Bonamici, Thompson, Davis, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Grandfamily, Kinship Caregivers for Children

WASHINGTON, DC [7/21/26] - Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Danny Davis (D-IL), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation to support families in which children do not have parents in the home.

About 2.5 million children across the United States are being raised in grandfamilies, in which grandparents raise children, or kinship families, in which adult relatives or close family friends raise children. Grandfamilies and kinship families play an essential role because they preserve family connections, prevent children from entering foster care, and promote family stability. Without these caregivers, the foster care system would be overwhelmed and cost taxpayers an additional $10.5 billion annually.

The Supporting Grandfamilies Act of 2026 would reauthorize the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies & Kinship Families to strengthen the nation's response to and support for these families.

"Living with grandparents or extended family and friends can provide children with the stability they need to thrive when their parents aren't able to care for them," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "We must support these essential caregivers, who often face additional barriers. The bipartisan Supporting Grandfamilies Act will extend support for families and children at a critical time in their lives."

"Pennsylvania's grandparents and relatives frequently step in to provide unconditional support to their grandkids and children every day, and often for years on end," saidRep. Thompson. "As primary caregivers, it's necessary to provide access to resources that will help them navigate the child welfare system. The Supporting Grandfamilies Act of 2026 provides caregivers who are raising kids and grandkids, with support, ensuring older primary caregivers have the tools needed to support our next generation."

"My Congressional District historically has the highest percentage of children living with kinship caregivers in the country," said Rep. Davis. "I am proud to join with Representatives Bonamici, Thompson, and Nunn in leading the Supporting Grandfamilies Act to ensure that the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network continues providing the critical and coordinated support to kinship and grandparent caregivers. For these families, connections to extra resources serve as crucial lifelines. Supporting kinship caregivers strengthens families, promotes stability, and helps children thrive."

"Not every family looks the same. Kelly and I adopted two of our daughters, and across the country, there are 2.5 million kids being raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives - not because of a government mandate, but because family stepped up when the alternative was foster care," said Rep. Nunn. "Those caregivers said yes without hesitation, often with little warning and fewer resources. Our bill reauthorizes the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network for another five years to ensure that when a family steps up, they aren't navigating that journey alone."

The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network is the National Technical Assistance Center (TA Center) led by Generations United through a five-year cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The TA Center brings together national experts and partner organizations to develop evidence-based tools and promote innovative practices that help communities better meet the needs of kinship families and grandfamilies. The Supporting Grandfamilies Act of 2026 guarantees this information work continues by providing funding for the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network for another five years.

The text of the legislation can be read here.

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