To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim May 2025 as National Foster Care Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring May 2025 National Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children's Bureau.
Each May, child welfare agencies and children and family organizations raise awareness of issues related to foster care and acknowledge the parents, family members, foster parents, child welfare and related professionals, mentors, policymakers, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections.
The Employment and Human Services Department’s Children and Family Services Bureau administers the Foster Care program in Contra Costa County.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The county will not officially recognize children and youth in the foster care system, or the resource families and caregivers in Contra Costa County.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Proclaiming May 2025 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County:
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County recognizes the critical role foster families, relative caregivers, social workers, service providers, and community partners play in supporting the health, safety, and well-being of children and youth in foster care; and
WHEREAS, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care, the importance of ensuring children live in safe, healthy, and loving environments, and the value of resource families or foster caregivers who can help provide this stability and support strengthen child and family bonds; and
WHEREAS, when some children and teens are unable to safely remain in the home of their families of origin, resource families serve as a source of compassion, care, and nurturing; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County there were 584 children and youth in out-of-home placements in March 2025 for whom resource families provided safe, secure and stable environments, and
WHEREAS, of the 584 children and youth, 179 (approximately 31%) are in the care of relative and Non-Related Extended Family Members (NREFM) placements; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County’s Kinship Support Services Programs are crucial for supporting relatives as they care for children who are in out-of-home care stay connected to the important people in their lives and their community; and
WHEREAS, caregivers and guardians who open their homes and hearts for infants and children whose families are in crisis play a vital role in keeping children safe; and
WHEREAS, ensuring young people leave care with strengthened relationships, holistic support, and opportunities is a priority for Contra Costa County’s Children & Family Services; and
WHEREAS, Children & Family Services, in collaboration with family support organizations, courts, faith-based communities, County Counsel, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), related agencies and professionals, support children and families with the right mix of services and partnerships.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors proclaims May 2025 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County, recognizing the enduring and valuable contribution of foster, relative, and non-relative caregivers.