The Government of Alberta has launched a new campaign to encourage more people sign become foster parents. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Regan Tate / with files from David Opinko

Province launches campaign to recruit more foster parents

Feb 5, 2023 | 3:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The provincial government is launching a new awareness campaign to address a shortage of foster parents in Alberta.

The goal of the “Just Like You” campaign is to lead to the creation of 100 additional foster placements over the next year.

The campaign, which launched on Friday, February 3, 2023, urges Albertans to picture themselves as foster parents and consider opening their homes to children and youth in care.

The government says that the more foster homes there are in the province, the less likely it is that a child or youth will have to leave their home communities or be separated from their siblings.

Melissa Jones grew up with foster siblings and is now the Executive Director of the Alberta Foster and Kinship Association.

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She says, “Foster parents play such an important role. You are the temporary connection and support system children and youth in care need, to help stay connected to their families and communities as they walk through a challenging time of their lives.”

“The connection foster parents build with foster children lasts a lifetime, with many caregivers hearing their foster children for years to come,” Jones added.

This campaign to recruit more foster parents is part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Children’s Services to create more stability in the system, reduce the number of moves, and minimize disruptions during a child’s time in care.

The government says there is “no cookie-cutter” approach as to who can become a foster parent.

Foster parents can be single, have a partner, be raising their own children, or be an empty nester. They can live in the city, a small town or in the country.

Monique McCardle, a foster parent in Alberta, says, “Foster parents are everyday people people–just like you. If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent, now is the time. Children all over Alberta are in need of a safe place to temporarily call home.”

Albertans who are interested in making a difference in the life of a child by becoming a foster parent can learn more by calling 1-844-957-0552 or emailing fostercaregiving@gov.ab.ca.

Interested Albertans can also apply to be part-time or respite foster caregivers, so that full-time caregivers can recharge.

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