5 Ways to Support Foster Care Awareness Month in May
May is foster care awareness month—and awareness starts with an understanding of the situation at hand. Foster care as a concept dates back to the earliest days of our country. However, in the early 1900s, social agencies and state governments became more involved by supervising the foster parents and making intentional placements based on the child’s need.* And while improvements to the system continue to be made year after year, there is still much to be done.
Roughly 10,000 kids in Washington State were in foster care last year. Lack of support for parents, mental illness, addiction, and poverty can all play a role in why kids are removed from their homes. These are adult problems that children end up paying for. Our programs at Skookum work together to make sure kids are safe, taken care of by healthy adults, and that they know how loved and valuable they are while their lives are turned upside down. Here are few other ways to help spread awareness this month:
Educate yourself on the current state of foster care in Washington and beyond
Check out this website to learn more about foster care in our state.
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Set up a volunteer or Foster Parent interest meeting
Want to know more about getting involved directly with foster care kids? You can start by becoming a volunteer or by setting up a meeting to learn more about foster parenting. One of Skookum’s greatest needs right now is consistent monthly volunteers at our emergency shelter for foster kids who stay with us their first few days away from home.
Watch and share this video
4. Know how to report abuse
If you have reason to believe a child has been absued or neglected, make an anonymous report at 1-866-END-HARM. Keeping kids safe is everyone’s job. You can also share and save this post.
5. If you know any foster families, cook a meal or offer a night of childcare
A very small but tangible way to support foster care awareness month is to support those working in foster care. Bring a meal to a foster parent or offer to babysit.
*https://nfpaonline.org/page-1105741