[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19687-19688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09315]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 87 / Monday, May 6, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 19687]]


                Proclamation 9869 of April 30, 2019

                
National Foster Care Month, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The future of our Nation rests with our children. We 
                must invest in their futures, instill in them the 
                values of family, faith, and country, and ensure they 
                have every opportunity to realize their full potential. 
                The development of our children begins at home, and my 
                Administration is fully committed to strengthening 
                American families.

                This month, we recognize that there are children in our 
                towns and communities who may not have a family, or 
                whose families may be experiencing great difficulty and 
                hardship. In America, we believe in standing beside 
                these children, walking with them through their trials, 
                and finding permanent and safe families for each of 
                them. Kindhearted citizens across our land embody this 
                belief, dedicating their time and efforts in doing so. 
                In fiscal year 2017 alone, American families opened 
                their doors to 443,000 young people in foster care--a 
                number that has increased each of the last 5 years. 
                During National Foster Care Month, we honor these 
                patriots, who open their hearts to children who need a 
                home, and who care for the most vulnerable among us. We 
                also acknowledge the profound contributions of the 
                individuals and organizations supporting foster and 
                kinship caregivers, and those of the community 
                providers and professionals who are helping children in 
                foster care find safe and stable families.

                We must strive to keep families united, wherever 
                possible, and my Administration is working to reduce 
                the removal of at-risk children from their homes and 
                familiar surroundings. Last year, I signed into law the 
                Family First Prevention Services Act, which is working 
                to bolster families and keep children safely in their 
                homes, when possible. This legislation gives States 
                access to funding for evidence-based prevention and 
                early intervention services such as mental health 
                therapy, family counseling, substance use and addiction 
                treatment, and parenting classes. By allowing States to 
                address factors, such as the opioid crisis, America's 
                sons and daughters are more likely to experience 
                improved outcomes and hope for a brighter future.

                When it becomes necessary to move children out of their 
                homes in order to provide more safety, stability, and 
                opportunity, placement with relatives who can provide 
                that environment is the first option. Children often 
                experience less trauma when in kinship care, which is 
                why the Federal Government is funding programs that 
                provide family caregivers the services and support they 
                need and requiring States to demonstrate how their 
                foster care licensing standards promote family-friendly 
                options.

                Children deserve stable family environments, and foster 
                care provides a wonderful opportunity for selfless and 
                compassionate men and women to nurture children while 
                we work to ensure that they have a forever family. This 
                month, and always, we express our gratitude to all of 
                the families who generously open their doors to 
                children in need and provide them with love and 
                support. We recommit to looking for opportunities to 
                invest in the lives of our vulnerable young people, and 
                we celebrate those who tirelessly serve our Nation's 
                children in foster care.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution

[[Page 19688]]

                and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
                May 2019 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.

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

[FR Doc. 2019-09315
Filed 5-3-19; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P