Association Of Black Social Workers

OUR ORGANIZATION IS AN AUTHORIZED ADOPTION AGENCY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES. WE FACILITATE THE PLACEMENT OF LEGALLY FREE CHILDREN WITH ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. OUR AGENCY PROVIDES HOME STUDIES FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND WORKS WITH PUBLIC AND VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN TO PLACE WITH OUR APPROVED FAMILIES. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1975 (47 YEARS) AND HAVE ENABLED OVER 4000 CHILDREN TO BE PLACED IN ADOPTIVE HOMES. OUR PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES POST-ADOPTION SERVICES IN THE FORM OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES HOME STUDIES FOR FAMILIES REQUESTING AN INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION OF MINOR RELATIVES. WE EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE AS TO THE PLIGHT OF CHILDREN AND TEENS IN NEED OF PERMANENT FAMILIES AND ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES IN CHILDCARE AGENCY POLICIES AND GOVERNMENTAL LAWS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR MINORITY FAMILIES TO ADOPT. OUR AGENCY WORKS WITH PUBLIC AND VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE INFANT ADOPTION AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE PERMANENT FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN FROM INFANCY TO SEVENTEEN YEARS OF AGE WHICH INCLUDES SIBLING GROUPS AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TRAUMATIC LIFE EXPERIENCES. OUR AGENCY HIRES CONSULTANT SOCIAL WORKERS TO CONDUCT HOME STUDIES, ADOPTION TRAINING AND POST-ADOPTION SERVICES. THEY ARE PAID BY FEES PAID BY THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS. THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (I.E. DIRECTOR, ADOPTION COORDINATOR, BOOKKEEPER) ARE PROFESSIONAL IN-KIND/VOLUNTEERS AND ARE NOT PAID A SALARY. THE AGENCY'S INCOME IS OBTAINED BY FEES PAID BY THE CLIENTS, DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND CONTRACTUAL FEES FROM OUT OF STATE AGENCIES. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE RECEIVED 67 INQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC; AND HELD 6 ADOPTION INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS IN WHICH 25 FAMILIES ATTENDED. TWELVE (12) ADOPTION APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED AND HOME STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED. SIX (6) OF THE FAMILIES STUDIED WERE APPROVED. A THIRTEEN (13) YEAR OLD SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WAS PLACED WITH ONE OF OUR FAMILIES THAT WAS APPROVED IN A PRIOR FISCAL YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION ARE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES. OUR AGENCY TRAINS AN SELECTS FAMILIES WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SUCH CHILDREN.