This year National Foster Family Week is recognized from October 20th to 26th. Foster and kin families play a vital role in the well-being of children throughout the year, but this particular week in October provides Children’s Aid Societies with an opportunity to inform the public about the dedication, love and commitment shown by these families to the children and youth in our care.
This special week also helps to bring attention to young people living in foster care and the fact that at this time, Highland Shores Children’s Aid and the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society face a continued need for families to foster teens and sibling groups.
Foster and kin parents work closely with CASs to provide temporary care of children and youth who often have complex needs. While the Society’s first preference is always for a young person to remain with their biological family, this is not always possible in situations where the safety or well-being of a child or youth is at risk. At times like these, foster families step in to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for a few days, weeks, months or possibly years. Foster Parents can also assist the Society in helping to prepare children for reunification with their biological families or for a permanent home with an adoptive family.
“Highland Shores Children’s Aid currently has foster and kin families who provide a supportive and caring environment for children and youth in the counties of Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward. They are the backbone of our protection work and so during Foster Family Week, we thank them for the positive impact they have had on the children and youth who have come into their care”, said Mark Kartusch, Executive Director of Highland Shores Children’s Aid.
Jennifer Wilson, Executive Director of the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society added, “Foster parents may come from a wide variety of religions, cultures or lifestyles, but they all share a common philosophy of wanting to provide a family environment for a child or youth in need. We could not do our work without them and so we congratulate those families for their continued commitment to the children we serve.”
The two societies will recognize the efforts of their foster and kin families with events held this month and extend their appreciation for the work of foster parents every day.
