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Foster Care Awareness Month

The month of May is National Foster Care Month. National Foster Care Month presents us with an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate foster families across the country, as well as child welfare agencies, service providers and policymakers who work to help the nearly 400,000 vulnerable children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and lasting community connections.

In his proclamation earlier this month, President Obama emphasized what we in the field know well from experience: “Our nation’s children have the greatest chance of reaching their fullest potential when they have strong support structures and families behind them.”  We believe that, too.  And Devereux is proud to work with foster parents and families of all backgrounds and orientations -- across all faith communities -- to help children and youth in the foster care system find the love and nurturing they deserve. 

We hope you will take a moment this month to recognize and thank dedicated foster parents and staff for the critically important work they are doing for our children. Many Devereux Centers across the country provide foster care services of the highest quality. We hope you will take the time to learn about the remarkable work they are doing.

This year's National Foster Care Month theme is "Get to Know the Many Faces of Foster Care" and highlights the diversity of the children, youth, families and professionals involved in child welfare. This year's theme also draws attention to the fact that “successful permanency” can mean many different things to a child, and our foster care system needs to remain flexible so we ensure children can access foster care in the most loving environment that meet their own unique needs.   

Through Devereux’s partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and participation in HRC’s All Children All Families project, Devereux recognizes the many faces of foster care, including LGBTQ children who need culturally competent foster parents, as well as LGBTQ foster parents, whose love and unconditional support can change a child’s life.  Devereux Arizona was the first Devereux Center, and the first behavioral health provider in the state of Arizona, to achieve HRC’s All Children-All Families Seal of Recognition.  Devereux Florida became the second Devereux Center to earn the Seal. Devereux Georgia is currently awaiting certification, and Devereux Massachusetts and Texas are currently in the certification process.

Devereux provides traditional foster care and treatment foster care (TFC) services at multiple centers throughout our 13-state network, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Texas.  For more information about foster care and our services, please go to www.devereux.org and our Center websites available by link from our national site.

		Devereux Center for Resilient Children launches ‘Building Your Bounce’ online adult resilience course The Devereux Center for Resilient Children has launched a new online learning course, titled “Building Your Bounce: Promoting Adult Resilience.” This self-paced course is designed to help teachers and other child-serving professionals who educate, and care for, young children (birth through preschool) discover ways to nurture their resilience and manage stress more effectively.
		Autism Spectrum News features Devereux article on how to support families with autism An article written by Devereux National Director of Family Engagement Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM, was recently featured in Autism Spectrum News. In the article – “Awareness and acceptance: 10 things I wish everyone understood about autism” – Kelly reflects on her family’s experiences over the past 20 years since her daughter, Annie, was diagnosed with autism. She also shares a few things she wishes everyone knew about autism and how to offer support.
		‘Sunday Jazz with Wynton Marsalis’ event raises more than $110,000 for Devereux NY Devereux recently hosted an intimate concert – “Sunday Jazz with Wynton Marsalis” – at the home of Devereux New York family member Merritt Lutz, who also serves on the Devereux New York City Advisory Board, to raise critical funds for the organization’s music therapy program.
		Season 2, Episode 4: ‘Not Your Average School Psychologist’ podcast Listen to the latest episode of the Devereux Center for Effective Schools’ podcast featuring Erika McDowell, Ed.D., who shares tips on implementing inclusive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support practices for students. Dr. McDowell, founder of Inspired Minds Collide, also encourages listeners to be well and thrive. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music/Audible.

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