May is National Foster Care Month. This week, our state had a celebration called the “Blue Ribbon Event” in honor. "The Blue Ribbon Event brings together foster and adoptive families, CPS and DES workers, CASA’s and Foster Care Review Board Members, licensing workers and a variety of child welfare workers to tie one ribbon for each child in Arizona’s foster care system." (AZAFAP Organization)

My family attended and participated. We tied blue ribbons in a downtown area, were treated to hot dog bbq meal and, afterward, were given tickets to attend a professional baseball game. No one in my family (myself and hubby included) had ever attended a professional baseball game, so this was a real treat.(Yes, this picture shows the back of my kids’ heads at the ballgame).

For my large family of adopted children, many of whom used to be in the foster care system of our state, it was a great opportunity for them to take a few minutes to tie those ribbons in support of those children still in the foster care system. They feel an unspoken attachment to these “kids like them” and anything they can do FOR current foster children seems to boost the esteem of my children, now adopted.

This event was sponsored by AZAFAP, Arizona’s Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents. This group was only recently started in 2003, but the idea has been needed for years longer than this.

Not all states have foster and adoptive support groups or associations. However, a quick internet search showed at least 35 states that have organizations. Take a few minutes to search for a group in your state and see if you can offer and/or receive support! It’s near the end of May, but perhaps your agency has worked on something for National Foster Care Month…perhaps your family can enjoy participating! If not, how about wearing a blue ribbon all on your own in support of the children in foster care in our country?

Blogs on National Foster Care Month
Fost-Adopt Blog

Foster Care Blog