To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim May 2026 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution proclaiming May 2026 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment & Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
In Contra Costa County, EHSD’s Children & Family Services (CFS) oversee our foster care program.
During May, we honor the courage of children and youth in foster care who often endure immense challenges and overcome adversities.
We honor and thank our Resource Family caregivers - also known as foster parents - who provide stability and security during difficult times and help strengthen child and family wellbeing.
We also recognize our CFS social workers, service providers, and community partners who each play a critical role in protecting our children and youth in foster care. Our social workers and CFS staff collaborate closely with family support organizations, courts, faith-based communities, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), to support children and families with the right mix of services.
Foster Care Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care, the importance of ensuring they live in safe, healthy, loving environments, and the value of resource families.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No formal recognition of Foster Care Month 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
body
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming May 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, Foster Care Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth, some who are unable to safely remain in the home of their families of origin, and
WHEREAS, the Employment & Human Services Department’s Children and Family Services (CFS) protect and strengthen our community, promoting overall family wellbeing by ensuring that parents and relatives have resources and services to establish safe and loving homes for children and youth; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County there were 646 children and youth in out-of-home placements in March 2026 for whom resource families provided safe, secure, and stable environments, and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County’s Kinship Support Services Programs support relatives who care for 196 children and youth helping them stay connected to the important people in their lives and their communities; and
WHEREAS, CFS, in collaboration with family support organizations, courts, faith-based communities, County Counsel, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), 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 2026 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County, recognizing the enduring and valuable contribution of foster, relative, and non-relative caregivers.