Tina Smith: “I rise in observance of National Foster Care Month. Throughout our Nation, so many families provide loving and caring…”

“I rise in observance of National Foster Care Month. Throughout our Nation, so many families provide loving and caring homes for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect. This month is an important reminder to thank the families who welcome these children into their homes, as well as the State and local officials, social workers, health care workers, and others in our communities who look for signs of abuse and take action to ensure it stops. Social workers, in particular, have numerous demands placed on them in their efforts to ensure appropriate care of abused and neglected children, those with disabilities and our vulnerable elderly. To help these workers in their important jobs, I recently introduced the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Reinvestment Act with Senator Mikulski. I look forward to swift passage of this bill so that we can better support our Nation's social workers. I also want to thank those who help parents who may have a substance abuse problem or who suffer from mental illness. These important professionals help so many parents to overcome their illnesses, which can be a barrier in providing safe and stable homes for their children. Our justice systems, including our judges, attorneys and local law enforcement, who work every day to ensure the safety of our children, also deserve our recognition this month.”