Happy Parents’ Day

July 24th is Parents’ Day. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law the resolution unanimously adopted by the U.S. Congress establishing the fourth Sunday of every July as Parents’ Day, a perennial day of commemoration similar to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. According to the Congressional Resolution, Parents’ Day is established for “recognizing, uplifting and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”

The establishment of Parents’ Day was the result of a bipartisan, multiracial and interfaith coalition of religious, civic and elected leaders who recognized the need to promote responsible parenting in our society and to uplift ideal parental role models, especially for our nation’s children.

Since the creation of this annual day of commemoration, local faith communities, elected officials and activists throughout the nation have creatively launched many activities around the theme of Parents’ Day designed to celebrate and strengthen the role parents’ play in the nurturing and development of children.

Responsible parenting is core to healthy child development. Likewise, the foundational values of the Permanency Practice Initiative highlight the importance of parents and families in the lives of children. Through Family Finding and Family Group Decision Making, parents, extended family and community members are given the opportunity to care for their children, providing lifelong connections and unconditional love.

Additionally, State Roundtable groups are working to enhance safe, positive relationships between children and their parents. These include the Father Engagement Workgroup and the Visitation Workgroup.