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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing May 2018 as “Foster Care Month” in the County of El Dorado.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Child Welfare Services, recommends the Board proclaim the month of May 2018 as “Foster Care Month” in the County of El Dorado.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
At the national level, May is known as National Foster Care Month. In California, May is known as Resource Family Appreciation Month. Approval was enacted by legislation sponsored by County Welfare Directors Association of California in 2007 and expanded through Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012). The statute requires the California Department of Social Services, in consultation with county child welfare agencies, including Juvenile Probation, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, to implement a unified, family friendly and child-centered resource family approval process.
There is an overwhelming need for individuals, families, and communities to become involved as resource families, respite providers, volunteers, or mentors of children who need an adult role model. Some ways to help include the following:
- Becoming a resource family.
- Volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children.
- Being a mentor or "supportive adult" in a youth's life.
- Joining or hosting a fundraising event.
- Donating services, goods, computers, etc., to older youth in foster care.
- Lending a hand to help current foster parents and caregivers with their day-to-day needs.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a resource family can visit the County’s Human Services’ webpage at https://www.edcgov.us/Government/HumanServices/Protective%20Services/Pages/child_protective_services.aspx and take the opportunity to learn more about how to become a resource family.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Boa...
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