05-12-2025

National Foster Care Month, 2025

ProclamationView the Original .pdf
View the Original .pdf

The 1-Minute Brief

What: This proclamation designates May 2025 as National Foster Care Month, honoring foster parents and caregivers and calling on Americans to support children and youth in the foster care system.

Money: This proclamation does not directly appropriate funds. However, it references the Family First Prevention Services Act, which provides federal funds to states for preventative services to keep families intact.

Your Impact: For most Americans, the proclamation is a call to awareness and action to support the foster care system, rather than a direct policy change with immediate effects. It encourages community involvement in supporting vulnerable children and families.

Status: Issued by the President of the United States on May 7, 2025.

What's Actually in the Bill

This presidential proclamation officially designates May 2025 as National Foster Care Month. It serves to honor and recognize the contributions of foster parents, families, and various professionals who support children in the foster care system. The document highlights the importance of providing safe, loving, and stable homes for children who cannot remain with their families. It also serves as a call to action for more citizens to become involved, whether as foster families or as community volunteers.

Core Provisions:

  • Designates May 2025 as National Foster Care Month.
  • Acknowledges that annually more than 360,000 children and youth require the stability of a foster family.
  • Recognizes the role of foster parents, kinship-care families, and professionals in providing care and support.
  • Calls upon all Americans to find ways to support children and youth in foster care.

Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):

  1. To honor the individuals and families who provide foster care to thousands of children and youth.
  2. To recognize the professionals and volunteers who work to support children in the foster care system.
  3. To encourage more Americans to serve as foster families and support the needs of children in foster care.
  4. To highlight the administration's commitment to supporting youth through initiatives like the First Lady's BE BEST program.

Key Facts:

Affected Sectors: Child Welfare, Social Services, Family Services.
Timeline: May 2025.
Scope: Nationwide, affecting all Americans by raising awareness of the foster care system.

The Backstory: How We Got Here

Timeline of Events:

Early Advocacy (1970s-1980s):

The 1970s saw a growing movement to recognize the needs of children in foster care and the contributions of foster parents. In 1972, President Nixon proclaimed "National Action for Foster Children Week" to raise awareness and recruit more foster parents. This advocacy culminated in 1988 when President Ronald Reagan issued the first presidential proclamation establishing May as National Foster Care Month. Since then, it has been an annual tradition for the sitting U.S. President to issue a similar proclamation.

Legislative Reforms (2018-Present):

The proclamation mentions the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which was signed into law on February 9, 2018. This act represents a significant shift in federal child welfare policy by allowing states to use federal Title IV-E funds for prevention services. The goal is to provide resources like mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and in-home parenting skills training to families at risk, thereby preventing children from entering foster care in the first place.

Why Now? The Political Calculus:

  • Annual Tradition: The issuance of a proclamation for National Foster Care Month is a long-standing, bipartisan tradition that allows the administration to show support for families and children.
  • First Lady's Initiative: The proclamation highlights the First Lady's "BE BEST" initiative and its focus on supporting young people, including those in foster care, through programs like "Fostering the Future." This initiative aims to provide educational and economic opportunities for foster youth.
  • Ongoing Need: With over 368,000 children in the foster care system, there is a continuous need for public awareness and recruitment of foster families. The proclamation serves to keep this issue in the public consciousness.

Your Real-World Impact

The Direct Answer: This proclamation primarily affects those directly involved in the child welfare system, but aims to inspire broader community action.

What Could Change for You:

Potential Benefits:

  • For Prospective Foster Parents: Increased awareness may lead to more resources and support for those considering becoming foster parents.
  • For Communities: The call to action might spur local drives for donations, volunteers, or mentorship programs benefiting local foster youth.
  • For At-Risk Families: Continued emphasis on prevention, as highlighted by the FFPSA, could mean more access to support services aimed at keeping families together.

Possible Disruptions or Costs:

Short-term (May 2025):

  • There are no direct costs or disruptions for the general public associated with this proclamation.

Long-term:

  • Increased focus on prevention services could lead to a shift in how local and state child welfare agencies allocate resources.

Who's Most Affected:

Primary Groups: Children and youth in the foster care system, foster parents, kinship caregivers, and child welfare professionals.
Secondary Groups: Families at risk of entering the child welfare system, community organizations, and volunteers.
Regional Impact: The impact will be felt nationwide, but specific needs and resources vary significantly by state and locality.

Bottom Line: This proclamation is a national call to recognize and support the foster care system, encouraging everyday Americans to consider how they can help vulnerable children and families in their communities.

Where the Parties Stand

Republican Position: "Strengthening Families and Supporting Adoption"

Core Stance: The Republican party generally emphasizes family preservation, parental rights, and the role of faith-based organizations in adoption and foster care.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Support for initiatives that encourage adoption and provide assistance to make the process more affordable and streamlined.
  • ✓ Emphasis on the role of traditional family structures and values in providing stable homes for children.
  • ✓ Promoting partnerships with community-based and private charitable organizations to improve the foster care system.
  • ⚠️ Some party platforms express a desire to reform or abolish agencies like Child Protective Services, citing concerns about parental rights and government overreach.
  • ✗ Opposition to policies that could be seen as undermining the role of traditional family structures or discriminating against faith-based adoption agencies.

Legislative Strategy: Generally focused on providing states with flexibility in how they use federal funds, supporting partnerships with private and faith-based groups, and advocating for policies that promote adoption.

Democratic Position: "Investing in Prevention and Supporting All Families"

Core Stance: The Democratic party typically focuses on investing in preventative services, expanding support for all types of families, and addressing systemic inequities in the child welfare system.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Strong support for programs that prevent the need for foster care by addressing root causes like poverty and lack of access to mental healthcare and substance abuse treatment.
  • ✓ Advocating for increased funding for social services, including rental assistance and programs for youth aging out of foster care.
  • ✓ Emphasis on ensuring that the child welfare system is equitable and addresses the overrepresentation of children of color.
  • ⚠️ Concerns about the privatization of child welfare services and ensuring adequate oversight of all providers.
  • ✗ Opposition to any form of discrimination in foster care or adoption placement based on factors like sexual orientation or gender identity.

Legislative Strategy: Pushing for increased federal funding for social safety net programs, expanding tax credits for families with children, and ensuring that child welfare policies are trauma-informed and equitable.

Constitutional Check

The Verdict: ✓ Constitutional

Basis of Authority:

The President's authority to issue proclamations is an implied power under Article II of the Constitution. While not explicitly defined, this power is a direct exercise of the president's executive authority.

[Relevant Portion of the Constitution]: Article II, Section 1 states, "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." Section 3 adds that the President "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."

Constitutional Implications:

[Legal Principle]: Presidential proclamations are official statements that often serve a ceremonial purpose, such as recognizing a national day of observance. They do not have the force of law unless they are acting upon a specific authority granted by Congress.
[Precedent]: Every president since George Washington has issued proclamations. The tradition of proclaiming National Foster Care Month began in 1988 and has been continued by presidents of both parties.
[Federalism]: This proclamation does not overstep into powers reserved for the states. It is a national call to action and recognition, while the administration of the foster care system remains a state-level responsibility, albeit with federal funding and oversight.

Potential Legal Challenges:

There are no likely legal challenges to this proclamation, as it is a ceremonial document that does not create new law or appropriate funds.

Your Action Options

TO SUPPORT FOSTER CARE AWARENESS

5-Minute Actions:

  • Share Information: Use social media to share the President's proclamation and statistics about the need for foster parents in your state.
  • Learn More: Visit the National Foster Care Month website to get facts and resources about the foster care system.

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Contact Local Agencies: Research foster care agencies in your community to learn about their specific needs for volunteers or donations.
  • Join an Organization: Connect with national advocacy groups like the National Foster Parent Association or AdoptUSKids.

TO BECOME DIRECTLY INVOLVED

5-Minute Actions:

  • Request Information: Contact your state's child welfare agency to request an information packet on becoming a foster parent.

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Attend an Orientation: Many foster care agencies hold virtual or in-person orientation sessions for prospective foster parents. Find one in your area.
  • Support a Foster Family: Offer to provide meals, babysitting, or run errands for a foster family you know. The support network is crucial for their success.