[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19895-19896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09727]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 19895]]


                 Proclamation 9734 of April 30, 2018

                
National Foster Care Month, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During National Foster Care Month, we reflect on the 
                dedication of foster and kinship caregivers, faith-
                based and community organizations, and child welfare 
                professionals who are improving the lives of children 
                and youth in foster care throughout the country. Our 
                Nation is deeply indebted to these selfless and 
                compassionate Americans. We also observe this month, 
                with sadness, the plight of innocent children who are 
                in foster care because their lives have been disrupted 
                by neglect or abuse.

                Providing a stable, secure, and nurturing home 
                environment is one of the greatest gifts a foster 
                parent or guardian can give a child. This critical 
                investment in their well-being, safety, and sense of 
                belonging brings precious hope to children in need. We 
                acknowledge, with gratitude, the tremendous sacrifices 
                made by our Nation's foster families as they open their 
                hearts and lives and provide secure and supportive 
                homes for the hundreds of thousands of infants, 
                children, and youth in foster care.

                We also take this opportunity to acknowledge that there 
                is still much more we can do to prevent the abuse and 
                neglect that forces children into foster care 
                placements. For the fourth consecutive year, the number 
                of children placed in foster care has increased, driven 
                in part by the opioid crisis and drug abuse. My 
                Administration is dedicated to bringing help and 
                healing to families threatened by addiction so that 
                parents and children can stay together in a safe and 
                stable home environment.

                In February, I signed into law the Family First 
                Prevention Services Act, a law that aims to keep 
                children at home and out of foster care by allowing 
                States to use matching funds from the Federal 
                Government for substance abuse prevention and 
                treatment, mental health services, family counseling, 
                and parenting-skills training. When it becomes 
                necessary to place children or youth in foster care, 
                this new law gives States incentives to reduce the 
                placement of children in congregate care in favor of 
                more desirable family atmospheres.

                We are blessed that our country is filled with generous 
                individuals and families who willingly welcome children 
                in need into their homes so that they can experience 
                loving guardianship and some of the joys of family 
                life. Many of these heroic families provide foster care 
                for children with complex medical and challenging 
                psychological and behavioral needs. This month is an 
                opportunity to raise awareness about the increasing 
                number of children and youth entering foster care and 
                to encourage Americans to invest in the lives of some 
                of our Nation's most vulnerable children and families.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2018 as National 
                Foster Care Month. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this month by taking time to help children and youth in 
                foster care, and to recognize the commitment of those 
                who touch their lives, particularly celebrating their 
                foster parents and other caregivers.

[[Page 19896]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                second.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2018-09727
Filed 5-3-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P