Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.? I appreciate its inclusiveness, its relatively non-commercial character, and its focus on being with the people who matter most to you.
In addition to family, this is a holiday tradition that can include thanks and caring for others.? This year, as every year, my thanks go to an often invisible group of young people; those who are under the protection of courts and child welfare systems because they cannot live safely at home. The 400,000 children living in foster care right now.? Whose lives are so full of potential, but whose needs are too easily forgotten during our holiday celebrations.
I thank the tens of thousands of child protection workers who helped move these children from instability and uncertainty to permanent homes. ?In 2011, they helped over 200,000 children move into safe, permanent homes.
I thank the nation?s juvenile and family court judges, who have the difficult and often thankless task of deciding when and whether it is safe for a child to return home, live with relatives, or be adopted.? To find out more about this work, visit the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges at www.ncjfcj.org.
November is National Adoption Month, and so I thank the adoptive parents who provided new homes for nearly 50,000 foster youth last year.? You can find more information about adopting a child by visiting the North American Council on Adoptable children at www.nacac.org.
I thank the parents and caretakers of foster youth.? Through perseverance and commitment, 126,000 children were able to return home in 2011.? Helping to make this possible were the nation?s foster parents, who provide temporary care for children when they cannot live safely at home.? To find out how you can become a foster parent, contact the National Foster Parent Association to http://www.nfpainc.org/
And finally, I thank the 77,000 CASA and guardian ad litem volunteers whose advocacy helped lift up the voices of 234,000 of these children in 2011.? You help courts make better decisions.? You help social workers and lawyers understand what the child is going through.? And you are the constant, caring adult presences that will make their lives better.? To become an advocate or to support advocates in your community, go to www.iamforthechild.org
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Source: http://blog.casaforchildren.org/blog/foster-care/giving-special-people/
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