NATIONAL FOSTER CARE DAY | First Tuesday in May – National Day Calendar

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE DAY

We are raising our voices on the first Tuesday in May to celebrate National Foster Day and encourage everyone to wear blue in support for foster youth in the U.S.

#FOSTERCAREBLUE

As we kick off Foster Care Month, we are providing the platform to help repair a system that is plagued with shortages nationwide. National Foster Care Day shines a badly needed light on the foster care system. There is a nationwide shortage of foster parents. In addition, stipends provided to foster care parents do no cover the essentials of a growing child.

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Every 2 minutes, a new child is placed within the foster care system. Currently, there are over 400,000 children in the system at any given time. Many youth enter the foster care system with little to no belongings. Sadly, many of these kids have also suffered the effects of abuse, poverty, neglect, or even the death of their loved ones. The need for support services, essential items, and foster parents is high. Foster children have an uphill battle with startling statistics to overcome and need the support of our communities across the country.

Foster Care Statistics

1. Around 250,00 children enter foster care each year.
2. Only 50% of youth in foster care graduate high school.
3. Foster children suffer PTSD at more than twice the rate of U.S. war veterans.
4. One out of five foster children experience homelessness within 1 year of aging out of care.
5. One-third of young women in foster care are pregnant or parenting by the age of 17 or 18.
6. More than 70% of inmates incarcerated were in the foster care system at one point.
7. Stipends do not cover the essentials of a growing child.

When you volunteer to become a court appointed special advocate or foster care parent you receive specialized training. You are not just providing a home for the child, you are a representative providing a safe haven for abused and neglected children.

Nationwide, there is a shortage of licensed foster homes. In the U.S. alone, more than 100,000 children waiting for a family to call home. Organizations like Ticket to Dream and Project Blue will help guide you on your journey to become a foster parent. Together, you will make a difference to help foster children heal and grow to their full potential.

RAISE AWARENESS

1. Volunteer for your local foster care nonprofit to raise funding.
2. Open your hope to a foster child by becoming a foster parent.
3. Share this page to increase awareness and interest in the foster care system.
4. Wear blue to show support for foster care youth.
5. Share your stories about foster care using #FosterCareBlue on social media.

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar in partnership with Ticket to Dream Foundation and the Project Blue, collaborated to create National Foster Care Day. This National Day aims to increase awareness surrounding the needs of children in foster care, the opportunities for volunteers, and the benefits of improving the system.