RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES MAY AS “FOSTER CARE MONTH” IN PA

          HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Senator LeAnna M. Washington (D- Philadelphia/Montgomery) today received unanimous consideration to declare May “Foster Care Month in Pennsylvania.”

          “According to the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, there are over 20,000 children in foster care in Pennsylvania,” Washington said.  " It is important that we honor the parents who have opened their hearts and their homes to these children.  

          “Thousands of children continue to stream into the foster care system nationwide, yet the number of foster homes has steadily decreased. Foster families are desperately needed.”

          “It is my goal, in recognizing May as Foster Care Month, to focus attention on the foster care system and the need to keep foster children in their own communities and schools.” 

          Washington added that it is particularly important to keep siblings together and that separating brothers and sisters can cause irreparable harm to children. 

          “Whenever possible we should do everything we can to honor the bonds in families," Washington said.

          Washington said it also important for the public to remember teens who often languish in the foster care system and are not considered for adoption. 

         "I know many people would like to adopt infants and small children, but I hope they don't forget that teens want permanent families too," Washington said. 

          Washington added that she is proud of those parents that consider adopting teens as well as younger children.

          Washington, Democratic Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, said she will remain a strong advocate for families who take foster children into their homes.

          “Foster Care Month allows us to honor existing foster families and child welfare workers and increase the number of foster families and volunteers, while raising public awareness about the need to keep children connected to their extended family,” Washington said.