June 22, 2011 -- With the need for foster parents continually great, Westchester County has teamed up with two nonprofit agencies to help recruit, train and certify foster care parents for the community's most vulnerable children.
Under the new arrangement, the county's Department of Social Services will work with Family Ties of Westchester and United Way of Westchester and Putnam. United Way's 2-1-1- information line will accept calls from potential foster parents and do the initial screening, then sign them up for orientations with Family Ties. Foster parents receive monthly room and board reimbursements as well as other support services.
"Close to a half million youth across the nation live in foster care because their own families are currently unable to care for them," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "These children need and are entitled to a safe loving home. Through this program, we hope to make it easier to find qualified foster parents who can give these children the care and attention they deserve."
The county currently has more than 200 foster parents caring for 236 kids. However, many homes just want one child and are very specific about what they want. There is still a great need for families who will take sibling groups, older children, minority children and children with special needs. Siblings often have to be split up in foster care, jeopardizing long-lasting relationships..
Family Ties is an experienced parent training and support services agency.
"We work with each family to identify if foster care is the best option for them" said Carol Haredesty, executive director of Family Ties of Westchester, Inc. "Our work is supporting and strengthening foster parents skills, so they can give the best care to our children."
Commented Naomi Adler, CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam, "Not only is 2-1-1 a convenient first step for people who want to know more about becoming a foster parent , but in our work the evidence supports that a safe environment is the first step in getting children on the right path to success."
To find out about how you can make a difference in a child's life dial 2-1-1 today. The center is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral telephone service that operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.