Foege Honored By lowa's Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

DES MOINES - The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) recognized State Representative Ro Foege of Mount Vernon as one of its Legislators of the Year at ceremonies held on Saturday, May 18th at Adventureland Park in Altoona at the Second Annual "Celebrate Foster Care and Adoption Day"

Over 3,100 foster and adoptive parents and children attended this celebration, which recognizes foster and adoptive families throughout Iowa. Governor Tom Vilsack also signed a proclamation declaring May Foster Care Month.

"Representative Foege is a strong advocate for foster and adoptive parents," says Marvin E. Ferneau Jr. of Montezuma, a foster and adoptive parent and IFAPA board member. "His work as a social worker and his involvement with local support groups show his commitment to children. Representative Foege embraces these issues whole-heartedly."

Representative Foege has serves on both the House Human Resources Committee and the Human Services Budget Subcommittee. He worked on many issues that are important to foster and adoptive parents.

• Revamping the Foster Care Insurance Program.
• Advocating for an increase In the amount of money foster parents use to purchase clothing for foster children.
• Requiring the Department of Human Services to maintain up-to-date medical information on foster children.
• Helping craft legislation to ensure that the foster parents, biological parents and social workers involved in a child's life work together to achieve permanency and stability in the child's life.

"It is almost easier to list the things Ro hasn't been involved in," says Lynhom Stout, executive director of the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association. "Ro is just always there for foster and adoptive parents. He doesn't wait to hear from them, he actively seeks their ideas and works to make changes to make their lives better. That's his personality, and it stems from his life-long commitment to children."

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