Foster Care: Keeping Families Whole

Harlem Dowling's Foster Care and Adoption Services would not be possible without the unselfish love, care and attention of its foster and adoptive families. Time and time again, families from all over New York City continue to answer the call to assist children and families in crisis and distress. When reunification with the birth family is not possible, over 90 percent of the children in foster care are adopted by their foster parents. Our foster families are deeply committed to the children entrusted to them and they overwhelmingly make lifelong commitments to giving children permanent loving homes. Harlem Dowling is proud of its resounding achievement in completing over 800 adoptions from 2000 to 2008.

Finding adoptive and foster families for children is the hallmark of the work of Harlem Dowling. When a family's ability to stay intact is compromised, Harlem Dowling seeks solutions within the community to help that family stay together. Keeping families together is often bridged through adoption by kinship caregivers. Kinship Foster Care provides family connections, continuity and familiarity for children.

The fastest growing segment of the foster care population is adolescents. Our Preparing Youth for Adulthood Program is committed to assisting our youth with identifying and placing them in homes with caring adults. Connectedness to the birth family and other caring adults is vital to providing youth with the emotional support and guidance that will aid them in making the successful transition to adulthood. We seek adults and families that are committed to working with our youth to achieve their educational and career goals. The Mentoring Program and the Adoption Mentoring Program are two programs that work with adolescents to form close ties and bonds with caring adults, including adopted adults.

Therapeutic Foster Care is provided for children and youth who require specialized care from foster parents with extensive training in meeting the needs of children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges and disabilities.

The Supervised Independent Living Program provides supportive housing for young adults aging out of the foster care system. Supportive housing and counseling services are provided to college students, working youth and young mothers and their children. Youth residing in the Supervised Independent Living Program live on their own and manage their daily affairs with the support and guidance of our program staff. Our newest initiative with foundation support will include supportive housing for youth over the age of 21 in need of additional assistance.

A Child Needs You... Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent

FOSTER PARENT CRITERIA
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single, married, divorced, widowed, separated
Income: Individual family financial resources necessary to meet household and personal expenses
Housing Factors: Must rent or own a residence in good repair


CHARACTERISTICS OF FOSTER FAMILIES
• Love and concern for the welfare of children and families
• Flexibility and patience
• Ability to take children to necessary appointments
• Criminal background check and clearance
• No history of child abuse
• Willingness to participate in home assessment process and training program


HOMES NEEDED FOR
• Sibling groups
• Parenting teens
• Adolescents
• Children with special needs


24/7 Foster Parent Support Provided
• Monthly Stipend Provided

November 12, 2011:

Harlem Dowling Executive Director, Dorothy Worrell and Service Coordinator, Olga Montano were recently guests on Good Day New York Fox 5 Street Talk

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/about_us/street_talk/street-talk-nov-12-2011#.TsE2bLzXZ8k.facebook