Latest news with #NationalFosterCareMonth
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
KC area couple encouraging others to get involved for National Foster Care Month
SHAWNEE, Kan. — A local longtime foster family is encouraging others to get involved. May is National Foster Care Month as thousands of kids across Kansas and Missouri are in need of homes. 'They get adopted or get a good foster home,' Foster Parent Sheri Rice said. 'And it can change a kid's life.' Missouri counties denied state aid for tornado damage She knows firsthand how a supportive foster home can change the trajectory of a child's life. She and her husband, Ron Rice, fostered and adopted their son. They went on to become foster parents to more than 50 kids over the next ten years. Now, this couple has once again opened their home to a 15-year-old who was in a group home. 'People can think they're too old, like us, can do it. It isn't as hard as you might think,' Sheri Rice said. 'We don't always agree because I'm 75 and she's 15, but at the end of the day, she comes and wants her hug.' If the couple hadn't stepped in to foster, Ron Rice said the 15-year-old was at risk of being sent to live in another community. 'If they would've moved her, that would have pretty much been at least not the end, but stopped any frequent visits with her siblings,' he said. There are nearly 700 youth in foster care in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties as of April, according to KVC Kansas. KVC is a family of non-profits designed to strengthen families, prevent child abuse and improve mental wellness. They currently support more than 450 Kansas foster parents. In Missouri, the Dept. of Social Services says more than 11,000 youth are in foster care, hoping for a caring place to temporarily call home. 'It is alarming,' Valencia Eason, supervisor with Foster Case Management at KVC Valencia, said. Eason said the goal of foster care is reunification. 'Support and community is the biggest thing that helps grow and move these families toward reunifying,' Eason said. She said right now, there's a great need for foster parents, like Sheri Rice. She's also on the Board of Foster Care Ministry at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee. She said through donations, they provide support to foster families like food, clothing, furniture, even babysitting. Ron Rice said in the last three years, they've answered more than 300 requests for assistance. 'That does help to make a difference in a child's life,' he said. Sheri Rice said last year, they placed 60 beds in homes. Iconic KCK burger drive-in reopens under new ownership 'Forty-nine of those beds went to families, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and that meant 49 kids got out of foster care because of St. Joseph Church because they were able to provide a bed for them,' Sheri Rice said. 'So that makes my heart happy.' Last year, Foster Care Ministries were in seven parishes in the archdiocese. Now, 12 parishes provide support to foster families. 'Sometimes just having that support will keep a family from stopping foster care or keeps them from taking kids in because they won't have support,' Sheri Rice said. 'And we provide that, we try to help them.' If you're interested in fostering or adopting or want to find a way to use your gifts to give back, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio Senator part of effort to make May National Foster Care Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKBN) – The Senate passed a resolution to make May National Foster Care Month. Ohio Senator Jon Husted co-sponsored the resolution, which passed the Senate on Thursday. The legislation brings awareness to the challenges facing children in foster care, and encourages Congress to implement policies to improve their lives and support foster parents. Husted was adopted out of the foster care system. 'Loving foster families offer the stability and guidance when kids may need it most,' he said. 'I've seen how transformational a child's first years of life can be and strengthening the foster care system gives kids a better chance to achieve their version of the American dream. I'm honored to shine a light on foster families and the kids they love.' The number of Ohio kids in foster care has continued to increase during the opioid epidemic, outpacing the number of foster families in the state. It has estimated that half of children in foster care have one or both parents struggling with substance abuse, according to a recent study. The study shows that Ohio's foster care system serves more than 16,000 children, yet there are only 7,000 licensed foster families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol Report: A.I. legislation, Medicaid cuts, summer camp bill
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — This week on Capitol Report, the panel discusses the state Senate passing A.I. legislation, the 'Summer Camp Bill' and potential cuts to Medicaid. Then, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly joins the show to speak about National Foster Care Month. The panel discusses a recent exchange between Rep. MJ Shannon (D-117) and Rep. Joe Canino (R-65) over gender identity. Finally, the panel speaks on the Democrat vs. Republican Kickball game at Dunkin' Park. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Five Colorado families honored by state Department of Human Services for dedication to foster care
Five Colorado families honored by state Department of Human Services for dedication to foster care Five Colorado families honored by state Department of Human Services for dedication to foster care Five Colorado families honored by state Department of Human Services for dedication to foster care Over the weekend, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was filled with joy and celebration. The Colorado Department of Human Services continued its annual celebration of National Foster Care Month to encourage more Coloradans to become foster parents. The Colorado Department of Human Services celebrated National Foster Care Month. Colorado Department of Human Services Five incredible families were honored for their incredible dedication to nurturing youth in our state by becoming foster parents. On average, eight children and youth enter foster care each day in Colorado. Today, there are 3,407 children and youth living with Colorado's 2,034 certified kinship and foster families. Foster parents help families thrive by providing support for children and youth in foster care while their biological parents take the time they need to learn skills to become the parents their children need. The Colorado Department of Human Services celebrated National Foster Care Month at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Cora Kemp "When families step up, it means children and youth have a chance to feel safe and supported in a loving home," said Joe Homlar, director of the Division of Child Welfare for CDHS. "These families don't just care for kids — they actively help reduce trauma and, whenever possible, help prepare children to reunite with their biological families. That kind of commitment changes lives." The five families honored include: CBS News Colorado Anchor Mekialaya White was honored to emcee the event, as a foster care advocate with weekly Wednesday's Child reports.
The Hill
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Watch live: Trump, first lady hold event honoring military mothers
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to honor military mothers during an event at the White House on Thursday afternoon. The gathering comes just days before Mother's Day and as the Trump administration has made a push to support families, including issuing a memo in support of National Foster Care Month and pushing for a 'baby bonus' for new parents. Melania Trump will also unveil a new stamp later Thursday that will commemorate the life of former first lady Barbara Bush — who was a military mother. The late wife of former President George H.W. Bush, and mother of former President George W. Bush, died in 2018 at the age of 92. The event is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above.
