About National Foster Care Month

National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau. Each May, we take time 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. We use this time to renew your commitment to ensuring a bright future for the more than 391,000 children and youth in foster care, and recognize those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. has a new program called “The Next Chapter”.  This program is designed to help young people that are transitioning out of foster care.

From a recent meeting with case managers from Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) it was agreed upon that services would be offered on two (2) different levels.  One level would be focus groups with the participants and the other would be job development services offered to the youth here at Goodwill.  From that meeting, 13 participants have signed up to receive job development services. Seven (7) participants showed up for the most recent focus group and they held a lively discussion about their job goals, their fears, their perceived barriers and anything that “triggered” their emotions.  This is going to produce great results!

For more information you can contact Lilly at 419-255-0070 ext. 3104 or cbaldwin@goodwillnwohio.org