National Foster Care Month

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation that recognized the month of May as National Foster Care Month to show appreciation towards foster parents and give recognition for all they do for our students in foster care. Every year since each American President issues a Presidential Proclamation for National Foster Care Month.

Los Angeles County spans 4,084 square miles. It is home to over 38,243 children in foster care with approximately 26,105 school-aged children and over 1,500 students in probation placements across 80 school districts, 376 independent charters, 13 community college districts and seven universities.

The LACOE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) provides support services for students who suffer the traumatic effects of displacement from family, schools, and multiple placements in foster care. Our goal is to build capacity and increase multi-sector collaboration amongst child welfare, probation, education, and community agencies to improve educational outcomes.

For example, we place Educational Counselors in offices across the county in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Probation, and Edelman Children's Court. In addition, program Specialists are assigned cohorts of school districts to establish regional learning networks designed to address challenges and implement solutions to better meet the needs of students in foster care.

Our Foster Youth Services program has created many resources and ways to celebrate and honor the numerous supporters and students in foster care. We are proud of our team's work. We hope you take advantage and utilize one of the many graphics provided in our booklet, or take a moment to write a thank you card for a caregiver or an encouraging note to a student currently in foster care.

All of this is available on the website! Don't forget to learn a little more about some of our current or former foster youth within Los Angeles County.

For more information on how you can help celebrate National Foster Care Month or more information on LACOE's Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program, make sure you visit our website.