Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York

The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY) works to
ensure no foster, adoptive or kinship care family in New York State feels alone
or unsupported and that they have the services, tools, support and community
they need to nurture their children and thrive.

The Coalition was created in the 1960s by adoptive parent groups throughout
New York State to advocate for local and statewide changes on behalf of
children.

Each year, we reach:

• 2,000+ families, helping them become stronger and more capable of caring for their children (documented in research with Nim Tottenham, Ph.D., Columbia
  University);
  


• 500+ professionals working with caregivers and children in the
  child welfare system;


• Over 160,000 individuals seeking comprehensive
  resources on our website with half a million views each year.

Coalition Programming Includes:

The HelpLine: the only free statewide, 24/7 helpline for foster
parents, adoptive parents, kinship guardians, and professionals. Call 888.804.3575.

Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Program for Everyone (AGAPE): a
signature program offered in 1/3 of New York counties, providing post-adoption
and guardianship services to help vulnerable families thrive and stay together.
This includes assessment, counseling, referrals, case management and in-home
support, advocacy, parent education and youth support services, and other
resources.

Kinship Caregiver Support Program: The Kinship Caregiver Support Program is the Coalition’s free support, information and educational program open to all relative kinship caregivers who have formal or informal custody of children in Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Tompkins counties. The program includes referral to our free family centered, trauma informed therapist program which provides up to 15 sessions with a qualified therapist

Foster and Kinship Care Support Program: caregivers can get questions
answered, help solving problems, or receive training. We provide a network of
local peer parent support groups and training opportunities throughout New
York, regularly scheduled workshops, comprehensive resources on our website,
and a closed Facebook parent group with over 1,800 foster and adoptive parents
participating.

Adoption and Foster Care Therapist Network (AFCTN): we promote
clinical training opportunities for mental health professionals to become
competent in adoption, foster care, trauma, and attachment issues, maintain a
vetted list of adoption competent therapists, and work to make therapy
affordable for all families.

LIFT-UP: Legal Services & Information For Families To Uphold Protections aims to assist underserved and/or low- to moderate-income families in New York who are involved in civil legal issues related to adoption, foster care, and kinship guardianship. Families often need to navigate the child welfare administrative, social services, and legal systems to ensure the well-being of the children in their care on their own, without legal counsel, due to the high cost of securing legal representation, limited number of capable attorneys, and few pro bono programs. Through LIFT-UP, the Coalition provides for NYS Families: free legal clinics, legal consultations, legal assistance fund and a statewide service directory.

Advocacy: our efforts have resulted in improved legislation, greatly
enhanced foster care reimbursement rates, statewide post-adoption services, a
strong adoption subsidy program, and greater accountability of counties and
agencies.

Conference, Trainings and Events:  The Coalition hosts over 500 separate events annually including both virtual and in person support groups for both parents and youth, our signature Reframing Parenting educational training series and the annual NYC Foster Care and Adoption Conference.