Kinship caregiver urges committee to fund childcare, legal and basic needs during House Bill 7 hearing

A kinship caregiver who appeared in person told the Children and Human Services Committee that House Bill 7 — a bill described at the hearing as providing childcare support for foster and kinship placements — would relieve financial pressure on relatives and third-party caregivers and help meet children's day-to-day needs.

The witness, introduced to the committee as "Miss Jones" and who identified herself in remarks as Carmine Thompson Jackson, described providing for children placed with her without receiving assistance. "I've had to pay for uniforms, basketballs, cleats — anything I can do — but I can't do it alone," she said. Jackson told the committee she had paid out of pocket for school clothes and activities and described children she cares for as missing out on social activities because of cost.

Jackson testified that some caregivers rely on food pantries and churches to provide meals, that child support is often unpaid, and that legal fees to defend custody arrangements can be unaffordable. She said one child in her care was isolated from kinship members and had begun "chewing holes in her sleeves," and that some children curl up and cry because there is no lunch. Jackson encouraged the committee to consider the broader effects on children's self-esteem: "It not only is giving money to the kinship parent, the caregiver, It's building the self esteem in these children and that's what's missing."

Representative Brownlee thanked Jackson for speaking on behalf of children, saying, "If we listen to what kids tell us, then we know what to do." Chairwoman White noted the witness had provided written testimony that members could review along with her verbal remarks.

Committee members did not take a vote on House Bill 7 during this session. The hearing record included two written testimonies and Jackson’s in-person comments; Chairwoman White said she would contact members about next steps.