When youngsters lack a loving and supportive home life — even if that is just a temporary circumstance — they are put at an enormous disadvantage. All too often, the result can be a journey to adulthood that does not afford the child the type of environment necessary to thrive.

One of the options for such young folks is placement in a temporary home with a caring family — foster care. There is a pressing need for more Americans to help out.

With that in mind, President Donald Trump has declared May as National Foster Care Month. Here is part of the president’s proclamation:

“Foster families serve young people from all walks of life, from infants awaiting adoption, to children seeking reunification with their families and teens in need of safe havens from negative influences. In many cases, they offer our nation’s most at-risk children a second chance at the American Dream.

“A tremendous demand exists for foster parents and families across the country. Together as a nation, we must raise awareness about this need and inspire volunteers to step forward and invest in the lives of our nation’s youth through our foster care system.”

Here in the Hawkeye State, Iowa KidsNet is the single statewide service provider for people interested in becoming foster parents or adopting from foster care. It is contracted by the Iowa Department of Human Services to recruit, train, license and support Iowa’s foster and adoptive families.

The Messenger urges area residents who have an interest in helping youngsters in difficult situations by becoming foster parents to take the time to learn more about foster care. National Foster Care Month would be an ideal time to do so.