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Public Statements


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Contact: mediainquiry@acs.nyc.gov, (212) 341-0886

NYC ACS CELEBRATES 2016 NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH TO BRING AWARENESS OF ADOPTION FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

ACS and its foster care agency providers are partnering with the Family Courts in each borough this month to promote awareness for adoption for children in foster care

New York, NY – The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is pleased to join National Adoption Month celebrations across the country with a number of events in Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island to recognize the individuals and groups who help make adoption a reality, including the NYC Family Courts, foster care adoption staff and the New York State Office of Children and Families (OCFS).

This month-long celebration recognizes those who have adopted or helped in the adoption process of a young person in foster care. We also take this time to remind everyone that many children and teens in foster care need loving foster and adoptive homes and a forever family.

“Every child deserves a loving forever family, and we are committed to accomplishing this goal,” said ACS Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “We thank the New Yorkers who have stepped forward to provide a family for a child in foster care and the professionals who do this important work every day.”

ACS is aggressively implementing a Foster Care Strategic Blueprint and the intensive efforts to accelerate permanency for children and families are producing results. This past year, from FY 2015 to FY 2016, ACS and its network of provider agencies increased the numbers of children adopted by 5 percent and the numbers of children who achieved permanency through kinship guardianship (KinGap) by 17 percent.

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. Many of these children will be adopted by the current foster parents; however some children are still in need of their forever family. Children benefit greatly from the stability of a permanent family, and young adults need lasting family connections for emotional and legal support as they transition into adulthood and strive for success and independence. Most children in foster care return home to their families, but when that is not possible, adoption is a vital option.

The long-month celebration kicked off last Wednesday when the Bronx Family Court hosted an Adoption Day Celebration for families who recently adopted a child or are in the process of adoption (see photos of the event below).

Tonight, ACS will host a National Adoption Month Reception at the National Museum of the American Indian in Downtown Manhattan to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our colleagues, parents and individuals who work tirelessly to achieve adoption for children in foster care and to highlight our commitment to provide every child a family that loves and supports them throughout their lives.

Next Tuesday, November 15th, the Queens 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 16th, the Manhattan Family Court will host an Adoption Day Celebration from 9 am to 1pm 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 17th, 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 Friday, November 18th, the Staten Island 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 10 am to 2 pm at 222 West 44th St in Manhattan. This event is for newly adopted children, their families and children who are adoptively placed.

For more 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

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 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. 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