ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services honored a Jeff Davis County couple as Foster Caregivers of the Year during an appreciation luncheon and awards ceremony on May 20 in Atlanta.

Michael and Barbara McBroom were chosen among foster parents nominated by Division staff statewide based on their outstanding service and partnership with the agency.

“We are grateful for all of Georgia’s foster parents for opening their homes and hearts to children in need,” said Division Director Tom C. Rawlings. “Our Foster Caregivers of the Year, however, deserve special recognition because they consistently go above and beyond what we ask of caregivers.”

The McBrooms have fostered 41 children, including respite placements, during the past six years. They work tirelessly toward the reunification of their foster children with their birth parents. When reunification is not possible, they assist with the transition of the children to adoptive placements. The McBrooms are members of the new Foster and Adoptive Parent Association serving Wayne, Jeff Davis, and Appling counties.

According to the case manager who nominated the McBrooms, they are “the epitome of partnership parents as they are always willing to help the agency and attend monthly trainings and meetings.”

“The McBrooms are partners in every sense of the word,” the case manager said.

The awards program is part of National Foster Care Month, an occasion to recognize that everyone can be a part of enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care by either becoming a caregiver or supporting foster parents. The theme for this year’s National Foster Care Month is “Foster Care as a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for Parents.”

With the recently passed Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) going into effect soon, Georgia will need even more foster parents as they move children out of group home settings to family-style placements.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, or ways to support them, call 1-877-210-KIDS or visit www.fostergeorgia.com. Interested individuals will undergo background checks and pre-service training to help them enhance their skills for parenting and nurturing children.