Text Size
Bookmark and Share

Child, Youth and Family Services
November 16, 2012

Campaign Highlights the Need for More Foster Parents in Newfoundland and Labrador

Foster a Future…Foster a Child Today is a new, multi-media campaign developed to address the critical shortage of foster homes in the province. Earlier today the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, was joined by board members and foster parents with the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association at the Mount Pearl Soccer Hut to celebrate the launch of the campaign.

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to preview creative elements of the campaign, as well as to meet Allan Hawco of the television series Republic of Doyle, who is featured in the television and radio advertisements.

Foster a Future…Foster a Child Today is an outstanding initiative that reinforces our government’s commitment to safeguarding children and youth,” said Minister Johnson. “It delivers an urgent message that will resonate with the people of our province, who are well-known for their generous and caring qualities. It will inspire them to get involved and join in the collective effort needed to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable resource.”

The Foster a Future…Foster a Child Today campaign encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to open their homes to children and youth who need a safe and nurturing place to live for a week, a month, a year, or longer. The recruitment campaign was created for the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services by local agency Spark Marketing. It will commence the third week of November and appear in print, radio and television advertisements.

“Our government is thankful for the 584 foster families currently serving our province,” said Minister Johnson. “We hope to attract many more with this campaign, in addition to other elements of the continuum of care strategy announced earlier this year.”

In Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, the Provincial Government introduced the new continuum of care strategy to enhance the care options for children and youth in need of out-of-home placement. With a total expenditure this year of $4.1 million, the strategy will strengthen foster care by increasing funding for kinship arrangements and foster homes, and enhancing supports and training for foster parents. Improvements like the new four-level system will recognize the skills and training of foster parents, and children and youth will be matched to a foster home that best meets their needs.

“We are optimistic that this new recruitment campaign will increase the number of foster families in our province,” said Diane Molloy, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association. “Our organization will continue to work with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services to encourage people to open their hearts and respond to the critical need for more foster families.”

To view campaign materials and find information about becoming a foster parent, visit www.FosteraFuture.ca; opens in new window or contact Child, Youth and Family Services toll free at 1-855-683-8111. Information is also available through the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association toll free at 1-877-754-0218.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
MichelleHunt@gov.nl.ca
Diane Molloy
Executive Director
Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association
709-754-0213
dianemolloy@nfld.net

2012 11 16                          11:55 a.m.

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.