Thursday, May 14, 2009

MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

Child Protective Services Celebrates Foster Families with Free Picnic

To celebrate people who make a difference in El Paso, Child Protective Services (CPS) will have its 3rd Annual Foster Care Picnic on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Memorial Park (1701 N. Copia Street) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last year in El Paso County, there were 569 children in foster care.
“We want to recognize the hard work that the foster parents do for our children in care,” said Priscilla Estrello, CPS Foster/Adoption Supervisor. “A picnic allows children in care to engage in a healthy, nurturing outing during their placements.”
The picnic will include free food, door prizes and games.
More than 200 are expected to attend the picnic including foster families associated with CPS, the Bair Foundation, El Paso Center for Children, A World For Children, Methodist Children Home and Lutheran Social Services.

WHAT: 3rd Annual Foster Care Picnic

WHEN: May 16, 2009 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial Park, 1701 N. Copia, El Paso, TX, 79930

WHY: To celebrate/recruit El Paso foster families and promote positive awareness of foster care.


IMPORTANT NOTE: Only foster children under “permanent managing conservatorship” of the State may be photographed.

For attending media outlets wanting photo/video, please contact Priscilla Estrello at 204-3120 or Luis Zamarripa at 471-6620, to verify media availability of specific foster children.



FACTS ABOUT FOSTER HOMES

Provide 24-hour temporary care to children in their home

Help children heal and meet their physical, emotional, cultural, educational, medical and social needs

Work with the agency and the birth family towards family reunification or, if return home is not possible, work towards another permanency plan

Provide children with daily care, nurturance, and supervision

Advocate for children in their schools and communities

Inform the children’s caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school and community

Provide a positive role model to birth families and help children learn life skills

May become approved as an adoptive family

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