Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, including U.S. Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), joined 119 bipartisan co-sponsors in introducing House Resolution 251, recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and encouraging Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.

During National Foster Care Month, members of the Foster Care Caucus will participate in activities to celebrate foster youth and all those who make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster youth.

These activities will culminate in Foster Youth Shadow Day, when more than 60 foster youth from across the country will come to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 20 to share their experiences in the system with members of Congress and see firsthand how Congress works. Youth will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts on improvements the system needs, including support for those graduating out of foster care and addressing ways to keep families together.

“Foster care month is about more than words,” Bass said in a statement. “We are taking actions that we hope will truly make better a system that needs to work for hundreds of thousands of young people. This resolution is part of our important work to improve the foster care system and provide the best support to the individuals that come out of it.  Together, we will work to find solutions that support foster families and children and help foster youth find permanent and loving homes.”