Bill Text: NJ SJR23 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates month of May of each year as "Foster Care Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-06-26 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [SJR23 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SJR23-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Designates month of May of each year as "Foster Care Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of May of each year as "Foster Care Month."
Whereas, The family is the foundation of strong and healthy communities in our State; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, an estimated 7,800 children are provided by foster families with the love and nurturing they need when their birth parents are unable to do so, and approximately 800 youth age out of foster care every year without the support of a caring family; and
Whereas, Youth who age out of foster care face life's challenges alone and are more likely than non-foster children to become homeless or unemployed, suffer from mental health issues, become involved in crime or become victims of crime, lack a high school diploma or GED, become dependent on welfare and other social services, and have unplanned pregnancies; and
Whereas, All children, including youth in foster care, need a meaningful connection to a caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in their lives; and
Whereas, Foster, kinship, and adoptive families, who open their homes and hearts to support children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children and families heal and reconnect, thereby launching young people into successful adulthood; and
Whereas, Numerous individuals and organizations, as well as foster parents, work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and leaving foster care, and the foster care "system" is only as good as those who choose to be a part of it; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of May of each year is designated as "Foster Care Month" to raise awareness of the issues facing foster children and youth in the State, recognize the vital services that foster families provide, and highlight the ways local citizens can get involved with foster children and youth in the State.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation recognizing May as "Foster Care Month" and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates May of each year as "Foster Care Month" to raise awareness of the issues facing an estimated 7,800 foster children and youth in the State. Families are the foundation for strong and healthy communities, and each year, approximately 800 youth age out of foster care without the love and support of a family. This joint resolution recognizes the vital services that foster families provide, and encourages local citizens to get involved to help foster children and youth in the State.
