[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25519-25520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11064]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 87 / Thursday, May 5, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 25519]]


                Proclamation 8661 of April 29, 2011

                
National Foster Care Month, 2011

                By the President of the United States

                A Proclamation

                Progress in America can be measured by the 
                opportunities we pass on to our children. For nearly 
                half a million youth in foster care across our country, 
                the best path to success we can give them is the chance 
                to experience a loving home where they can feel secure 
                and thrive. During National Foster Care Month, we renew 
                our commitment to ensuring a brighter future for foster 
                youth, and we celebrate the selfless individuals who 
                make a meaningful difference in their lives.

                Young people in foster care are in the system through 
                no fault of their own, and each of our Nation's 
                children deserves a stable home and a devoted family. 
                Strong support structures provide children with the 
                environment needed to learn, grow, and reach their 
                greatest potential. Permanence is critical to the 
                future success of foster youth and must be a key 
                component of foster care initiatives.

                 My Administration is committed to achieving security 
                for every child and supporting adolescents in foster 
                care as they transition to adulthood. The Permanency 
                Innovations Initiative, spearheaded by the Department 
                of Health and Human Services, is providing support to 
                public-private partnerships focused on decreasing the 
                number of children in long-term foster care. Over the 
                next 5 years, this program will invest $100 million in 
                new intervention strategies to help foster youth move 
                into permanent homes, test new approaches to reducing 
                time spent in foster care placements, and remove the 
                most serious barriers to finding lasting, loving 
                environments. Over 110,000 children in foster care 
                today are waiting to be adopted. Across America, there 
                are families who need these children as much as these 
                children need families. I encourage those interested in 
                adopting a child in need of a home to explore the life-
                changing resources available at www.AdoptUSKids.org.

                We are also investing in the health and well-being of 
                our young people in foster care. Through the American 
                Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we have significantly 
                increased funding for the Title IV-E adoption and 
                foster care assistance program to provide safe and 
                stable out-of-home care for children. As a result of 
                the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act I signed into law 
                last year, all children enrolled in foster care 
                automatically qualify for free meals in all Department 
                of Agriculture child nutrition programs. Additionally, 
                beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require 
                States to extend Medicaid coverage up to age 26 for all 
                youth who have aged out of the foster care system.

                 As a Nation, we all have a responsibility to remain 
                persistent in the charge to provide the best care 
                possible for children when they cannot remain in their 
                own homes. During National Foster Care Month, we 
                recognize the efforts of foster families, social 
                workers, faith-based and community organizations, and 
                others that are improving the lives of young people in 
                foster care across our country, and I encourage all 
                Americans to partake in efforts to serve these children 
                in the year ahead.

[[Page 25520]]

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 2011 as National 
                Foster Care Month. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this month by taking an active role in activities 
                across our country that recognize not only these 
                cherished children and youth, but also the commitment 
                of so many that touch their lives at a most challenging 
                time.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-11064
Filed 5-4-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P