FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Contact: mediainquiry@acs.nyc.gov (212) 341-0886

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES CELEBRATES 2017 NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH WITH CITYWIDE EVENTS

ACS and foster care agencies are partnering with Family Courts in each borough to promote awareness for adoption for children in foster care

New York, NY – The New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) is hosting National Adoption Month celebrations throughout the city in recognition of those who help make adoption a reality, including the county Family Courts, foster care adoption staff at ACS and provider agencies, legal advocates and the New York State Office of Children and Families (OCFS).

This month-long celebration recognizes adoptive families and the professionals who work to achieve permanency through adoption for children in foster care, and highlights the need for families to consider adopting children from the child welfare system.

"ACS is proud to celebrate adoption with adoptive families, the Family Court, our foster care agencies and advocates," said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell. "While the foster care census remains at a historic low in New York City, all young people deserve loving homes and a forever family. Our new $11.3 million partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will significantly expand the Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) adoption program in New York City to find permanent, loving families specifically for older youth and children with special needs."

"Families willing to adopt a child from foster care are our heroes, and the caseworkers, attorneys and judges who work so hard to make it happen are such a critical part of these stories," said Jim Purcell, CEO of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies. "We are happy to join with them to celebrate their successes during National Adoption Month."

ACS is aggressively implementing a Foster Care Strategic Blueprint to improve outcomes for children in foster care. There are 100,000 young people in foster care across the U.S. — and more than 3,000 in New York City's foster care system— awaiting adoption. Most of these children will be adopted by their current foster parents; however, some children remain in need of a permanent family.

The long-month celebration kicked off last Thursday when the Bronx County Family Court hosted an Adoption Day Celebration, where ACS was on-site to provide information on how to become an adoptive parent.
On Monday, November 13th, the Queens County Family Court will host an Adoption Day Celebration from 9 am to 1 pm at 151-20 Jamaica Ave, 5th floor, in Queens; and on Wednesday, November 15th, the New York County Family.

Court will host an Adoption Day Celebration from 9 am to 1 pm at 60 Lafayette St, 6th floor, in Manhattan. Both events will recognize the efforts of our partners who help make adoption a reality, including the Office of Children and Family Services and foster care adoption staff.

On Thursday, November 16th, the Kings County Family Court will host an Adoption Day Celebration from 9 am to 4 pm at 330 Jay St, 6th floor, in Brooklyn; and on Tuesday, November 21st, Richmond County Family Court will host an Adoption Day Celebration from 9 am to 1 pm at 100 Richmond Terrace, 2nd floor, in Staten Island where we are also recognizing the efforts of our partners and families that have adopted throughout the year.

Adoption Family Fun Day @BowlMor Times Square will take place on Saturday, November 19th from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 222 West 44th St in Manhattan. This event is for newly adopted children, their families and children who are adoptively placed.

Decades of study show that children benefit greatly from the stability of a permanent family, and young adults need lasting family connections and support as they transition into adulthood. Most children in foster care return home to their families, but when that is not possible, adoption and kinship guardianship are the desirable outcome.

For information about becoming an adoptive parent, please visit: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/child-welfare/foster-adopt.page

The Bronx Family Court hosted an Adoption Day Celebration last Wednesday for families who recently adopted a child or are in the process of adoption

The Bronx Family Court hosted an Adoption Day Celebration last Wednesday for families who recently adopted a child or are in the process of adoption

About the New York City Administration for Children's Services:

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) protects and promotes safety and well-being of New York City's children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care and education services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services, and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. ACS is aggressively implementing a Foster Care Strategic Blueprint to improve outcomes for children in foster care. The overall number of children in foster care continued to decline, among other significant progress made to improve case practice and outcomes for children and families in the foster care system. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. In early care and education, ACS coordinates and funds programs and vouchers for close to 100,000 children eligible for subsidized care.

For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/acs.