San Diego Foster Families and Children Attend Padres Game on May 10th

May is National Foster Care Month, raising public awareness of the 513,000 children in foster care.

SAN DIEGO, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Foster Care Month, Casey Family Programs will sponsor an evening with the Padres for over 100 foster families and children in San Diego County. Casey Family Programs and other members of the San Diego Foster Care Coalition will be at the ballpark to celebrate children, families and the people who make a difference for children in foster care. The purpose is to raise awareness about how each of us can make a difference in the life of a child in foster care. There are 6,300 children and youth in San Diego County who need a permanent lifelong connection to a caring adult or family.

Each May, National Foster Care Month focuses attention on the 513,000 children in foster care in America. Also, the month salutes the compassionate people who make a difference by serving as foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers, and volunteers. The theme for this year is You Can Change a Lifetime. Individuals can learn more information about foster care at www.fostercaremonth.org.

Along with all foster families and children receiving a complimentary ticket, there will be:

• Photo and interview opportunities with foster families and child welfare experts.
• Interview opportunities with Jorge Cabrera, national spokesman of Foster Care Month and San Diego resident.
• Resource booth with information on how individuals and communities Can Change a Lifetime.

WHAT: National Foster Care Month Event in San Diego

WHEN: Saturday, May 10, 2008

7:05 p.m.

WHERE: Petco Park

100 Park Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92101

About Casey Family Programs

Casey Family Programs is the largest national operating foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve - and ultimately prevent the need for - foster care. The foundation draws on over 40 years of experience and expert research and analysis to improve the lives of children and youth in foster care in two important ways: by providing direct services and support to foster families, and by promoting improvements in child welfare practice and policy. The Seattle-based foundation was established in 1966 by United Parcel Service (UPS) founder Jim Casey, and has a current endowment of $2.5 billion.

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.