May is Foster Care Month by Rochelle Schlortt
During the month of May, we celebrate and honor the wonderful Foster Families who have opened their homes, lives and hearts to foster children in need of nurturing adults. According to the 2010 fact sheet for the Colorado Division of Child Welfare, there are approximately 5,922 children in Foster and Group Homes in Colorado. Nationally, there are over 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system. Many children find their way into foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to care for them.
Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs deals with several special types of foster care. Our Life Connections Cradle Care homes provide a special foster home for babies who go into Cradle Care until the birth parent(s) decides to establish an adoption plan and move forward with the relinquishment of parental rights. This may occur at birth, when our counselors are called to the hospital to take custody of a child, or when a new parent needs a little more time to consider an adoption plan. Our Cradle Care Mom who has been with the program over 25 years has cared for 136 children. In calendar year 2010, Life Connections provided 17,856 hours of total foster care, and 2,496 hours of cradle foster care.
Additionally, all families who enter into our Life Connections adoption program are considered prospective Adoptive Families and provide a Family Foster Home during the transition between taking custody of a child, the relinquishment of birth parent(s) rights and when the baby ultimately becomes part of their family through adoption.
Regardless of the situation that results in a child entering into foster care, the families and individuals who open their hearts should certainly have a special month where they are recognized for their contributions and sacrifices they make to provide a special home for a child.
From our hearts to yours, thank you for all you do!
To read more about Foster Care Month, visit the Catholic News Agency
