NFPA's blue bracelets are back!

State affiliates, we're offering you 50 FREE blue bracelets for National Foster Care Month! These bracelets were a huge hit for 2013 so we're bringing them back. Just email Rachel Mertz at rmertz@nfpaonline.org to take advantage of this offer. If you would like more than 50, you must pay for additional bracelets in advance at the member rate of $37.50 per 50 bracelets ordered.

NFPA offers advance orders of blue bracelets

State affiliates, we're offering you 50 FREE blue bracelets for National Foster Care Month! Just email Sarah Schafer at sschafer@nfpaonline.org by March 20 to take advantage of this offer. If you'd like more than 50, you must pay for additional bracelets in advance at the member rate of $37.50 per 50 bracelets ordered.

Local affiliates and agency members, you can order the bracelets at our member rate of $37.50 per 50 bracelets ordered. If you are a state or local foster parent association or agency and would like to order bracelets, the non-member rate is $50 per 50 bracelets ordered.

All orders must be sent by March 20 to Sarah at sschafer@nfpaonline.org and include your name, address to which bracelets are to be sent, and a credit card number with expiration date. Bracelets will feature "Foster parents make a difference" and "NFPA."

As advocates for caregivers, it's never too early to start planning for National Foster Care Month so don't miss this great opportunity. Get your orders in by March 20!

Congratulations to our conference award winners!

The National Foster Parent Association would like to take a moment during National Foster Care Month to proudly announce the winners for our 42nd annual conference awards!

* Foster Family of the Year Award
(recognizing an outstanding and deserving foster family)
John and Diana Alejos, Nacogdoches, Texas



* State Foster Parent Association of the Year Award
(recognizing an outstanding and deserving state foster parent association)
Foster and Adoptive Family Services, New Jersey

* Local Foster Parent Association of the Year Award
(recognizing an outstanding and deserving local foster parent association)
Foster and Adoptive Family Services Volunteer Committee, Middlesex County, New Jersey


* General Service and Recognition Award
(recognizing a recipient who has performed a specific community service or activity)
Vanessa Tyus, Jacksonville, Illinois 



* Social Worker of the Year Award
(recognizing an outstanding direct service worker in a public or private child-placing agency)
Gia Wesley, Kent, Washington


* State Membership Award
(recognizing a state president with the greatest increase in NFPA membership)
Gladys Boyd, Illinois Foster & Adoptive Parent Association

* Gordon Evans Merit Award for Service to NFPA
(recognizing noteworthy service to NFPA)
Carolyn Walker, Jacksonville, Texas



* NFPA Regional Vice President Award
(recognizing a regional vice president with the greatest increase in NFPA membership)
Randy Ruth, Region 5

The winners will be honored for this achievement Saturday, June 16 at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort. Please join us in congratulating this wonderful group that will represent NFPA during 2012.