Released on October 19, 2015
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed October 18-24 Foster Families Week in Saskatchewan to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of foster families to vulnerable children, their families and communities across the province.“Foster families open their homes and their hearts to vulnerable children and youth to provide a safe, caring place for them to live at a time when their families are in crisis,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “I can’t think of a more selfless and thoughtful way to give back to other families and to their community, and I want to thank them on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan for their service to this province.”
As with almost all other jurisdictions across Canada and the United States, Saskatchewan has seen a steady decrease in the number of foster homes over the past five years while the number of children in care has remained relatively the same. This has meant developing new approaches to better support families to return children home safely and identifying extended family members who are able to act as an alternate care provider.
Foster families remain an important resource for families in crisis and work is being done to better retain existing families while recruiting new foster parents.
“Being a foster parent takes hard work and compassion, and we encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about what it means to become a foster family to please give us a call,” Saskatchewan Foster Families Association Executive Director Deb Davies said. “Becoming a foster parent is a wonderful way to give back, and we are seeing a number of newly-retired people call us to look at what is required to become a foster home. We are here to provide prospective and established foster families the education, guidance and support they need so they can best care for our most vulnerable children and young people.”
For more information and to learn more about foster families in Saskatchewan or what is required to become a foster parent, please visit the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association website at www.sffa.sk.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-7835
Deb Davies
Saskatchewan Foster Families Association
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-270-3172
Email: deb@sffa.sk.ca