HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	39
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY AS "FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH", A TIME TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF FOSTER CARE, INCLUDING FOSTER PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES.

     WHEREAS, the foster care system plays an important role in the lives of more than 500,000 children nationwide who are in foster care programs; and

     WHEREAS, on average each day 1,700 children live in foster homes in the state; and

     WHEREAS, children in the foster care system face many difficulties, which calls for a commitment to improve foster care programs; and

     WHEREAS, many children in the foster care system have spent multiple years in foster care programs, experiencing an unstable home life due to frequent moves from one foster home to another; and

     WHEREAS, approximately 50 per cent of foster care children have been placed in foster care programs for longer than one year; and

     WHEREAS, nearly a quarter of foster care children have been placed in foster care programs for at least three years; and

     WHEREAS, children in foster care programs for longer periods of time often experience worse outcomes than children in foster care programs for shorter periods of time; and

     WHEREAS, children in foster care programs are more likely than the general population to become teen parents, rely on public assistance as adults, become homeless, and experience mental health disorders at a higher rate; and

     WHEREAS, repeated studies have shown that a child's very early years are crucial for brain development, making it extremely important to find suitable permanent homes for children during this critical period; and

     WHEREAS, many children are eligible for adoption every year, but fewer than half of the children in foster care programs are actually adopted; and

     WHEREAS, not only is a stable home critical to a child's development, but every child deserves to be raised by a loving family; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature hereby recognizes the month of May as "Foster Care Awareness Month", a time to educate the public about the various components of foster care, including foster parents, children, and families; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that continuing to improve the foster care system in Hawaii will remain a top priority for the Legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Human Services, Director of Kokua Ohana, Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network, and President of Foster Family Programs of Hawaii.

Report Title: 

Foster Care Awareness Month; May