May is Foster Care Awareness Month
Every child deserves a safe, loving, and stable home. But for more than 1,200 children in Rhode Island’s child welfare system, that basic need is not guaranteed. This May, during Foster Care Awareness Month, we’re recognizing the vital role foster parents play—and why more Rhode Islanders are urgently needed to step up and make a difference.
Why Foster Care Matters
Foster care is about more than providing a roof over a child’s head. It’s about showing up for children who have experienced trauma, uncertainty, and loss. Foster parents offer comfort, stability, and guidance during one of the most difficult times in a child’s life.
Some children in foster care need support for only a few weeks. Others may need care for months or even years. Some are hoping for reunification with their birth families. Others may be looking for a permanent home through adoption. No matter the circumstances, the presence of a caring adult can be life-changing.
The Need in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is facing a shortage of foster homes, especially for:
- Sibling groups so brothers and sisters can stay together.
- Teens, who often wait the longest for placement.
- Children with medical or behavioral needs, who require specialized care.
- Children of color and LGBTQ+ youth, who deserve affirming, culturally responsive placements.
Too often, children are placed far from their communities—or even in institutional settings—because there simply aren’t enough foster families available. You can help change that.
Who Can Foster?
Foster parents come from all walks of life. You can be single, married, partnered, LGBTQ+, a renter or homeowner, a parent or not. What matters most is your willingness to open your heart and home to a child in need.
With support and training provided through agencies like [Family Service of Rhode Island], you don’t have to do it alone. Foster parents are part of a team that includes social workers, therapists, and educators—all working together to help children heal and thrive.
How You Can Help
- Become a foster parent: If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. Reach out to learn more, ask questions, and explore whether it’s right for you.
- Spread the word: Share this post or talk to friends and family about the need for foster parents.
- Support foster families: Offer practical help like meals, childcare, or mentorship to those already fostering in your community.
Foster care isn’t easy—but it is deeply rewarding. By opening your home, you can help a child feel safe, valued, and loved.
Learn more about becoming a foster parent at: https://www.familyserviceri.org/programs/foster-care/
