May is National Foster Care Month

WHEREAS, children are key to Colorado’s future success, prosperity and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, children have a right to thrive, learn and grow in a safe environment; and

WHEREAS, foster parents provide the care, safety and stability for children and youth in foster care whose parents need time to learn new skills to become the parents their kids need them to be; and

WHEREAS, each day in Colorado, approximately 9 children and youth enter foster care while a child’s parent(s) or caregiver(s) address safety concerns in the home; and

WHEREAS, Colorado foster parents are caring for more than 3,600 children and youth in out-of-home placement today; and

WHEREAS, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of foster parents in every community and is in need of families willing to care for older youth, children with complex behavioral and mental health needs, siblings groups and children whose first language in not English; and

WHEREAS, we must recognize the important role foster parents play in caring for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, supporting family reunification and building strong communities; and

WHEREAS, we all play a role in ensuring Colorado’s children are healthy and safe, and are able to reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, we all play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect by strengthening families;

THEREFORE, I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2023, as National Foster Care Month in the state of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this first day of May 2023.