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Vol. 4, No. 2 • May 2000
North Carolina Foster Parent Association Update

May is Foster Care Month!

The 500,000 American children in foster care, and the foster parents who care for them, are largely invisible to the American public. National Foster Care Month encourages communities to honor foster parents for helping children in need of secure homes.

National proclamations have been the impetus for state, county, and city proclamations of May as Foster Care Month. Foster parent associations and foster care agencies use the month as a time to recognize foster parents and carry out intensive recruitment campaigns for new foster parents. Recognition banquets, award ceremonies, and picnics are just a few of the activities that take place each May all around the country (Connect for Kids, 1999).

This year Governor Hunt has joined other states in proclaiming May "Foster Care Month." Below is his full proclamation.

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Save the Date!
Don't miss the NC Foster Parent
Association's 2000 conference! Like these folks who attended last year's event, you're sure to learn (and laugh) a lot!

Get ready and mark down the date for our upcoming fall conference for North Carolina's foster parents. It is good for 10 training hours, not to mention the outstanding selection of workshops, keynote speakers, and the chance to meet foster parents from all over the state. This year's conference will be held in early November (location to be announced). This year you will also be able to register for the conference and sign up for workshops via our web page. If you or your group want to present a workshop at the conference contact Nancy Carter (t: 900/820-0001, e: [email protected]).

Governor Hunt's Proclamation of May
as Foster Care Month

WHEREAS, the family, serving as the primary source of love, security and support, is the very foundation of our communities and our State; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, the lives of thousands of children and families are disrupted each year by crisis or conflicts in their homes; and
WHEREAS, over 4,698 foster parents respond to the needs of these families by providing love, care and guidance until the children return to their own families or move to other permanent homes; and
WHEREAS, foster families are an invaluable resource and perform an extraordinary service by working in partnership with agencies to nurture children and provide an opportunity for healthy growth and development; and
WHEREAS, numerous individuals and public and private organizations are working to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and leaving foster care; and
WHEREAS, we should honor these men and women for providing love, attention and support to these children and their families in need;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES B. HUNT JR., Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2000, as "FOSTER CARE MONTH" in North Carolina, and urge our citizens to recognize the important service these caring individuals provide for our State's youngest citizens.

Schedule a Visit from Your NCFPA Rep!

If you would like a representative of the NCFPA to visit and talk to your foster parent association or county DSS, e-mail us through our web page with a date and time you'd like them to visit. We are currently doing trainings on advocacy, knowing the chain of command within DSS, and how to start and maintain a foster parent association.

 

Special Events Celebrate Foster Care Month

As a celebration of foster parents, the NC Division of Social Services and Connie Drew, of NC Kids, will be conducting workshops in four different locations:

  • Asheville (5/13)
  • Atlantic Beach (5/27)
  • Greensboro (5/20)
  • Rocky Mount (5/20)

These events, called Foster Parent Month 2000, are for current and potential foster parents, foster care professionals, child advocates, religious leaders, and supervisors.

These one-day celebrations will provide information, support, and recognition of foster families. Participants will learn about important issues in foster care by attending workshops and viewing videos. They will also get a chance to meet and share information and ideas with foster parents and others touched by foster care.

These meetings will also feature an awards luncheon where foster parents from each agency will be honored. Honorees will be selected from nominations submitted by their agencies.

Registration is FREE. Foster parents can receive training credits for participation in workshops or self-paced learning sessions. Interested? Call the Division's Amelia Lance at 919/733-3804.

Meet Our New Board Members There on some new faces on the NCFPA's 2000_2001 Board of Directors. You can meet them by visiting their web page and clicking on "Meet the New Board Members." If they have access to e-mail, you can click on their name below their picture and send them e-mail.

 

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families