Different information is available for New York City residents, please visit the New York City RRT section.
As the AdoptUsKids Recruitment Response Team for New York State (New York City residents have their own team), NYSCCC stands ready to assist you in the process of becoming an adoptive or foster parent. Our goal is to serve as your guide through a sometimes confusing system. We are glad to assist in any way to help you be successful. Please feel free to contact us or any of the people listed on your county’s adoption services contact sheet (see below), with your questions or concerns. We strongly recommend that you take the time to speak with one of our local volunteer parent contacts (information below) and explore the "Becoming an Adoptive Parent" or “Becoming a Foster Parent” sections of the NYSCCC website at www.nysccc.org.
Contact Information
NY State Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Inc. (NYSCCC)
Susan Collins or Jed Ashton
(607) 272-0034
office@nysccc.org
Para información en español, contacte:
Elise Ferree
(607) 272-0034
eferree@nysccc.org
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
Adoptive and foster families vary in age, income, lifestyle, financial and marital status. Some adoptive families are headed by a single, working parent. Some are two-parent families with birth children. Some have children already and some don’t. There is no "typical" adoptive or foster family.
Whether you are single or married, older or younger, renter or homeowner, you may apply to foster and/or adopt a child. You need to be:
- willing to learn about the unique needs of a child;
- patient and loving;
- energetic and giving;
- able to provide a secure environment; and equipped to meet the needs of a growing child.
You do not need to:
- have parenting experience;
- be married;
- own your own home; or
- earn a high income.
The process of adopting, from application to finalization, can be a lengthy one. It may take six months or more from the time you apply before a child is placed in your home. After the child is placed in your home, it will take at least three to twelve months before the adoption is finalized in court.
Additional Adoption Information:
Details and information about each step in the adoption process can be found on the NYS Office of Children and Families (OCFS) website at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt/process.asp
A copy of “How to Adopt a NYS Waiting Child” is available at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/publications/Pub1128.pdf.
All public and most voluntary (private) adoption agencies require prospective adoptive families to be dually certified/approved as foster families. For more information, see foster care licensing information below.
Additional Foster Care Information:
Detailed information on every step of the fostering process is available on the NYS OCFS foster care website at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/fostercare/requirements.asp
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
Public agencies and, generally, private agencies do not charge a fee to foster and/or adopt children who are in the legal custody and guardianship of the public agency/foster care system.
However, some private agencies charge fees for families that wish to adopt a child outside of New York State. The child’s state may reimburse the family for some or all of these fees.
Completing an adoption in court generally requires an attorney and the payment of legal fees and any court costs.
Families adopting New York State children with special needs are eligible for reimbursement of limited nonrecurring adoption-related costs, such as lawyer and agency fees, through New York. Families adopting children from other states with special needs may be eligible for reimbursement of limited, nonrecurring adoption-related costs through the child’s state or federal options.
Parent Support Groups
A Directory of New York State Foster and Adoptive Parent Support and Advocacy Groups is on the NYSCCC website at: www.nysccc.org/state.htm.
Experienced adoptive/foster parent volunteers are available to provide information and support for prospective families throughout NY State. Contact information can be found in NYSCCC’s NYS Adoption Services Directory at: www.nysccc.org/CountyAdoptInfo/adoptsvcsmap.htm.
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Adoption Agency Contact Information:
In New York State, there are more than 130 adoption agencies. Each of New York's 58 social services districts (public agencies) has an adoption unit, and more than 70 authorized voluntary (private) agencies statewide also work with adopting families.
Choosing an agency is a very important step. Talk to different agencies and adoptive parents or adoptive parent support groups to learn how the agencies work with prospective adoptive parents.
A list of all agencies is available on the NYS OCFS web site at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt/agcymenu.asp.
Contact and service information for adoption services in specific NY counties can be found in NYSCCC’s NYS Adoption Services Directory at: www.nysccc.org/CountyAdoptInfo/adoptsvcsmap.htm.
Foster Care Agency Contact Information:
Each of New York's 58 social services districts (public agencies) has its own foster care unit to recruit, certify and supervise local foster boarding homes. In addition, more than 100 New York State child welfare agencies contract with local social services districts to provide therapeutic foster boarding home services. Contact the local social services district for more information about foster care services and agencies in specific NY State counties. See the NYS OCFS website for a list of local Departments of Social Services at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/localdss.asp.
Information on Children
There are 30,420 children in foster care in New York; 9,219 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.
We welcome and thank you for your interest in meeting the needs of children waiting for adoption or needing foster care services.
Upcoming Events
NYSCCC Annual Adoption Training Conference: May 8-10, 2008, Marriott Hotel, Albany, NY. See http://www.nysccc.org/Conferences/confdir.htm for more information.