WHEREAS,  National Foster Care Month originated in 1988 when the National Foster Parent Association persuaded the United States Congress to introduce a resolution to proclaim May as National Foster Care Month and to recognize and show appreciation for the tremendous contributions of foster parents across the nation; and

WHEREAS,  recognizing a Foster Care Month in Maine provides an opportunity for people to focus their attention on the year-round needs of children and youth in foster care and to raise awareness about foster care and encourages citizens to get involved in the lives of these children; and

WHEREAS,  Maine is strongly committed to the important task of ensuring that our children grow up healthy and safe, and boys and girls in foster care too often go without the love, protection and stability of a permanent family; and

WHEREAS,  during Foster Care Month, we recognize the foster parents and professionals who work every day to lift up the children in their care toward a bright, productive future; and

WHEREAS,  there are many children in Maine who are looking for permanency with caring parents and meaningful, long-term relationships that will help them transition into adulthood; and

WHEREAS,  in order to give foster youth the support they need, people in every Maine community are stepping up to serve as mentors, teachers, faith leaders, caseworkers, advocates and kinship caregivers to make a difference; now, therefore, be it