"Answering the Call" Upstate

NYSCCC's AdoptUsKids Response Team

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES:

• Respond to prospective adoptive/foster family inquiries within three business days of receipt of contact information from AdoptUsKids.
• Provide information to prospective families via postal mail and website.
• Assist in linking families to agencies for orientation and homestudy.
• Ongoing contact with the families until assignment of an agency caseworker
• Refer families to local parent groups and other sources of support.
• Provide ongoing assistance, as needed.

PROCESS:

• Initial phone call to explore interests and provide appropriate information and referral, followed by mailing of materials specific to needs/interests.
• Call back two weeks later to learn if they received the materials, respond to any questions, and offer assistance and encouragement.
• Call back six weeks after initial contact to learn if they've connected with an agency, where they are in the process, and again offer assistance and encouragement.
• Call back at six months to inquire as to status of homestudy/certification process.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

• Share names of inquirers with other prospective adoptive/foster parents who have contacted AdoptUsKids or NYSCCC for mutual support
• Help develop parent support groups in counties where group doesn't exist. In counties where there is a parent group, provide support and assistance, as needed or requested, to develop activities that meet the specific needs of prospective adoptive/foster families.
• Develop a team of county-based parent volunteers who agree to take calls, answer questions, offer assistance, and provide ongoing support to prospective adoptive/foster parents.
• Reach out to agencies to develop database of recruitment activities, e.g., dates of orientation meetings, MAPP training, etc., and local support services.
• Expand website, including county specific pages, and improve general usability.
• Document and report on barriers to successful outcomes.
• Participate in efforts to effect positive change.

NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
501 4th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215
607-272-0034
office@nysccc.org
09/04/2008