House Passes Resolution to Establish National Foster Parents Day

On April 23, the House approved, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Res. 179) to establish a National Foster Parents Day to recognize the contributions of foster parents, and urging the president to issue a proclamation calling on the people and interested groups to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for foster parents across the nation.

Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-KS), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

foster families, who open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children heal and reconnect and in launching those children into successful adulthood;
over 500,000 youth are in foster care with at least 380,000 in a family-home setting; and
numerous individuals and public and private organizations work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in foster care and leaving foster care as well as of the enduring and valuable contributions of foster parents.Rep. Boyda said, “When tragedy strikes or turmoil rips a family apart, children are left dislocated and need a new place to call home, at least for a while. Because many of these kids grew up in unstable households, some suffer emotional disturbances. Some are grieving the loss of their parents. All have endured more than any child should and all deserve a caring and supportive family. Today, over 500,000 American children still need a temporary home, a foster home. Today, 380,000 have found one, thanks to foster parents.”
Rep. Fortney Stark (D-CA) said, “Without the compassion of thousands of foster parents, our foster care system would fall apart. Foster parents are the glue that holds the child welfare system together.” Rep. Stark stated that a National Foster Parents Day will “shed much needed light on the struggles of our foster children as well as the sacrifices made by the families that welcome those children into their homes and move them toward brighter futures. It will also provide a forum to discuss the improvements that must be made to our foster care system. Finally, we will encourage more families to become foster parents by recognizing the vital role that foster parents play in the lives of children.”