REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of May 2025 National Foster Care and Resource Parent Awareness Month
Report
BACKGROUND
In 1998, National Foster Care Awareness Month was established to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children in foster care find permanent homes, healthy connections, and the resources to lead a successful and rewarding life. National Foster Care and Resource Parent Awareness Month brings further awareness for the increasing need for more help and support for foster care in our communities.
Throughout Santa Clara County, over 600 children live in out-of-home care and approximately half of these children need a stable and nurturing family to care for them. Currently, there are approximately 151 active foster/resource homes that help care for children, however there is a constant need to recruit new foster/resource families.
Resource or foster parents care for youth who cannot live and be cared for by their relatives or extended non-related family members. Resource (foster) parents fulfill a vital role in ensuring that youth are safe and nurtured to grow and thrive.
The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's services (DFCS) makes every effort to place youth with resource (foster) families who can provide the right family space for a specific youth. This helps to provide comfort and hope.
DISCUSSION
At the City Council meeting on May 27, 2025, the City of Santa Clara will proclaim May 2025 as National Foster Care and Resource Parent Awareness Month. Representatives from the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) will be present to accept the proclamation.
As part of National Foster Care and Resource Parent Awareness Month, the Santa Clara County DFCS honors and acknowledges foster/resource parents, children and youth who are in foster care, family members, and ot...
Click here for full text