NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
CoaltioNet: Networking for Adoption
Grantee Parent Group
Accomplishments
and Services
Developed
NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
CoaltioNet: Networking for Adoption
Grantee Parent Group
Accomplishments
and Services
Developed
In 1997 the New York State Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Inc. received a three-year Adoption Opportunities grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its purpose was to use computer technology to increase the competency, effectiveness, and participation of New York State volunteer adoptive and foster parent groups in providing adoption support, recruitment, and advocacy services. The Coalition awarded sub-grants to 24 adoptive and foster parent groups for projects intended to increase adoptions and to develop new services to support adoptive and foster families. The grants consisted of $1,500, a fully configured laptop computer, training, technical assistance and other support services. The parent group projects resulted in 35 finalized adoptions, 90 adoptive placements, recruitment of 216 prospective adoptive and foster families, and the development of many new support services, as detailed below. (Note: Following each group’s accomplishments is a statement by the president of the group.)
Adoptive Family Network of Central New York, Inc. - Syracuse
" Our overall goal was to increase the presence of the group in the community so that a larger number of adoptive and pre-adoptive families would take advantage of the education and social programs, as well as the personal support available through a parent group. We feel the grant has enabled us to make great strides towards our goal, not only because of the material benefits of the grant, but due to the leadership of NYSCCC and the time the Board took to review our goals and progress."
Adoptive Families of Older Children, Inc. - New York City
"The funding enabled us to do the mailings for and provide child care at our monthly meetings, the backbone of our group…[and] allowed us to pay guest speakers. The presenter who spoke on connecting with your child’s birth family was our largest meeting of the year."
Adoption Resource Network, Inc. (ARNI) - Rochester
"We continue to work diligently at becoming ever stronger, and we appreciate your confidence and support!"
Champlain Valley Adoptive Families, Inc. - Plattsburgh
"Overall the revitalization project was successful and rewarding. Though we didn’t see the kind of growth hoped for, we did manage to stir some life into a dormant group. We look forward to continuing the impetus that was generated."
Families Interested in Multicultural Adoption, Inc. (FIMA) - Buffalo
"FIMA heightened the community awareness of children in care by providing community education regarding the needs of waiting children. Emphasis was placed on finding adoptive homes for the children thereby ensuring permanency."
Foster Parent Advisory Council of Suffolk Co., Inc. (F-PAC) - Long Island
"The computer has been an enormous help in record keeping and generating reports. We also used the computer at general meetings and at different foster homes so that our families might have access to the Internet. We have spent quite a bit of time emailing each other just to chat and help trouble shoot a problem for a family."
"It was truly a team effort [with DSS]…The thing I am most proud of is how much effort was put into working together. That was really a first for Suffolk County."
Foster and Adoptive Parents Association of Oneida County, Inc. - Utica/Rome
"Due to our 3 permanent placements, the action of County personnel to now look beyond Oneida county for adoption placements, the cooperation and satisfaction from Oneida’s Commissioner and Supervisory staff, and our new matching grant (assisted by DSS) we consider our adoption project a tremendous success."
Southern Tier Adoptive Families, Inc. - Binghamton
"As a result of receiving the grant award we were able to expand our efforts and increase our visibility in the community in ways we had previously only dreamed of doing…the computer was a key catalyst in helping the group become technologically oriented and visible in the community."
Adoptive Families Coalition, Inc. - Glenmont
"The immediacy of email enables us to share and express our opinions in a timely way. As advocates of children, we can collectively express our thoughts and, when appropriate, voice our concerns…"
Children with Special Needs Parents Association, Inc. - Brooklyn
"The difference between before C.W.S.N. started is foster, adoptive, and biological parents have a way to get information, help and support in whatever the need might be."
"The computer has helped us make flyers, keep an inventory of clothing, maintain a membership list and provide parents with information and web sites that might be helpful to them."
Edwin Gould Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Inc. - New York City
"Our recruitment drive exceeded the number we predicted and our buddy system has increased a great deal…New parents gave very positive feedback about the group. They indicated that they were getting exactly the kind of support they needed because veteran families are able to answer the hard questions with ‘real’ answers. "
Families Adopting Need Support, Inc. (FANS) - Kenmore
"In 2000, FANS was rolling along with improved relations with adoption agencies and other adoption support groups. Our newsletter was received with great praise and established us as a serious support group for any agency to use."
Home Again Adoption Support Group, Inc.
"We did well reaching and informing people, and many people showed interest. Home Again has found and identified some ways in which we can make support services available to our adoptive parents through outreach and using the resources we have within the group itself."
International Adoptive Families, Inc. (IAF) - Albany
"We believe that we were able to apply the grant funding and computer resources to increase our exposure to adoptive and potential adoptive families. We note that 25 new parenting or waiting families have become members; we also received telephone or written inquiries from at least that many individuals. "
Chautauqua County Foster/Adoptive Parent Association, Inc. - Asheville
"We established a much better working and understanding relationship with most of our DSS staff members…[We learned] with enough time and energy, you can usually accomplish anything you want in a group, and you need to be persistent…I think one of the most important things we accomplished this year was to get the word out that we are available if anyone wants to join us."
Child Development Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Inc. - Brooklyn
"We were a major factor in dragging our agency into the 21st century once they realized the group wasn’t going away. We showed them that they exist only because of the foster/adoptive parents and that education and training were a must for their social workers and staff. Also, parents had to value themselves and the work they were doing for children and society. Both the agency and parents learned to co-exist for a better working relationship."
Concerned Foster and Adoptive Parents Support Group, Inc. - Brooklyn
"During this grant year we have learned the importance of organization. We need to keep all materials organized so we can keep our parents well informed."
Families and Children Together for Support, Inc. (FACTS) - Blasdell
"The most important things we accomplished this year were newsletter, advocacy, providing support & comfort, recruitment of new prospective parents, increased membership, increase in support from local agencies that provide various services for children. The accessibility of the computer has been a great key to our success."
Foster and Adoptive Parent Association of Nassau County, Inc. - Oceanside
" We bring together foster and adoptive families and share our resources and support for each other. We help open lines of communication between caseworkers and foster parents."
Fulton County Foster/Adoptive Parent Association, Inc. - Gloversville
"During the grant year one of the most important things accomplished was becoming incorporated. This was a significant step toward unifying our organization and giving us purposes that would benefit foster/adoptive parents, foster/adoptive kids and the community. It gives us credibility and standing as a not-for-profit agency and allowed us to further our cause as a group."
"One important thing learned was that a computer and Internet connection has become a necessity for any organization. I am grateful to NYSCCC for giving our organization the opportunity to unite and grow…Without the computer equipment and money, we would not have been able to achieve so much in less than a year. And even more important, [was] connecting with NYSCCC’s information, guidance, other member groups, trainings, website and wonderful caring personnel. "
Kitchen Table Support Group of Schenectady County, Inc. - Schenectady
"I believe one of the most important things I have learned throughout this grant year is that there is no easy solution to the problems facing the foster/adoptive parents in the region and that we need to concentrate on one or two areas in the development of the groups and not spread ourselves too thin."
North Country Adoption Support Group, Inc. - Watertown
"North Country Adoption Group would not be in existence if it wasn't for the grant and the support of the Coalition. The group is growing and becoming a great resource for adoptive and foster parents in the area."
Parents of Dunbar, Inc. - Syracuse
"We walk away with the knowledge that a group that is in communication, focused and willing to cooperate can move mountains. Also [we learned] how different ideas and different methods can work together and offset a crisis and create a solution in a crisis."
Westchester County Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Inc. - Mt. Vernon
"During the grant year we have learned that it takes commitment, structure and stability in order to grow as a group. We have come to accept that because our board members are burdened with many other responsibilities in the home, we have to be flexible…[W]e have become experts in producing quality work at the last minute because of the high commitment level of our board members."
10/30/02