Do you want to help New York City make a difference in a young person’s life? Consider becoming a foster parent!
Currently, over 4,400 New Yorkers serve as compassionate and courageous kinship or foster parents. However, simply put, more are needed. In particular, New York City is seeking foster parents willing and able to provide a stable and loving home to vulnerable children and youth in crisis. In particular, New York City welcomes foster parents with the capacity to care for children or youth with complex needs, teenagers, or sibling groups. Those interested in becoming a foster parent should contact our dedicated WISH Line at 877-676-WISH (9474).
In honor of Foster Care Month, here’s what you need to know:
The timeframe to become a foster parent varies but usually takes about 3-6 months. After an orientation, prospective foster parents begin the certification process, which includes a comprehensive background check for all adults who live in the home; a medical exam to ensure good physical and mental health; and an assessment of your home to know the environment is safe for a child. Guidance and frequent updates are provided to all prospective foster parents throughout this entire process.
Importantly, foster parents are never on their own. They work alongside a team of dedicated people and are paired with one of our many experienced foster care agencies who work to help them succeed. Everyone has the same goal of supporting the child. We strive to make sure all foster parents are well trained and equipped for this role. Trainings are available on a variety of topics including understanding the impacts of trauma on a child, managing grief and loss, and how to respect cultural differences. The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) newly created NTDC with Trauma-Responsive and Informed Parenting Program (TRIPP) Principles is specifically designed to strengthen a foster parent’s ability to understand and support a child placed in their home. We know that a well-trained and supported foster parent increases the likelihood of a successful placement.
In addition to training, ACS makes sure foster parents have access to the everyday resources needed so a child or youth in foster care can thrive. Foster parents can receive resources such as childcare, therapy, a stipend, assistance finding extracurricular activities and access to summer camps for the child or youth placed in their home. Additionally, many of our foster care agencies also offer foster parent support groups and opportunities for foster parents to connect with one another.
New York City’s foster parents are some of the most supportive and compassionate people you’ll meet. We want children to be surrounded by people who will support them for who they are no matter their faith, culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. That is why we welcome and encourage adults from all different backgrounds and walks of life to apply.
In addition to recruiting foster parents, ACS has been doing more and more to help support young people in the city’s foster care system by making sure they have the tools they need to succeed. For instance, today, thanks to the College Choice Program, students in New York City’s foster care system can go to any college of their choice at no-cost. And, thanks to the Fair Futures program, any young person in foster care over the age of eleven has access to tutoring and a dedicated coach at age 14 to help them navigate life’s challenges. We’ve also been leading the state in our rate of placing children in kinship foster homes, with about 45% of children in care currently residing with family or close family friends.
In recognition of National Foster Care Month, ACS wants to thank all of the foster parents across the city who have opened their hearts and their homes to children in care. We are so grateful to you.
If you think you are the right person to make a difference in the life of a child, consider becoming a foster parent!
Ina Mendez is the Deputy Commissioner for Family Permanency Services at the Administration for Children’s Services where she oversees the City’s foster care and permanency work.
