Posted: May 9, 2008  10:51

If you forgot to wear green on Saint Patrick's Day, here is another chance to show your true colors. Wear blue on May 14, and you'll be part of the Blue Shirt Campaign, showing your support for National Foster Care Month.

This statewide "day of color" is intended to demonstrate appreciation for the hundreds of foster parents in Idaho and to highlight the need for even more families to participate in the foster care system, says Susan Dwello, Foster Care and Independent Living program specialist for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

"For kids in foster care, sky blue is the color of hope," she said.

In 2007, more than 3,400 children entered foster care in Idaho. On any given day, there are more than 900 children in foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential well-being. Like all young people, youth in foster care deserve and benefit from enduring, positive relationships with caring adults.

Julianne Rinard, president of the Idaho Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, and her husband Rob, have been foster parents since 1999. The work is challenging, but immensely rewarding, she says.

"We'd like to encourage more families to consider being foster parents. It's a caring way to reach out to another family in trouble," she said.

Now is the time to get involved, Dwello says.

"No matter how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will change a lifetime for a young person in foster care," she added. "Whether it's a few minutes, a few hours, a few weeks, please take the time to offer your support to children and youth in foster care."

For example, in a few minutes you can make a financial contribution to support the personal enrichment or education of a young person in foster care. In a few hours, you can make presentations to your faith-based congregation, civic group, school PTA, and other neighborhood associations to encourage your community to come together to find families and resources that help young people in foster care thrive.

If you have a few weeks, consider tutoring a child. Because they often must change schools frequently or sometimes have social or behavioral challenges to overcome, youth in foster care may benefit greatly from extra academic support. And of course, if you have more time, consider becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Caring families are especially needed for older youth, siblings and children with special needs.

"While we need more foster families, people need to understand that 'shared parenting' can take many forms," Rinard says. "Young people in foster care benefit from a meaningful connection to a caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in his or her life, even if you only have a little time to give."

For more ideas of what can be done in a few minutes, a few hours, a few weeks, or more time, visit www.fostercaremonth.org. And don't forget to wear blue on May 14!