Pennsylvania DHS Recognizes May as Foster Care Awareness Month

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Human Services (DHS) believes every child should live in a safe and supportive home. May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and the Department honors foster parents and others involved in the lives of Pennsylvania's foster children.

"We appreciate the love, hard work, and dedication of foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and others in the commonwealth who help children and youth in foster care," said acting DHS Secretary Ted Dallas. "Ultimately, we hope all the children and youth in foster care will be placed in loving, permanent homes when they cannot be safely returned to their own family."

There are approximately 15,000 children and youth in foster care in Pennsylvania. The state's successful #MeetTheKids campaign has focused on older youth looking for permanent homes. The commercials can be viewed at www.adoptpakids.org.

Foster families are like any other families and want the best for children; to provide a safe, secure, nurturing environment.

The Department partners with Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association, which is celebrating National Foster Care Month on May 9 at a Harrisburg Senators' game. Foster parents are invited to attend the buffet picnic. For tickets or information, contact PSRFA: www.psrfa.org

For more information on becoming a foster parent, call the SWAN Helpline at 1-800-585-SWAN or visit www.adoptpakids.org or www.psrfa.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

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