WASHINGTON, DC — In honor of National Foster Care Month, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Dr. Roque Gerald, acting director, DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), today announced the launch of a month-long outreach campaign aimed at increasing the number of licensed foster parents in the District. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels from the legendary hip hop group Run-DMC, who was adopted as an infant, serves as spokesman for the District’s campaign.  

CFSA currently has access to 1,224 licensed foster homes in the Washington metropolitan area.  However, only 438 or 36 percent of these homes are actually located within the District.

“When more District residents foster, more of our young people are placed in the city, keeping them close to their school, friends, family and other surroundings,” said Mayor Fenty. 

The goal of the month-long campaign is to increase non-relative foster homes in the District from 440 to 500 or more over the next 18 months. The Freddie Mac Foundation is supporting the campaign through a $100,000 grant that will include:

• A paid television advertisement featuring McDaniels, who after learning as an adult that he had been adopted as an infant, has gained a national reputation for championing children and youth in foster care.
• The launch of a new website www.todaysfostercaredc.org  that provides information and options for getting involved with District foster care.
• An extensive email campaign to promote foster care to District residents.

“Foster parents are unsung heroes who make a huge difference to children and teens during a tough time in their lives,” said CFSA Director Dr. Gerald. “The safety and stability they provide allows most children in care to go back to their families. For those who can’t go home, foster parents are the top sources of adoptions.”

Currently CFSA has 2,200 District children and youth up to age 21 in out-of-home care. To provide safe, temporary havens for these youngsters, CFSA recruits, trains, licenses, directly pays, and supports a cadre of “agency” foster parents. CFSA is seeking more District residents willing to:

• Foster youth ages 12 to 21, now 60 percent of all District young people in out-of-home care.
• Keep groups of brothers and sisters together while in care.
• Open their homes to young people with manageable physical disabilities.
• Accept children and youth on short notice in emergency situations.

“We are privileged to partner with the District to find nurturing homes for children who need our help,” said Freddie Mac CEO Mr. Boyd. “As the adoptive parent of a brother and sister from foster care, I know firsthand the difference a foster parent can make to a child’s well-being.”

“I was fortunate to be adopted and for all children to have the opportunity to have love, encouragement, and guidance is the reason I’m going to do everything possible for children in the system,” said Mr. Mc Daniels “Whether it‘s through adoption, foster care, or mentorship, I want them to have the ability to become the people they are destined to be.”

District residents interested in fostering can visit www.todaysfostercaredc.org or call (202) 671-LOVE.