May is National Foster Care Month!
It is a time to acknowledge and celebrate child welfare professionals and foster families. It is also a time to reflect on how Maine continues to struggle with a shortage of available licensed foster homes. Children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are in need of temporary, loving care; until they are able to safely return home to their birth families, or transition to an adoptive home. However, LGBTQ+ children and youth and those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder disproportionately face more challenges. We urgently need community members who have experience or are willing to learn, to open their homes to provide care for these youth. This year, we emphasize how it is essential to have a role in community networks that take a holistic and culturally responsive approach to supporting our state’s diverse populations. Have you ever wondered how you could serve your community? Do you love children? We invite you to open your heart and learn more about the many different ways you can get involved in helping Maine children in care.
