WHEREAS, in 1988, the United States Congress, at the request of the National Foster Parent Association, introduced a resolution to proclaim May as National Foster Care Month in recognition of the critical contributions made by foster parents across the nation; and

WHEREAS, recognizing Foster Care Month in Maine provides an opportunity to publicly celebrate and acknowledge the critical role foster (resource) parents and families fulfill in partnering with the State of Maine, communities, professionals, and all residents to keep children safe, stable, happy, and healthy, and to raise awareness of the ongoing need to attract and support resource families throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine appreciates that our children will one day guide and lead residents toward a bright, successful future; and

WHEREAS, Maine professionals and resource families work together to strengthen and maintain family relationships so all members can access the supports they need to thrive; and

WHEREAS, resource parents facilitate the opportunity for Maine children to live safely and

securely within families by exercising patience, selflessness, and duty toward others, and

exemplifying the Maine state motto "Dirigo" (I lead); and

WHEREAS, during Foster Care Month, we celebrate resource parents and uphold Maine’s commitment to supporting families so that they may continue to answer this most critical call to action; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of May as

Foster Care Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.  

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this fourth day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Two