Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today highlighted May as National Foster Care Month and asked Southern Arizonans to join him in saluting the courage and generosity of foster parents.

“This is a cause I’ve always felt very strongly about, and I hope this is an occasion for the people of our community to consider sharing their homes with children who deserve as much as anyone else to grow up in a loving environment,” Grijalva said. “There are more than four hundred thousand children currently in foster homes nationwide, and the families who have dedicated their lives to these children deserve our recognition and our thanks.”

On September 30, 2010 – the last period for which data are available – there were 10,514 children in some form of “out-of-home care” in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). The majority of children in out-of-home care are either in the 1-5 age range (35.3 percent) or the 13-17 age range (24.6 percent).

“Foster care is one of the best, truest ways to help a child live a happier and more positive life,” Grijalva said. “National Foster Care Month is about remembering that foster parents are some of the bravest people in our community, and thanking them for their bravery and generosity. I’m proud to be a foster family advocate, and I hope this month raises public awareness as much as possible.”

For more information about adoption and foster care in Arizona, contact DES at 1-877-KIDS-NEEDU (select option 2 for Spanish).