LAX Leader

WASHINGTON, DC -- This week, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) was joined by Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01), Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), all members of the Foster Youth Caucus, in introducing a resolution to recognize the month of May as Foster Care Month, uplift foster care issues, highlight the importance of permanency for every child, and recognize the essential role that foster parents, social workers, and advocates have in the lives of children in the foster care system.

"This month we recognize Foster Care Month and its theme: ‘Strengthening Minds. Uplifting Families.’ I was proud to introduce this resolution along with my colleagues in the Foster Youth Caucus," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "It is important for any society to have strong resources that can meet the needs of its children. That is why investing in our foster care system is so important. We must support the children in our foster care system and recognize the importance of social workers and advocates as they fight to ensure that all children have safe and loving homes. I will continue to work with my colleagues to support our foster youth and improve our child welfare system."

"Foster kids face many obstacles through no fault of their own,” said Congressman Bacon. “My wife and I are foster-to-adopt parents, and I want our kids and every kid in foster care to know they can achieve anything. During this month, I hope we can increase awareness about issues that foster kids face, and open conversations about policy changes that will make life easier for them."

“As one of the bipartisan Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I am committed to see that our nation’s foster youth remain a priority in this Congress and am pleased to join in introducing with this bipartisan resolution which builds on the recent proclamation issued by President Biden celebrating National Foster Care Month," said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. "This resolution recognizes foster youth for their tenacity, courage, and resilience and acknowledges the efforts of the child welfare workforce, foster parents, and other stakeholders working to support our foster children.

I remain committed to working with Rep. Kamlager Dove, Rep. Bacon, Rep Scanlon, Rep Mace, and Rep. Nunn to use this Caucus to advance thoughtful and bipartisan policies to help foster youth including increased access adequate housing, health care and employment when they age out, to invest in prevention services to prevent families from being broken in the first place, and to expand and support kinship care, among many other proven and effective policies that we know can work to help those in our foster care system," continued Congresswoman Moore.

"This National Foster Care Month, I want to join the President and my colleagues in expressing gratitude to every loving foster parent in America and to let those young people navigating the child welfare system know that they are not forgotten,” said Congresswoman Moore.

“As a mother and a lawmaker, we are proud to support National Foster Care Month," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. "This month, we recognize the thousands of foster families and children who are in the system and the dedicated social workers and advocates who work tirelessly to improve outcomes for these children. We must continue to prioritize strengthening and supporting our foster care system to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and loving home. Let us use this month as a reminder of our obligation to give these vulnerable children the care and support they deserve."

“Before coming to Congress, I spent decades working as a child advocate, seeing firsthand the challenges that young people and those who serve them face in finding permanent homes and connections,” said Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. “It's why one of my top priorities in Congress is to confront the challenges of our foster care system, support the more than 391,000 children it serves, and provide the resources that those dedicated to serving them need to ensure their bright futures. Raising awareness about the need to invest in the lives of children and youth in foster care is an important part of building support and driving change – that’s why I’m proud to join my co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in recognizing May as National Foster Care Month.”

“As a dad of two foster children who we recently adopted, I’m honored to introduce legislation that would recognize May as Foster Care Month,” said Congressman Zach Nunn. “As a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I’ve been working to help other families on their foster journey, and I look forward to continuing that bipartisan work during Foster Care Month.”  

There are nearly 500,000 children in the foster care system. Our nation’s foster youth face significant challenges, including disparities in outcomes in health, education, employment, and involvement with the justice system. Foster youth have been hit particularly hard by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove will continue to advocate for children in Congress to ensure their safety and provide them with every opportunity for growth and success.

Original source can be found here.