Hale Kipa, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, and the State of Hawaii, recently honored foster parents through an official proclamation designating May as National Foster Parent Appreciation Month. Hawaiʻi Gov. David Y. Ige signed the proclamation on April 12. 

“We express our gratitude and respect to the many foster parents, kinship caregivers, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and other community members throughout the state of Hawaiʻi who make a meaningful difference in the lives of our children and youth in foster care,” the proclamation says. 

Hawaiʻi foster parents care for and nurture more than 2,000 children and youth. These dedicated adults keep youth safe, provide love and stability, help them overcome past hardship or trauma so they can reach their full potential, and aid families with reunification. 

National Foster Care Month has been celebrated every May since President Ronald Reagan issued the first Presidential proclamation in 1988. This year’s theme is “Relative and Kin Connections: Keeping Families Strong,” which speaks to the positive impact relative and kin connections have during foster children and youth’s journey to permanency. Nationally, there are more than 407,000 children and youth in foster care, 34% of whom live with relatives or kin.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please click here to learn more.