The Covington County Commission this week issued a proclamation designating May as Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Covington County. Shown are District 1 Commissioner Kenneth Northey, District 2 Commissioner Joe Barton, DHR’s Celia Kelley, Natalie Pinson and DHR Director Lesa Syler, District 4 Commissioner Kyle Adams, Foster Parent Association Chairperson Charles Willis and his wife, Noreta, Commission Chairman Greg White and District 3 Commissioner Tony Holmes. Each year, the month is set aside to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued the first presidential proclamation that established May as National Foster Care Month. Covington County continuously needs local families who are willing to step up to the plate and become foster parents. In December 2016, there were 63 children in foster care in Covington County, a number that was 25 more than were in DHR care in August 2015. Not having enough foster parents takes children out of the school district and often the county. There is also a great emphasis placed on foster parents who are willing to accept large sibling groups, special needs children and older children.

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