Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has granted a licence to the Foster Families Association as a public benefit organisation in the emirate.

The association will operate as a community-driven entity dedicated to promoting a culture of family fostering and providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children in care, ensuring their positive upbringing and holistic well-being. This licence reflects DCD’s commitment to advancing national priorities aimed at strengthening Emirati families and embedding the values of social cohesion and solidarity. It also supports the development of an integrated ecosystem for foster family care by strengthening collaboration with government entities and specialised organisations across the psychological, social and educational fields.

Mubarak Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Social Licensing and Control Sector at the Department of Community Development, affirmed that licensing the Foster Families Association falls within DCD’s regulatory and supervisory mandate to govern and oversee public benefit organisations in the emirate. Al Ameri emphasised that empowering specialised entities to operate within a robust regulatory environment enhances the quality of social services, while reinforcing family stability and social cohesion across Abu Dhabi.

Al Ameri added that this licence represents a significant milestone in advancing the foster care ecosystem in Abu Dhabi by enabling specialised organisations to play a key role in raising awareness of family fostering and provide the necessary support to foster families. These efforts contribute to ensuring a safe and supportive family environment for children in care through a comprehensive system of psychological and social support, enabling their healthy development and positive integration into society.

Huda Al Meshjari, Founding Member of the Foster Families Association, highlighted that raising community awareness of the rights of children in foster care is a critical step toward ensuring comprehensive, child-centred care that meets their diverse needs, while maintaining effective protection measures against any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Al Meshjari noted that, over the long term, the association aims to deepen a culture of family fostering through specialised training programmes, workshops, and awareness initiatives that outline the rights, duties, and responsibilities of foster families. The association will also showcase successful family fostering stories that have positively impacted the lives of fostered children, reinforcing public confidence in the foster care system and encouraging broader community participation.

About Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development

Established in 2018 as the regulatory body for the social sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Department of Community Development (DCD) is dedicated to promoting community development by building empowered individuals and cohesive families.

The department plays a pivotal role in developing policies, strategies, and standards that enhance the efficiency of social services. This is achieved by adopting a scientific approach, conducting studies and surveys, and  analysing social data comprehensively. It also engages institutions across sectors, as well as community members, to develop programs and initiatives that respond to the actual needs of different segments of society.

Guided by its vision of providing a decent life for all members of society, the department works to design innovative solutions to address priority challenges and to enhance community awareness and participation. This, in turn, strengthens social cohesion and a sense of belonging, contributing to comprehensive and sustainable community development.