Friday, May 16, 2008 

(315)  798-5800

Picente Honors Foster Parents, County Workers
During Foster Care Month Ceremony

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today honored the network of caring, compassionate adults who serve as foster parents and the dedicated workers who help foster children and families during a celebration of National Foster Care Month.

Picente, joined by Oneida County Social Services Commissioner Lucille Soldato, presented a proclamation honoring the adults and workers who care for the 442 children currently in some level of foster care in Oneida County . 

 “There are many levels of heroism, but these foster families are some of our community’s great unsung heroes because in a thousand ways every day, they provide care, guidance, support and direction for children who – without them – would have no one. Foster families fill an important and difficult role in providing youth a new opportunity to have the type of loving, caring, supportive family environment that all children deserve,” Picente said. “Children and youth in foster care require safe, stable, and nurturing environments to live in until they can either safely reunite with their parents or establish other lifelong family relationships. They can’t go through this alone, which is why we honor the families who help youth in their time of greatest need. Oneida County foster families who open their hearts and homes to children in need are true heroes.”

Picente said the County Government also honors all those who work with youth in foster care. “Foster care is a mission for those dedicated professional staff who work with children placed outside their homes and who devote their professional lives to providing guidance, understanding and permanency for those in need,” Picente said. “Helping a child who has been separated from his birth family make the tremendous adjustments needed to be able to create a solid future is a vital, difficult task. The children in foster care in Oneida County receive the support of outstanding men and women who work for our Department of Social Services.”

            Picente also urged area adults who want to add a new dimension of caring to their lives to consider becoming foster parents. For more information on how to make a difference, please call the Oneida County Home-Finding Unit at 798-5265.