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May is Foster Care Month

5/17/2002:   When we think of May, we usually think of spring, Mother's Day, and the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day. However we are in the midst of another important event -- National Foster Care Month. The theme for this year's event is "Recognizing People Who Make a Difference."

National Foster Care Month is a collaboration among Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support (www.casey.org/cnc), National Foster Care Coalition (www.nfcap.org), National Foster Parent Association (www.nfpainc.org), and Child Welfare League of America (www.cwla.org).

Among the goals for the month are to:
  • Honor existing foster families and child welfare workers;
  • Raise public awareness of the need for more foster families, the need to keep siblings in care together, and the need to keep children in foster care in their own communities;
  • Reframe the debate over foster care so that the success stories and positive aspects are highlighted;
  • Inform policymakers, business leaders, and others in communities across the country of the needs of young people making the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency; and
  • Put a human face on what is perceived to be a foster care "system."


A packet of information materials for Foster Care Month can help you to maximize your involvement in this public education campaign, not only for this special month, but on an ongoing basis.. We have included messages and themes, a sample letter for contacting your governor and mayor, materials for reaching out to the media, and fact sheets.

The materials contained in the foster care month packet can be accessed through the newly-created web site www.fostercaremonth.org.

Some other helpful Foster Care websites include:
Children's Bureau Express
www.calib.com/cbexpress

Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan
www.rowellfosterchildren.org

Connect for Kids
www.connectforkids.org

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