National Foster Care Month
Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity for people all across the nation to focus attention on the year-round needs of American children and youth in foster care. The campaign raises awareness about foster care and encourages many more citizens to get involved in the lives of these youth – whether as their foster parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways.
National Foster Care Month is sponsored by a partnership of organizations from across the country. The National Foster Care Coalition is a leading collaborator within the National Foster Care Month Partnership.
Campaign Goals:- Raise awareness about the magnitude of the issue and the urgent and sustaining needs of children and older youth in foster care and their families;
- Issue a national call-to-action that motivates, inspires and facilitates many more Americans to come forward and help change a lifetime for a young person in foster care; and,
- Develop a positive framework for maintaining visibility and interest in the foster care issue to support the year-round efforts of the National Foster Care Month Partner organizations and other child welfare agencies.
Foster Care Month also provides an opportunity for acknowledging the thousands of dedicated foster families and other caring individuals and organizations who are already supporting these young people.
The 2009 Campaign
National Foster Care Month launched with a journalist’s roundtable on May 4 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. View pictures from this event>
On May 5, the National Foster Care Coalition took part in advocacy training for youth as part of National Foster Care Month. Later that day, a Congressional Briefing and Reception were held. View pictures from this event>
On May 6, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu introduced the Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009 with the support of actress and advocate Rosie O’Donnell and a number of youth advocates. The Lifetime Television Network also took part in the event to promote “America,” a film on foster care in which Rosie O’Donnell star. View pictures from this event>
