WHEREAS, the children of Alaska are our most precious resource and every child deserves a safe, loving, and stable home in which to grow, learn, and play; and
WHEREAS, foster parents, including kinship caregivers, face immense challenges, and display selfless courage as they care for children in need with their only incentive being the desire to provide a loving, safe, environment for a child; and
WHEREAS, foster parents, while keeping children and youth safe, also play a key role in aiding families with reunification and provide stable resources to help them work through and overcome the hardships they may be experiencing; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans benefit from the unselfish dedication put forward by those willing to foster children of all ages. Foster parents deserve our gratitude and respect for the work they do every day and their contributions to the well-being of Alaskan families are incalculable and irreplaceable; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans who are able and willing to open their homes to children in need are encouraged to learn about becoming a foster parent by calling (800) 478-7307 or visiting the Alaska Office of Children’s Services online at http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/fostercare/default.aspx; and
WHEREAS, we are grateful for the many Alaskan foster parents, kinship caregivers, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and other community members throughout the state who open their hearts and homes each day to provide the support that our children and youth in foster care need and deserve.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as:
Foster Parent Appreciation Month
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize and celebrate foster parents in their communities, and to consider participating in the programs that care for some of the most vulnerable members of our society when they need it most.
Dated: May 1, 2022
