resources.”
The report will also be available for free download from the PPI Web site, http://ppiofmarioncounty.cf.edu beginning Sept. 18, and additional public release presentations are tentatively scheduled.
“Major recommendations outline a response to this critical need for assistance and key recommendations include a plan of providing access to support and services to kinship caregivers through the establishment of a Kinship Care Advisory Board,” Flynn said. “The board would be charged with appointing a Kinship Care Advocacy Coordinator and overseeing a task force of Kinship Care Volunteer Advocates.”
In February 2009, the Public Policy Institute 2009 Kinship Care Study Committee began a six-month research process to analyze and evaluate existing resources and services and to develop recommendations that can be implemented locally to enhance access to kinship care support in Ocala/Marion County.
Meeting on a weekly basis, study co-chairs William D’Aiuto and Major Patti Lumpkin led weekly sessions of kinship care professionals, agency representatives, educators, business and industry leaders, and concerned citizens, as they heard from more than 18 speakers on a broad range of related topics. Study highlights included a Kinship Care seminar featuring keynote speaker Helene LaBrecque Ellis, author and noted kinship care authority. An additional six weeks were devoted to analysis of the findings and development of recommendations.
Established in 1999 and conveniently located in the Ewers Century Center at Central Florida Community College, PPI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, citizen-based organization dedicated to advancing public interest, building democracy and community, and improving the quality of life by involving citizens in addressing community issues. Additional information regarding the organization including past studies and seminars, a schedule of meetings and upcoming events, and membership is available by visiting the institute online or calling 352-291-4433.
About PPI: The Public Policy Institute of Marion County (PPI) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing public interest, building democracy and community, and improving the quality of life by involving citizens in addressing community issues.
For additional information about PPI: http://ppiofmarioncounty.cf.edu
