National Foster Care Month in May invites us to acknowledge the essential roles we can each play in transforming the lives of foster youth within our communities. As of the end of February 2025, there were 7,711 children residing in out-of-home foster care settings in Arizona (Department of Child Safety – Monthly Operations Report, https://dcs.az.gov/reports).
Thousands of dedicated foster parents, social workers, advocates, professionals, and volunteers are tirelessly working to protect and nurture these vulnerable children, striving to find them a permanent and stable place to call home. However, there is still much more that the community can do to assist.
“This May, we encourage every community member to consider getting involved,” stated Emily Nader, CASA Coordinator. “There are numerous ways to make a difference, such as becoming a child’s CASA. While a child may be surrounded by caring adults providing services to their family, a CASA serves as a consistent adult who advocates solely for the child’s safety and best interests. We play a crucial role in the child’s support team, helping them heal from past trauma and achieve a permanent and safe resolution to their case.”
In honor of National Foster Care Month, we encourage the community to learn more about the many ways you can impact the lives of these children. You can make a difference by:
- Volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to serve as the child’s advocate for safety, best interest, and timely permanency. www.CASAofGilaCounty.org
- Become a Foster Parent. Open your home and heart to a child in need of a safe, temporary, place to live. Talk to the local licensing agency to learn more: Clarvia.com/Arizona/foster-care/
- ADOPT! Children throughout Arizona are waiting to be adopted. Learn more: https://dcs.az.gov/adoption
- Serving on the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) – There is at least one Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) in each Arizona county with several boards in the more populated counties. There are five volunteer members on each board. They are appointed by the court and have a sincere interest and concern for children. (https://www.azcourts.gov/FCRB)
- Helping spread the word in your community by organizing an event, speaking to a community group, or hosting a training.
For more information on National Foster Care Month, visit www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth. For more information about CASA of Gila County, contact Emily Nader at enader@courts.az.gov , call 928-402-4427 or visit www.CASAofGilaCounty.org.