| 1 | 1 | | StateofVermont |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | HouseofRepresentatives |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | Montpelier,Vermont |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | ConcurrentHouseResolution |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | H.C.R.104 |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | OfferedbyCommitteeonHumanServices |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | HouseconcurrentresolutionrecognizingMay2025asNationalFosterCareMonthinVermont |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | Whereas,accordingtotheU.S.ChildWelfareInformationGateway,thereareover365,000children |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | andyouthinfostercare,and“77percentofeligibleyouthinfostercare,ages14–21yearsold,leftcare |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | withoutreceivingthefederallyfundedservicesnecessarytopreparethemforadulthoodand |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | independentliving,” and |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | Whereas,theDepartmentforChildrenandFamiliesreportsthatasofApril 1,2025,868Vermont |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | childrenwereinfostercare,therewere820licensedfostercaregiversand174caregiverlicenseswere |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | pending,andapproximately35percentoffostercaregiverswerefamilymembersorclosefriendswho |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | voluntarilysecuredfostercarelicensure, and |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | Whereas,onMay10,1988,attheinitiativeoftheU.S.Children’sBureau,PresidentRonaldReagan |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | signedProclamation5820establishingFosterCareMonth,whichcontinuestobeobservedannuallyto |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | directthepublic’sattentiontothenation’ssystemoffostercare, and |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | Whereas,Proclamation5820acknowledgedthat“thefamilyhastheprimeresponsibilityfor |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | nurturingchildren…[but]someparentsareunabletoprovideaminimallyacceptablelevelofcarefor |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | theirchildren,andtemporaryorpermanentalternativeplacementisnecessary…[andthat]fostercare |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | must…[focus]onthewell-beingofthechild,” and |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | Whereas,the2025themeforNationalFosterCareMonthis“EngagingYouth.BuildingSupports. |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | StrengtheningOpportunities.”— athemethat“highlightstheneedtocreateachildwelfaresystemthat |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | authenticallyengagesandsupportsyoungpeoplewhoarepreparingtoleavefostercare,”acurrenttopic |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | ofgreatconcerninthefostercarecommunity,nowthereforebeit |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | ResolvedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentatives: |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | ThattheGeneralAssemblyrecognizesMay2025asNationalFosterCareMonthinVermont,andbe |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | itfurther |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | Resolved:ThattheSecretaryofStatebedirectedtosendacopyofthisresolutiontotheSystemof |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | CareUnitDirectorattheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies’FamilyServicesDivision. |
|---|