Memorials, Professional Achievement - Lindsey Sizemore, Brentwood Middle School Teacher of the Year -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Gino Bulso

Designates May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Michigan to raise visibility, honor foster families and workers, and encourage community support—no funding or policy changes.

Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

#memorials #professionalachievement

Main purpose and intent

H.R. 84 is a non‑binding House resolution that designates May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Michigan. Its stated intent is to increase public awareness about the experiences and needs of children and youth in foster care, to honor the people and organizations who support them, and to encourage continued community involvement to improve outcomes for foster youth.

Key provisions

Formally declares May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month in the State of Michigan.

Recognizes May as the nationally observed Foster Care Awareness Month.

Commends and honors:

Foster families and kinship caregivers
Child welfare professionals, mentors, advocates, and volunteers

Notes that approximately 10,000 children in Michigan are in foster care or residential placement due to abuse or neglect.

Highlights the benefits of kinship (relative) placements for stability, continuity, and cultural connection.

Calls out common misperceptions about children in foster care and affirms that placement is due to parental/guardian actions, not the child’s behavior.

Encourages citizens, communities, and organizations to support foster youth through service, advocacy, and community engagement.

Who is affected

Symbolically affects:

Children and youth in Michigan’s foster care system (about 10,000 as cited in the resolution)
Foster families and kinship caregivers
Child welfare workers, mentors, volunteers, and advocacy organizations
Schools, faith communities, and local organizations that may observe or promote awareness activities

The resolution does not create legal rights, funding, or regulatory changes; its impact is awareness‑raising and encouragement of community action.

Procedural and timeline notes

Classification: House resolution (ceremonial/congratulatory).

Sponsors and proponents (as listed in the resolution): Rep. Luke Meerman (lead) with co‑sponsors including Reps. Mentzer, Rheingans, Outman, Miller, and additional co‑sponsors listed on the adopted version (Alexander, Glanville, Paiz, Rogers, Witwer, Young).

Legislative actions (selected milestones):

Introduced/Filed: January 2025
Read and adopted by the Michigan House: late January – early March 2025 (calendar entries show readings and adoption in that period)
Enrolled and signed by the Speaker: April 29, 2025
Presented to the Secretary of State: May 5, 2025
Status: Adopted (ceremonial resolution)

Because it is a resolution, no executive concurrence or statute change is required.

Practical impact

H.R. 84 is primarily symbolic. It raises visibility for foster care issues, encourages community support and volunteerism, and may be used by state and local groups as a formal basis for outreach, events, and recognition activities during May 2025. It does not authorize funding or modify child welfare policy.

Bill