    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 10019 of April 30, 2020
    National Foster Care Month, 2020
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation
    Families are the foundation of our communities and our country. All
    children deserve a stable, supportive, and loving home in which to grow,
    thrive, and realize their full potential. During National Foster Care
    Month, we honor the selfless men and women who open their homes to
    nurture at-risk children and promote healing, unification, and family-
    based empowerment.
    Foster care plays a critical role in providing young people who have had
    to be removed from their homes a critical place of refuge. It is an
    invaluable resource for keeping children safe in temporary circumstances
    and providing stability, direction, and comfort to our Nation's most
    vulnerable sons and daughters. The dedicated individuals, families,
    professionals, and faith-based and community organizations who support
    children in foster care help maintain essential parent-child
    relationships and support parents working to regain custody of their
    children.
    A focus of my Administration has been to keep families together by
    working to prevent the situations that necessitate children being
    removed from their homes. In 2018, I enacted the Family First Prevention
    Services Act to enhance the ability of American families to keep their
    children safe at home whenever possible. It provides funding for

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    community-based treatment and intervention services that have been
    proven to curtail abuse and neglect and to help families address the
    issues that might require separation. These services include access to
    skills-based parenting classes, family counseling, mental health
    therapy, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction. In addition,
    this legislation encourages States to place children with families
    rather than in group homes, which can minimize the risk of additional
    trauma. Last year, I signed into law legislation to encourage States to
    fully implement the Family First Prevention Services Act as quickly as
    feasible in order to connect families with appropriate resources and
    transition to a more proactive and prevention-based system.
    In cases where intervention becomes necessary, it is important to place
    children in the best position to maintain their family, school, and
    other social connections. It is also critical that older youth in foster
    care establish permanent bonds with a family member or caring adult
    before they exit the system and enter adulthood. For these reasons, my
    Administration is funding programs to provide in-family caregivers with
    the services and support they need to succeed. In partnership with the
    States, we are promoting more family-friendly options that reduce
    additional trauma to the children who must enter foster care.
    This month, we encourage all Americans to invest in the lives of
    children and to provide them with unconditional love, support, guidance,
    and every available resource to ensure their health and well-being. We
    acknowledge with gratitude the selfless citizens who open their hearts
    and homes to children in need and the organizations that tirelessly
    support foster and kinship caregivers. Together, they are giving hope
    and the promise of a better tomorrow to countless 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 2020 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 twenty, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fourth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP