Mr. Speaker, today we begin Foster Family Appreciation Week. This is the week each year that we take time to celebrate the important contribution that foster families make in the lives of children.
Foster families open their homes to children and youth, providing them with stability, guidance and nurturing. They are people who find the time and energy to give a child a home, to give a child a chance and to give a child a place where they can be a child. They are there to help, to offer words of encouragement, to provide the care and attention needed by all children.
These families are important partners in the NWT social services network. They work in partnership with social workers, mental health professionals, schools and health care professionals to provide services and to ensure the well-being of children. They contribute to our success as a service provider in meeting the needs of our most vulnerable children. The dedication of foster parents is to be commended.
Mr. Speaker, nationally there is a shortage of foster families, and we in the NWT are no different. Foster home recruitment is a priority across the NWT, as there is an ongoing need for additional homes. Not only is there a need for all types of homes and homes with a variety of backgrounds, but there is a tremendous need for aboriginal foster homes.
I am pleased to say that the majority of the children in foster care in the NWT are placed in their home community and with their extended family. Our most current data shows we have 611 children receiving services with over half of them staying in parental, provisional or extended family homes, with 94 per cent of these children being cared for within the NWT. However, we need to do better. Our children need homes that are in their community, within their family, and homes that will ensure they remain connected to their culture. To do this we need people to come forward to open their homes to the children in need of love and support.
I would encourage anyone in the NWT who has a loving home and a desire to nurture our children in need and help care for them to call the social worker in their community and explore being a foster parent. The children of today are our leaders of tomorrow. Let’s give them the best opportunities we can.
During this week, throughout the Northwest Territories, events will be taking place to celebrate the contributions that foster families make to our communities. I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to all of the families who are choosing to make a difference in a child’s life. Thank you to all the foster families for being there for our children.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Michael McLeod.
