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Casey Family Services Celebrates National Foster Care Month and 25 Years of Strengthening Families

Shelton, CT (5/3/01)

This month, Casey Family Services joins families and organizations across the country in celebrating National Foster Care Month. "It is our privilege to work with foster children and families in seven states," says Casey Family Services Executive Director Raymond Torres. "We celebrate Foster Care Month by honoring the commitment and compassion of foster families for the more than 500,000 young people in the foster care system."

"We want to encourage more people to become foster parents," adds Torres. "There is a growing mismatch between the number of foster homes needed and the number of foster homes available. Since 1987 there has been a 90 percent increase in children in care; during the same period there has been a decline of 3 percent in the number of foster homes. We are committed to doing all we can to make sure the needs of children in care are met."

Casey Family Services is especially committed to providing the services necessary to help young people leaving foster care become healthy, happy successful adults. "Each year, about 20,000 teenagers 'age out' of the foster care system. Casey has been in the forefront of helping young foster children become successful adults," continues Torres. "The implementation of the Foster Care Independence Act, which was signed into law in December 1999, should make a real difference in enabling states to provide housing, education and skills training for foster youth during the critical transition years."

For 25 years, Casey Family Services has assisted vulnerable children and families. Today, Casey operates in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Programs include long-term foster care, transition services, treatment foster care, post-adoption services and other programs for vulnerable children and families. Casey Family Services seeks to improve the lives of at-risk children and strengthen families and communities by providing high-quality, cost-effective services that advance both positive practice and sound public policy.