May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care while honoring the families, caregivers, providers, and community members who help them find permanent homes and connections.

This year, we’re shining the spotlight on the voices of those who support the foster care community every day. We asked a few organizations that provide foster care services three simple but powerful questions: What’s the most important thing people should know about foster care? What’s one myth you want to debunk? And how can others support this work? Their answers are an important reminder that foster care is about more than placement. It’s about showing up with love, purpose, and compassion.

Watch the video to see the full responses, or keep reading for a preview. We’ve also included links to learn more about each organization at the bottom of this blog post in case you want to support their work!

What’s the most important thing you want people to know about foster care?

“It takes a village and today, the need for compassionate foster parents has never been more urgent.  Every child who enters our program is looking for more than just a home, they’re seeking safety, stability, and the warmth of a nurturing environment. By choosing to foster, you have the opportunity to profoundly change the course of a child’s future and in the process, transform your own life as well.” – Saint Francis Ministries

“The primary goal of foster care is to protect children from abuse and neglect. Just as important, however, is the effort to reunite children with their biological families whenever it is safe and appropriate. Foster parents play a crucial role in this process by supporting and mentoring birth parents along the way.” – Firefly Children & Family Alliance

What’s a myth or misperception you want to debunk about foster care?

“People often think: You must be married. You cannot work a full-time job. You need to be a homeowner. All these thoughts are false. You can rent or own your home and be single or married. We tell people, ‘As long as you have a room in your home and room in your heart, you can be a foster parent!’ Anyone screened and who meets the criteria can be certified.” – The Village Network

“A common misperception is that foster youth are ‘troubled’ or ‘bad.’ In truth, they are strong, resilient individuals who may have experienced trauma and are seeking safety, stability, and connection. What they need most is compassion, not judgment, and consistent, predictable relationships that help rebuild trust and foster healing.” – Family Centered Services of Alaska

How can someone reading this support the foster care community?

“You can help children in foster care by becoming a foster family, caring for relatives in foster care, providing respite, or providing resources for foster families. Often children come into foster care with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. You can also help foster families ease the transition of receiving additional children by donating clothes, bedding, furniture, or diapers.” – DCCCA

Learn More About the Organizations Featured

• DCCCA: DCCCA coordinates programs across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma to provide behavioral health prevention and treatment services, recruitment of foster homes, foster home training and support, family services, and traffic safety education and resources. Learn more about DCCCA’s foster care programs.
• Family Centered Services of Alaska (FCSA): FCSA offers many programs for children and young adults who are struggling with behavioral or mental health concerns. Today the organization provides individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment, and education services to children, young adults, and their families. Learn more about FCSA’s foster care programs.
• Firefly Children and Family Alliance: Firefly Children and Family Alliance, a nonprofit that supports Indiana families and adults, is built on the belief that giving kids and adults the chance to succeed creates stronger communities. Firefly’s programs and services include child abuse prevention, home-based services, youth placement and recovery services. Learn more about Firefly’s foster care programs.
• Saint Francis Ministries: Saint Francis Ministries provides a broad range of programs and services to children and families in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Mississippi, and Central America. The organization focuses on helping strengthen and heal families, while providing for the health and safety of children. Learn more about Saint Francis Ministries’ foster care programs.
• The Village Network (TVN): TVN is a leader in caring for at-risk youth and their families in Ohio and West Virginia. TVN’s services are designed to transition individuals to permanent, stable environments and include Community Services, Residential Treatment and Treatment Foster Care. Learn more about TVN’s foster care programs.

Thank you to these organizations and all foster care providers for the important work you do!