SR0244 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0244 LRB103 32188 ECR 61310 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, National Foster Care Month in May of each year is a time to place a spotlight on the important role that members from all parts of child welfare play in supporting the children, youth, and families who are part of the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, In 2023, Foster Care Month is focusing on highlighting the need to take a holistic and culturally responsive approach to supporting the mental health needs of those involved with child welfare; and

WHEREAS, Mental and behavioral health is the largest unmet health need for children and teens in foster care, with up to 80% of children in foster care having significant mental health issues when compared with approximately 18 to 22% of the general population; and

WHEREAS, A holistic approach is required to meaningfully address the mental health needs of children, teens, and young adults in foster care, which focuses broadly on their well-being within the contexts of home, family, school, work, and community; and

WHEREAS, Investing in culturally appropriate mental health services that recognize an individual's identity, culture, and lived experience may significantly improve the effectiveness of those services and supports, thereby improving long-term outcomes for foster care youth; and

WHEREAS, Relational permanency is fundamental to the well-being of children and youth in foster care, as having stable, nurturing placements positively impacts their resilience and long-term well-being while further allowing them to develop their identity and live within or stay connected to their community and cultural roots; and

WHEREAS, There are over 391,000 children and youth in foster care in the United States, and they all deserve a safe, loving, accepting, stable, and nurturing home; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of May 2023 as Foster Care Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.