The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) works tirelessly to find permanent homes and support for the 31,600 New York City children currently under their care. Through its hard work and dedication over the last six years, it has finalized a record 21,400 adoptions, collected over $2 billion in child support, and transformed ACS into the model child welfare agency in the country. Editorials have praised their efforts, saying that the "City is saving the children." But we're going to need your help in making ACS's gains permanent. Any good parent can tell you that raising a child is the most important and challenging job there is. The amount of love, care, and commitment it requires is enormous. But any mother or father will also tell you that the gifts they get in return for being a parent are immeasurable. Even the most common moments of everyday life -- walks to school, quiet time reading together, and talkative meals at the kitchen table -- become something special when they are shared with a child. If you or someone you know is considering becoming a parent through adoption, NYC Adopt 2001: Finding Families for Children, a special event that will take place on Saturday, September 15, from 11am to 4pm, in the East Meadow of Central Park, is the perfect chance to learn how. At NYC Adopt 2001, prospective parents meet with professionals from more than 60 adoption agencies to discuss the endless rewards of adopting a child. Prospective parents can attend adoption orientation sessions and talk directly with adoptive parents about their experiences. NYC Adopt 2001 is also a large-scale celebration, marking another successful year of finding homes for children in foster care. This year, Tari Phillips of the New York Liberty, will join us to help celebrate the record number of adoptions finalized over the past six years. For the first time, parents will also be able to view the NYC Family Album, which contains biographies and photos of children waiting for a loving family, on ACS's new website, www.nyc.gov/adopt. It lets prospective parents get to know children who need adoptive homes through photos, bios and their own words. The site also features comprehensive information about public adoptions, links to area resources, adoption success stories, and a breakdown of the steps needed to complete the adoption process. Although the foster-care population has decreased sharply since the establishment of ACS, there are still hundreds of children in foster care who need a permanent home so that they may reach their full potential. Most of these children are older or part of a sibling group. Some have emotional, mental or physical challenges that require special care and attention. What they share is the hope that they will find a loving, adoptive family. Removed from homes defined by abuse, neglect, and drug abuse, these children need stable, nurturing homes to call their own. ACS has worked wonders in overhauling what had been a poorly managed and inefficient child welfare system. By taking such steps as significantly increasing staff training and reducing the number of cases per caseworker, streamlining the adoption process, and instituting a community-based system so that children and families receive support and services close to home, ACS has greatly improved upon the situation which it inherited six years ago. The overwhelmingly positive results stemming from our creation of ACS demand that we let it finish the work that is still left to be done. That choice will be yours in the ballot box this November, and I urge you all to vote yes on the Charter Revision that would continue the success of ACS by making it a permanent City agency. And if you have ever thought about raising a child, there are boys and girls in our city who await your support and love. It is the responsibility of us all to protect and help build stable homes for them, but our children's future is largely shaped by the values of their parents. Those who offer their hands and hearts to children who need them will receive the rewards of parenthood as they contribute to a better future for our City. For more information, call (212) 676-WISH (9474) or view the adoption web site at www.nyc.gov/adopt. I hope to see you there!
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