This May, National Foster Care Month will serve as a platform for connecting vulnerable children with concerned adults who can help nurture children in foster care.  This year's theme, Change a Lifetime, focuses on getting more foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers and volunteers involved in creating positive relationships with children in foster care.

More than 500,000 children are in foster care in America; 9,900 of whom are in Tennessee, according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. 

"As the national organization for foster parents, NFPA (the National Foster Parent Association) is honored to participate in National Foster Care Month," said Karen Jorgenson, NFPA executive director.  "We hope that communities across America will take time to remember our children in foster care and consider fostering children in their own community.  It is essential for a child's well-being to have a caring and nurturing relationship with an adult."

While many Americans have welcomed foster children into their homes and become involved in child welfare issues, more participation is needed to prevent the following by 2020:

§         Nearly 14 million confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect will be reported

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