May is Foster Care Month in Weld County
Published on May 03, 2022
The Board of Weld County Commissioners proclaimed the month of May Foster Care Month in Weld County at Monday’s board meeting to share an appreciation for the dedicated individuals that provide foster youth with love, support and resources every year.
“These foster families and caseworkers are there in the middle of the night to answer the call when a child might be experiencing one of the worst nights of their life, and for that, we can’t honor you enough.” Said Weld County Commissioner Chair Scott James. “These folks that are here today are selfless and we thank them for all they do for our children and youth in Weld.”
Foster Care staff from the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS), community partners and foster care parents and advocates were in attendance as the proclamation was read aloud, each attesting to their dedication to foster care in Weld County.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of our community, and I applaud everyone involved; they are great people,” said Scott Nix, foster parent and Pastor of Love Thy Neighbor Church in Milliken.
Foster Care Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate foster care and acknowledge its role in keeping families together. It is also a time to thank and honor those opening their hearts and homes to the 309 children and youth in Weld County currently in foster or kinship care. Without the communities’ support and dedicated work of DHS staff on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, youth and families would not be possible.
“We want to express our sincere gratitude to the foster families, community partners, and professionals who have invested in Weld County youth and families in need of foster care services. We need more people like them so that every child and youth in need can be well cared for within our community and experience a safe and loving home,” said Jamie Ulrich, Director of DHS. “Through education, volunteering, and partnerships, Weld County can strengthen our communities and ensure that youth in foster care have the support they need for a future they deserve.”
Weld County’s current needs are for families who can foster older children, teens, sibling groups, and children and youth that are medically fragile. Weld County offers foster care orientation twice a month for Weld County residents interested in learning more about foster care and certification. For more information about Foster Care in Weld County, visit https://www.weldgov.com/Government/Departments/Human-Services/Foster-Care.