FOSTER FAMILIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN

The province has proclaimed October 16th to 22nd as Foster Families Week to pay tribute to the 722 foster families who provide a warm, safe and healthy environment for approximately 1,790 children and youth in Saskatchewan. The province is also presenting the new Montgomery Award to its first recipient at the Foster Families Week provincial kickoff in North Battleford.

"Healthy childhood development is job number one for parents," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "Foster families step in and provide care and stability when parents face overwhelming challenges. We salute the families who open up their hearts and homes to children in their communities, and we honour Helen Montgomery who made such an important difference in the lives of so many children."

"The feeling that comes from being a foster parent is sometimes difficult to put into words," Saskatchewan Foster Families Association (SFFA) President Paul Bunz said. "It's the look on the faces of the children and the successes many of them experience later in life that tell us as foster parents that we've made a difference." The SFFA is a registered charitable organization that provides an important support and voice for foster families in Saskatchewan. Foster families become automatic members once they have been approved to provide foster care in Saskatchewan.

Another focus of Foster Families Week this year is attracting new foster families to address a current need for more foster homes across the province.

Community Resources and Employment and the SFFA work together with individual foster families to ensure children and youth in foster care receive a high quality of care and service.

The Montgomery Award was created this year to honour the memory of Helen Montgomery of North Battleford and her contributions to her family, her community and the many children placed in her care. Beginning this year, the award will be presented annually as part of the Foster Families Week celebrations to recognize the exceptional efforts of a foster family in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Miller Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0531 Cell: (306)535-7157

Deb Davies Saskatchewan Foster Families Association Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-1580