Kinship Care and Concurrent Custody

For the past three years, The Florida Kinship Center, Kinship Caregivers, and other Kinship Service Providers have gone to Tallahassee for the annual Kinship Rally In Tally to encourage legislators to support concurrent custody legislation. As of July 1, 2010, this legislation went into effect. First and foremost, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of those who have taken the time out of their busy schedules to beat the drum for kinship issues and also for those who took the consideration to support such legislation.

Concurrent custody legislation revises provisions relating to petitions & court orders awarding temporary custody of a child or children to an extended family member, to also provide for concurrent custody with parents of child. The legislation provides that if a parent objects to the petition for concurrent custody, the court may not grant the petition & must give the petitioner the option of converting the petition to one for temporary custody. Concurrent custody does not affect the ability of parents to obtain physical custody of child at any time. The court may terminate the order for concurrent custody if parent withdraws his or her consent to order.

For more information regarding concurrent custody legislation, please contact our legal education line through the Kinship Care Warmline 800-640-6444.

Facebook and The Florida Kinship Center

In an effort to serve the masses and promote the issues of kinship caregivers statewide, The Florida Kinship Center has established an Official Fan Page on Facebook. Facebook is a social networking site used by students and professionals alike to stay abreast of issues concerning them most and to keep connected with those they contact. The Florida Kinship Center acknowledges the power of such a tool and would like to encourage you all to find us on Facebook and stay tuned for powerful discussions, events, and other happenings with regard to The Florida Kinship Center.