Recognizing the Faith in Families foster parent recruitment effort as a compelling way to introduce and engage Philadelphians of faith and concerned citizens to the plight of foster youth.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) is charged with the mission of providing nurturing and caring homes for young people in need of loving families; and

WHEREAS, Collaborating with the Black Clergy of Philadelphia to educate parishioners of all faiths to the needs and strengths of Philadelphia’s foster children is consistent with research that suggests “people of faith” are more likely to become foster parents; and

WHEREAS, November 3, 2005 is this kickoff for a new and energetic partnership between DHS and the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity; and

WHEREAS, When young people are placed in nurturing, permanent environments the impact on their lives can be tremendous, as they achieve remarkable mental, physical, psychological, emotional and social growth; and

WHEREAS, Since Fiscal Year 2002, Philadelphia's foster and kinship care system has experienced an 84% increase in permanencies - finding permanent homes for children - and a 50% decrease in instability of placements - instances where children move from home to home and within the system; and

WHEREAS, Realizing that the collective energy of partnerships make good things happen, DHS has joined with Bishop Ernest Morris and the Philadelphia Black Clergy and Vicinity, the Statewide Adoption Network, NBC-10, the Freddie Mac Foundation, Philadelphia’s Heart Gallery and the National Adoption Center to ensure that our most vulnerable youth are surrounded by love and compassion; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,

That the Faith in Families foster parent recruitment effort will span the six months between National Adoption Month in November and National Foster Care month in May, we hereby resolve the support of the City Council of Philadelphia to the “Faith in Families" foster parent recruitment effort.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity for their efforts to place children with nurturing adoptive families as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End