WHEREAS, the children of Alaska are our most precious resource and every child deserves a safe, loving, and stable home in which to grow, learn, and play; and

WHEREAS, foster parents, including kinship caregivers, face enormous challenges, and display selfess courage as they care for children in need with their only incentive being the desire to provide a loving, safe, environment for a child; and

WHEREAS, foster parents, while keeping children and youth safe, also play a key role in aiding families with reunification and provide stable resources to help them work through and overcome the hardships they may be experiencing; and

WHEREAS, Alaskans benefit from the unselfish dedication put forward by those willing to foster children of all ages. Foster parents deserve our gratitude and respect for the work they do every day and their contributions to the well-being of Alaskan families are incalculable and irreplaceable; and

WHEREAS, Alaskans who are able and willing to open their homes to children in need are encouraged to learn about becoming a foster parent by calling (800) 478-7037 or visiting the Alaska Office of Children’s Services online at http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/fostercare/default.aspx; and

WHEREAS, we express our gratitude and respect to the many Alaskan foster parents, kinship caregivers, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and other community members throughout the state who make such a meaningful difference in the lives of our children and youth in foster care.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as:

Foster Parent Appreciation Month

in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize and celebrate foster parents in their communities, and to consider participating in the programs that care for some of the most vulnerable members of our society when they need it most.