Mr. Speaker, the week of October 17th to 23rd is National Foster Family Week. I would like to take a moment to recognize the valuable contribution that foster families make to our communities and our children.
Foster families form an important network of safe, caring homes for children. They have a very challenging and demanding role and provide care for children when parents are unable. There are about 200 foster homes in the NWT that give children a stable, nurturing home environment. It is encouraging to see that so many people in our territory have offered to care for children. Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the number of extended family foster homes.
Mr. Speaker, foster parents are an integral part of our child and family services. Their work goes beyond providing children with food and shelter. They offer children a supportive environment while supporting their interaction with their birth families. They are key members of a team dedicated to helping children and youth work through problems. Foster parents work with the social workers in their communities to meet individual educational, medical and developmental needs.
The children in foster care range in age from infants to teenagers. They include children from every part of our territory. Our foster families have welcomed these children into their homes, and should be admired and congratulated for the services they provide every day.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT. This organization strengthens the network of foster families. They advocate for children, provide a support network and participate in the development and delivery of foster family training all over the NWT. The coalition is an important resource for foster parents, to help them understand that they are not alone and that there are others who can support them through difficult times.
I would like to take this opportunity to call on families throughout our territory to become foster families. I ask the Members of this House to join me in applauding the efforts of those who have taken up this service throughout the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause