KINGSTON, Jamaica — Over 600 foster parents and children converged on the grounds of Hope Zoo for a “Family Day Out” yesterday, signalling the launch of National Foster Care Week 2017 to be observed from February 12-18.

The week is themed “Your Home Makes a Difference”, and forms part of the Child Development Agency’s (CDA) calendar of events and will commence with a national church service on Sunday, February 12, at the Open Bible Church, Washington Boulevard in Kingston. The service will begin at 10:15 am. Other church services will be held in other areas.  

In a release, the CDA said that the week-long observance also includes appreciation functions, training seminars, community promotional walkthroughs, foster care information booths, and luncheons, aimed at heightening awareness of the programme and recognizing the contribution of foster parents while encouraging others to get on board. 

Foster care is an essential component of the CDA’s Living in Family Environment (LIFE) Programme, a process by which persons open their homes to children, providing them with a stable and nurturing environment, which contributes to their holistic development.

“Foster parents have made such an incredible contribution to Jamaica, by opening their homes and welcoming children in the child protection system to be part of their families. Over 800 children in State care are a part of the Programme, and our goal is to increase the number of parents in the programme as a step to alternate care,” said CDA’s Director of Children and Family Programmes, Audrey Budhi.