October 16-20 is recognized as National Foster Family Appreciation Week and during this time, Ontario’s child welfare sector recognizes the invaluable contributions of foster caregivers across the province.

Although child welfare agencies partner with families to keep children and youth in their homes, this is not always possible. When children cannot remain with their primary caregivers and kin or alternate care placements are not available, foster caregivers provide children and youth with temporary care in a family setting. In most situations, children and youth placed in foster care are reunified with their primary caregivers, families, and communities.

Throughout this week and the entire year, the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma would like to extend a very heart-felt, “Thank You!” to all our Foster and Kin Care families for all that they do to care for children and youth in our community.

While our agency is focused on keeping children and youth with their own families wherever possible, foster families are a vital part of the continuum of services provided by our agency.