June 2018
We’re rounding the corner on summer and have lots of news to report! From a new Family First Act perspectives piece and a new, more informative RHF website to well-attended regional conferences and policy reform initiatives, RHF and our partners have been busy during National Foster Care Month.
And the important work continues! The Foundation believes that with Family First Act implementation on the near horizon, the time is nigh for counties and providers to learn, plan and act. Our focus in the coming months is to support efforts that connect NY child welfare practitioners and policymakers to information, experts and funding needed to increase family-based care across the state. We are also developing new funding and technical assistance for improved policies and practices together with counties. Please reach out with ideas and for collaboration.
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Kinship Conferences Convene Child
Welfare Leaders from 18 NY Counties
Onondaga Permanency Summit: #Allin4Kin
RHF and Onondaga County partnered to sponsor a kinship-focused summit in April with over 200 attendees from across 10 counties, representing departments of social services, provider agencies, family court and foster and kin families. Highlights included: a keynote address by Jeremy Kohomban of Children’s Village; and presentations by Elmcrest, Annie E. Casey Foundation, American Bar Association, OCFS, NY Kinship Navigator and youth leaders. Meeting materials are available here.
North Country Regional Conference on Kinship Care
RHF, the Children’s Home of Jefferson County, and the Jefferson County Department of Social Services organized a regional conference to learn how systems overcome barriers to support kinship placements effectively. More than 100 were in attendance from 12 counties. Meeting materials are available here.
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CHAMPS NY: New Effort Launches to Promote Policies in Support of Kinship & Foster Parents
Advocates, legislators, providers, and youth from across the state were on hand as CHAMPS NY was unveiled on May 30th at the Capitol in Albany. CHAMPS NY is a statewide coalition, working to advance state policies and practices that ensure children in foster care are placed into family-based settings whenever possible, and that foster parents (kin and non-kin) are well-supported. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy and Families Together in NY State, in partnership with the national CHAMPS campaign, are spearheading efforts for CHAMPS NY, which was recently highlighted in The Post Standard.
The event was co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Jaffee and Wright.
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Another Successful NYC Council
Foster Youth Shadow Day
On May 23rd, the Foster Youth Success Alliance (FYSA) hosted NYC Foster Youth Shadow Day at City Hall. Thirteen young people shadowed council members throughout the day, which included participation during the City Council's Stated meeting. The young people shared with the Council their experiences and challenges in foster care and offered insight about improved supports that could help youth transition out-of-care into adulthood.
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RHF in the News
The Foster Care Excellence Fund recently announced $750,000 in initial grants and technical assistance to Graham Windham, NY Foundling, Good Shepherd Services, Sheltering Arms and the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services to improve kinship foster care in alignment with ACS’ Home Away from Home initiative. Another $750,000 is likely in the second year. To see a list of participating foundations and outcome goals, see here.
Our Family First Act report on initial recommendations for NY was discussed in an interview with the Chronicle for Social Change and our executive director, Sarah Chiles.
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