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, children in our communities that must be temporarily removed from their home to address their physical and emotional needs rely on others to provide a nurturing home; and
WHEREAS, foster parents, including kinship caregivers, face immense challenges, but they display selfless courage and provide safe environments for vulnerable children; and
WHEREAS, while keeping children safe, foster parents also play a key role in aiding families with reunification, and they provide stable resources to help children and their families work through the hardships they may be experiencing; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans benefit from the unselfish dedication put forward by those willing to become foster parents, so those individuals deserve our gratitude and respect for their incalculable and irreplaceable contributions to the well-being of Alaskan families; 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 by visiting the Alaska Office of Children’s Services website at dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/pages/fostercare; 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 to children and youth in foster care.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 2023 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, 2023
