America's Untold Foster Care Story: 513,000 U.S. Youth in Search of a Brighter Future

SEATTLE, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 1st, National Foster Care Month kicks off its 20th annual awareness campaign on behalf of America's half a million youth in foster care. This effort, presented in partnership by 17 national child welfare organizations and led by Casey Family Programs, connects these vulnerable children to concerned, nurturing adults and resources they need throughout the year.

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MARKING A MILESTONE: 20 YEARS OF CARING

"In 1988, Senator Strom Thurmond introduced a resolution proclaiming May as National Foster Care Month. This helped draw more attention to the urgent needs of so many young people in out-of-home care," says Candice Douglass of Casey Family Programs and the campaign's chair. "Today, there are still many misconceptions about the purpose of foster care," adds Douglass. "Our goal is to help dispel the common myths, celebrate the many success stories, give voice to the young people themselves, and, most importantly, call on all Americans to do something positive that will change a lifetime for youth in foster care in your own community."

    THE MAGNITUDE OF FOSTER CARE
    Foster care is an issue that touches so many lives. In the U.S. there are:
    --  An estimated 12 million alumni of foster care;
    --  513,000 youth currently in care; and,
    --  Hundreds of thousands of dedicated people making a positive difference
        for foster children as mentors, social workers, advocates, foster and
        adoptive parents, and in other ways.

WHAT IS FOSTER CARE?

Many people are unaware of the year-round needs of children in the system, or don't understand what foster care is about. Children are placed in foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential wellbeing. Most of these youth will either safely reunite with their parents, be cared for by relatives, or be adopted by loving families.

But some children are less fortunate. Every year, more than 20,000 older youth "age out" of foster care and are left alone to face life's challenges. Research shows that alumni of foster care are far more likely than their peers in the general population to endure homelessness, poverty, compromised health, unemployment, and other adversities after they leave the system.

No matter their age, all foster youth need a meaningful connection to a caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in their lives.

    IF NOTHING CHANGES BY THE YEAR 2020:
    --  Nearly 14 million children will be confirmed as victims of child abuse
        and neglect;
    --  22,500 children will die of abuse or neglect, most before their fifth
        birthday;
    --  9,000,000 more children will experience the foster care system;
    --  More than 300,000 children will age out of the foster care system,
        most with inadequate support to build successful adult lives; and,
    --  75,000 former foster youth can expect to experience homelessness.

    (Estimated projections are for 2005 -- 2020)

A CALL TO ACTION:

May is National Foster Care Month. Now is the time to get involved. The campaign's message is simple: No matter how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will "Change a Lifetime" for a young person in foster care. For more information about the campaign, planned community events, and the many ways to get involved, visit www.fostercaremonth.org or call 888-799-KIDS (5437).

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH is a partnership of Casey Family Programs; the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services; Black Administrators in Child Welfare; Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Child Welfare League of America; Foster Care Alumni of America; FosterClub; Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative; APHSA/National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators; National Association of Social Workers; National Association of State Foster Care Managers; National CASA; National Foster Care Coalition; the National Foster Parent Association; National Indian Child Welfare Association; and the National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning at the Hunter College School of Social Work, a Service of the Children's Bureau.