Administration for Children's Services311Search all NYC.gov websites
Print

As Part of ‘National Foster Care Month,’ NYC Administration for Children’s Services Recognizes Foster Parents, Child Welfare Professionals and Other New Yorkers

May 1, 2026

Throughout “National Foster Care Month,” the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is recognizing the foster parents, family members, child welfare professionals and community members across New York City who care for children in need, support parents so they can safely reunify with their children and help children find permanent homes and connections. ACS encourages any New Yorker interested in becoming a foster parent to learn more by contacting the WISH Line: 1-877-676-WISH.

“ACS is grateful to the foster parents, child welfare professionals, community members and more who help make sure young people in foster care have the tools they need to thrive and be successful,” said ACS Interim Commissioner Melissa Hester. “We are proud of the fact that New York City is leading the way in providing support to youth in foster care and we are doing that by making sure young people in foster care have access to dedicated coaches, offering free college and vocational programs to youth, and ensuring our foster parents are trauma trained. We will continue to do everything we can to strengthen New York City’s foster care system and make sure the city’s children and young people in foster care are cared for in a safe, nurturing and loving environment.”

Interim Commissioner Hester went on to say, “We encourage anyone interested in opening their heart and their home to a child in need to contact our WISH line.”

“During National Foster Care Month, and all throughout the year, it is important to acknowledge all those who contribute to the wellbeing of children and youth in foster care. I am incredibly proud of the efforts we've made in New York City to help young people in foster care build permanent connections, overcome challenges and reach their goals. We are grateful to the foster parents, caregivers, professionals and others who support our young people and ensure they thrive,” said Ina Mendez, ACS Deputy Commissioner of Family Permanency Services.

ACS strives to keep families together by providing a full range of prevention services; however, when a child must be removed from a home due to safety reasons, ACS works to ensure that children receive high-quality care and that children and families receive needed services. Most children in foster care return home safely to their families. For those who cannot, ACS works to find loving, stable families for children through adoption or kinship guardianship. Over the past several years, significant work has been done to improve outcomes for children and families in New York City’s foster care system:

  • ACS has dramatically reduced the number of children in foster care to a historic low of fewer than 6,300 children in care, down from 12,000 in care a decade ago.
  • To ensure that children in foster care receive the care and nurturing they need, foster parents are provided with support and specialized training regarding meeting children’s needs and working with parents who are working towards reunification with the help of dedicated Parent Advocates.
  • More and more, children in New York City’s foster care system are placed with kin (relatives, close family friends, or other people who are already in a child’s life). From 2017 to present, ACS and its foster care agency partners increased the proportion of children in foster care who are living with kin from 31% to 43%. Research shows that children fare best with kin.
  • ACS has significantly expanded education and career development services for children and youth in foster care. The Fair Futures program has provided dedicated coaches, tutors, and education, employment, and housing specialists for thousands of youth in foster care and served over 4300 youth in 2025. Additionally, the ACS College Choice program covers the cost of college expenses for youth in foster care. Building on the program’s success, in 2025, ACS launched Career Choice, a program designed to support youth in foster care who are enrolled or accepted to an accredited trade school or job/training skills development program.
  • ACS continues to provide training and support to child welfare professionals to expand their knowledge base and strengthen their skills to deliver quality foster care services.

New Yorkers interested in becoming a foster parent can call 311 for more information. The greatest need is for foster parents who can care for sibling groups and children with special needs. Prospective foster parents can also contact the ACS WISH line at 877-676-WISH (9474) or visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/child-welfare/become-foster-adoptive-parent.page.