Child, Youth and Family Services
March 19, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:

Foster Families Needed in Newfoundland and Labrador

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of ensuring that children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador have an opportunity to grow, thrive and succeed in a safe and nurturing environment. In fact, our Premier has made public safety and protection, particularly that of children, among his highest priorities.

On an ongoing basis, we continue to reinforce and enhance the child protection system in our province, investing more than $140 million in the past year alone. An important element of this work is the vital role that foster families play in providing a positive and supportive environment for children and youth in-care. Fostering provides temporary and sometimes longer-term care for children and youth who are unable to live with their own families. Foster parents are key members of a team dedicated to helping children and youth through difficult situations by offering supportive and caring environments.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, it is critical that our government and community partners continue to raise awareness of the significant need for additional foster families in the province. To this end, we launched a targeted foster family recruitment campaign in 2012. I am pleased to report that since its launch, the Foster a Future campaign has helped to create approximately 115 new foster families, who have opened their hearts and homes to approximately 175 children and youth in-care.

We must continue to raise awareness of this important issue, Mr. Speaker, as there is still a critical shortage of foster homes in our province. We have children and youth in our province that have complex needs and require caring families while they are unable to live at home; others need foster families who share their Aboriginal culture; and some need foster placements a little closer to their home communities.

The decision to become a foster family is a significant one. There are numerous ways families interested in fostering can help, even if it’s just for a short period of time. I encourage anyone who is considering opening their home to become a foster family to contact my department or the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association.

It is only by continuing to raise awareness that our government and community at large can ensure we have a loving foster family for every child and youth who need one, perhaps at the most vulnerable period in their lives.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2015 03 19                                                 1:50 p.m.