NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
Program Goals and Accomplishments
Despite some of the best and most far-reaching child welfare legislation in the country, New York State continues to be a poor substitute parent for thousands of children caught in the foster care system. Bureaucratic neglect commonly results in protracted stays in what was intended to be a temporary system but has, in fact, become the way of life for thousands of New York State children.
Recent New York State Department of Social Services's statistics* show there are 25,605 children in foster care throughout the state. Nearly 7,000 have the goal of adoption. The average length of time spent in foster care is 3.6 years, but for those whose goal is adoption, the average length of time increases to about six years.
About 70% of the children in foster care in New York State are African American, Hispanic, or other minorities. In New York City, over 87% are Black, Hispanic or other minorities. Most of the children awaiting adoption are school-aged, members of sibling groups who need to be placed together, physically or mentally handicapped, and children who have experienced multiple moves. The special challenges and increased demands of parenting these children require extra efforts to find and support committed adoptive parents.
Studies document the damage to children who are products of the foster care system and who grow up without the stability of permanent, nurturing families. Yet despite the recognition of the disadvantages of impermanency and the advantages of permanent families, too many children continue to drift in out-of-home care--too long, too often lacking appropriate services, and too often resulting in psychological and emotional damage, anti-social behaviors, and wasted taxpayers' dollars. When children are placed for adoption, New York State families report that they don't receive the help they need to sustain the placements and assure stability for the new relationship.
The New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children was organized to address these problems through the following activities:
Incorporated in 1975, the Coalition unites adoptive and foster parent groups, concerned agencies, and individuals throughout the state who believe every child has the right to a permanent, loving family. We represent the citizen's viewpoint and are a statewide voice for children in need of permanency. We work to improve and expand the services available to children and families, advance program ideas, and educate responsible administrators and the general public concerning the needs of children and families.
Coalition members take pride in the fact that our organization was founded by and continues to be guided by adoptive and foster parent volunteers. The Coalition is governed by a statewide board which meets quarterly with CCC member groups in different regions throughout the state.
CCC's advocacy efforts have resulted in:
*NYS OCFS Quarterly Summary of Characteristics of Children in Foster Care, 09/2006
NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
501 4th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215
607-272-0034
office@nysccc.org
09/04/2008