Bradford County proclaims May 2025 National Foster Care Month; Partnership for Strong Families urges local recruitment

The Bradford County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 2025 as National Foster Care Month and heard a presentation from Partnership for Strong Families highlighting local foster-care needs.

Sebastian, a Partnership for Strong Families representative, told commissioners the agency covers 13 North Central Florida counties and cited regional figures: "652 children in out of home care, only 50 homes. In Bradford alone, we have 53 children from Bradford County and only 9 homes here," he said, urging local recruitment so children may remain in their home counties and schools.

Sebastian outlined the typical foster-parent onboarding process: a roughly 21-hour virtual class spread over about three-and-a-half weeks, a home study and clearance checks. He said there are no fees for training or background checks and that the agency provides a board rate for foster families.

County commissioners moved, seconded and approved the proclamation unanimously. County staff read the proclamation language noting the national history of annual presidential proclamations for Foster Care Month and encouraging community support through volunteering, orientations and donations.