Foster Care Month Proclamation
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WHEREAS, the family, serving as the primary source of love, identity, self-esteem,
and support is the very foundation of our communities and our State;
and
WHEREAS, in Iowa there are over 4,000 children and youth in foster care being
provided with a safe, secure, and stable home along with the
compassion and nurture of a foster family; and
WHEREAS, foster families open their homes and hearts to children whose families
are in crisis, and also playa vital role helping children and families heal
and reconnect and launch children into successful adulthood; and
WHEREAS, foster homes are licensed for fewer children today than they were prior
to 1985, resulting in a greater need for more foster families; and
WHEREAS, there are many youth who reach their 18th birthday and "age out" of
foster care, too often unprepared and without the ongoing support and
guidance of caring adults; and
WHEREAS, there are numerous individuals, public and private organizations who
work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and
leaving foster care as well as the enduring and valuable contribution of
foster parents.
NOW THEREFORE, I, TERRANCE M. DUGGAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE,
IOWA DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY, 2000 AS:
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IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR
TALENTS AND ENERGIES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, FOSTER
PARENTS, AND THE CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONAL STAFF WORKING WITH
THEM. IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the City of Dubuque, IA to
be affixed this 1st day of May, 2000.
Terrance M. Duggan, MAYOR
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
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PROCLAMATION
FOSTER CARE MONTH
MAY 1, 2000
WHEREAS, the family, serving as the primary source oflove, identity, self-esteem, and
support, is the very foundation of our communities and our State, and
WHEREAS, in Iowa there are over 4,000 children and youth in foster care being
provided with a safe, secure, and stable home along with the compassion and nurture of a
foster family, and
WHEREAS, foster families open their homes and hearts to children whose families are
in crisis, and also playa vital role helping children and families heal and reconnect and
launch children into successful adulthood, and
WHEREAS, foster homes are licensed for fewer children today than they were prior to
1985, resulting in a greater need for more foster families, and
WHEREAS, there are many youth who reach their 18th birthday and "age out" of foster
care, too often unprepared and without the ongoing support and guidance of caring adults
and
WHEREAS, there are numerous individuals, public and private organizations who work
to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and leaving foster care as well as
the enduring and valuable contribution of foster parents,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry Duggan, by virtue of the authority vested in me as
Mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, do hereby proclaim Mayas FOSTER CARE MONTH in
Dubuque, Iowa. I urge all citizens to volunteer their talents and energies on behalf of
children in foster care, foster parents, and the child welfare professional staff working
with them during this month and throughout the year.
April 20, 2000
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The Honorable Terry Duggan
Mayor of Dubuque
City Clerk Office
50. W. 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Dear Mayor Duggan:
On behalf of the Foster Care Review Board, we would like to thank you for your support
and efforts on the part of our city's children and youth in foster care. We hope you will
join us in honoring the parents and children in our nation's foster care system by
declaring the month of May as Foster Care Month.
In our state of Iowa alone, 1996 data from the Child Welfare League of America shows
that there were 5,000 children in our state's foster care system. Nationally, since 1987,
there has been a 90% increase in children in foster care while there has been a 3%
decrease in the number of licensed family foster homes. More foster families are
desperately needed. You can help.
Please designate the month of May as Foster Care Month. During the month of May
hundreds of community events are being planned across the country to help retain, recruit
and support critically needed foster parents. Enclosed is a draft proclamation for your
consideration. Joann Roberts, President of the Dubuque Foster Parent Association, will
be present at the May 1 City Council meeting to accept the proclamation.
Our common goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment for all children in
order for them to become productive, self-sufficient members of our society. With your
help we would better enable communities, foster parents and child welfare professional
staff to make a difference in developing positive outcomes for foster children, youth and
their families. Thank you for your support of our programs.
Sincerely,
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Public Education Coordinator
Foster Care Review Board
2499 Hillcrest Road. Dubuque. Iowa 52001. T 319.582.6219. F 319.582.0914. e-mail jdl_fcrb@netins.net
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Penny Ehlinger
Public Education
Coordinator
2499 Hillcrest Road
Dubuque. Iowa 5200 I
T 319.582.6219
F 319.582.0914
e-mail idl_fcrb@netins.net