The document provides information about foster care and adoption programs in Schenectady County, New York. It includes a message from the Commissioner praising the efforts to find permanent homes for children and initiatives to expand these programs. Upcoming events and training dates for prospective foster/adoptive parents are listed. A letter from current foster parents thanks the caseworker for their support and making the certification process a positive experience. The document encourages finding more foster homes, especially for older children and siblings.

1. Schenectady County Office of
Children & Family Services
L a t e S u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 0 9
106 Erie Boulevard
Schenectady, NY 12305
518-388-4456
www.schenectadycounty.com
A Message from Dennis Packard, Commissioner of the
Schenectady County Department of Social Services
Over the past several years, and with During 2009, you will hear about
Inside this the kind help and dedication of more initiatives to bring more
issue: many individuals, the efforts to find families into our programs and
caring families to open their doors to improve the outcomes for our
A Message from 1
The Commissioner children in need has been children.
outstanding. Since 2002,
With all of these things that we have
An Adoptive Teen’s 1 Schenectady County has found
Perpsective done, we can and want to do more.
permanent loving homes for 149
We are looking for new and creative
ParentsPlace 2 children.
ways of achieving our mission of
Caseworkers Tracy Toscano (center) and Debbie
Due to the creative energy of my Van Alstyne (right), appear with host Ann Parillo finding more families and
From the Desk of Lori 2
Pirrone colleagues at DSS, we are now able (left) on the Schenectady Today show on SACC-TV. individuals willing to share the
to share with you a resource page on journey with our children. So I am
Calendar of Events 3 Schenectady County’s website: asking you to look at these pages and
sharing information about becoming
www.SchenectadyCounty.com. Our think about other ideas or strategies
Autumn Training 4 a foster or adoptive parent. Thanks
page is filled with information about that may bring us more families who
Dates Announced to the strong relationship that has
our programs and services and will become resources for these
been forged with Proctors (especially
A Letter from Foster 4 includes photos and stories about children. We are interested in any
CEO Philip Morris), Schenectady
Parents young men and women waiting for a idea, and ask you to contact us with
County was able to host the Capital
permanent home. The “Gift of Love” any of your suggestions.
Region Heart Gallery at Proctors,
campaign, launched in 2008, has
and we received a great response
helped deliver our message, and Thank you for your time, your
from that event. Continuing this
creates real images of what our work thoughts and above all, your
relationship, our message is now
really means. Our homefinding unit willingness to help us find for our
displayed before each movie shown
staff has given tirelessly of children the thing that they deserve
at Proctors (you can see the slide on
themselves and are often found at – a loving home.
page 4 of this newsletter).
events, on television or radio,
An Adopted Teen’s Perspective on Adoption
Adoption has offered me some of kindness that mothers are known teens are overlooked for adoption my hardships and provides me with
the best things in my life. Adoption for, but which they may have been because they are thought to be too useful advice, and a mother who
has given me a new family that I can denied when they were younger. fresh and wild or too hard to handle. cares for me in more ways than I
also call my own. I am very thankful Most importantly, adoption can But adults should look back on their can thank her for. Although the
to the Heart Gallery for helping me supply a teen with the security and own time as teenagers and process of adoption can seem long
connect with my new family. There comfort which are only found in a remember the hardships they had to and tedious at times, and you and
are many other kids in the Heart family. face during those years. Imagine not your child may feel some stress and
Gallery who would also be very glad having a father or mother, and growing pains as you learn to live
Should teens or tweens be denied
to find a new family. Adoption can consider how much harder those together as a family (and my parents
the right to a loving, caring family
give them a father who listens to years would have been without a can attest to this), the gift of
because of their age, or because they
them in a time of need, unlike the parent. adoption grants you the opportunity
are not perceived as "perfect"
father who previously may never to truly make a difference in the life
children? No. Potential adoptive As a teenager who has been part of
have been at home or who may have of a teen, which can enlarge and
parents may choose to raise a baby the Heart Gallery and is now
walked off when they were too enrich your own life, and pay great
because it gives them the adopted, I can tell you that it is a
young to remember. Adoption can dividends of fun and love.
satisfaction of raising that child as tremendous advantage to have a
provide them with a mother who
their own. For this reason, many father who listens to me talk about By Ben Medina McGrath
gives them the tender love and
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2. Resources and Tips for
Foster & Adoptive Parents
you receive a child after hours, you may call the
♦ New York State Adoption Service has a new
Things of My Very Own Administrative Office
feature - a video gallery! To view videos of
(630-6137) until 8pm. All services are free. For
children who need families, go to:
more information, please contact your
www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt/videoAdopt.asp
caseworker or visit www.tomvo.org.
♦ Things of My Very Own: Now when a
♦The Quest for Grace has opened a shop that
child is placed in your foster home, you can
provides many things that a foster child may
ensure that they have everything the need
need. Some of the items are: clothing, (spring,
from the first moment on. Schenectady
summer, and winter - sizes range from infants
County Children & Family Services now
to teenage), pajamas, socks, underwear, jackets,
hosts an on-site transitional aide room,
onesies, bibs, blankets, jackets, books, toys, &
where you can pick up 48 hours worth of
backpacks. Please call Michelle at (518) 301-
free clothing, school supplies, and personal
5662 to set up an appointment to pick up the
care items. The room is located at 106 Erie
items you may need. There is no charge for this
Boulevard in Schenectady; please call your
service.
caseworker to schedule an appointment. If
Our Adoption Quilt
The Heart Gallery at the Great Escape Lodge!
From the Desk of Lori Pirrone, Adoption Supervisor
The Capital Region Heart my child welfare career! with making this happen and
Gallery is a visually stunning Probably one of the things I like for sharing our enthusiasm in
exhibit of portraits that capture the most about participating in finding forever families for our
“A child enters the unique personality and the Heart Gallery is that we all waiting children!
spirit of some of our very celebrate the joy when a child
your life and special children. The children in finds a forever family. It doesn't Future venues will include:
fills a special the Heart Gallery are regional matter if the child is from • Sept 2009-Wilton Mall
place in your children awaiting adoption. Clinton County or Schenectady
• Oct 2009-Parsons Child and
Since its inception in 2005, 78 County we all are excited for
heart. A place Family Center in Albany
children have been a part of the that child.
you never • Nov 2009-Proctors in
Heart Gallery. Of those 78
We are thrilled to have the Schenectady
even knew children, 25 placements and
Heart Gallery at the Great • Dec 2009-Crandall Library in
was empty!" finalizations have occurred, 17 Glens Falls
children have changed their Escape Water Park and Lodge
goal to Independent Living, 7 throughout the month of
We hope to see you at one of
children are currently visiting August! It is very exciting to
our Heart Gallery events!
families, 1 child developed a have it in such a family friendly
visiting resource and 2 children venue during peak season!!" Fondly,
The Great
The staff at the Great Escape
Escape Lodge had unsuccessful placements.
are graciously opening the park Lori
I think I can speak for all of to our Heart Gallery kids on
us who work on the Capital August 25, 2009 from 2-
Region Heart Gallery. We 6pm. This is an opportunity
are very happy with the of a life time for our
success of this recruitment children! We are very
tool. The word is spreading thankful to Becky Valenti,
about the need and it truly Alexa Eaglestone and Peter
has been one of the highlights of Sequeira for assisting us
The Heart Gallery display inside the
Great Escape Lodge
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3. August 2009 August Events
Tuesday Nights in Aug—US Water Ski Show Team
Su Mo Tue We Th Fri Sat performances, behind Jumpin’ Jack’s in Scotia.
6:30pm. FREE.
1 Aug 18—Family Movie Night, Esposito Park, Rotter-
dam. 7pm. FREE. Movie: King Fu Panda.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Aug 20—Music Mobile, Central Park, Schenectady.
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 10am. FREE.
Aug 20—Family Movie Night, Shafer Park, Duanes-
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 burg. 7pm. FREE. Movie: Hotel for Dogs.
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Aug 25—Family Movie Night, Freedom Park, Scotia.
7pm. FREE. Movie: Hotel for Dogs.
30 31
September Events
September 2009 Sep 7—Labor Day holiday. Schenectady County Offices
closed.
Su Mo Tu We Th Fri Sat Sep 11-13—St. George’s Greek Festival, Downtown
1 2 3 4 5 Schenectady. 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday,
12pm-5pm Sunday.
6 8 9 10 11 12 Sep 12—History Fair, Mabee Farm Historic Site, Rot-
terdam Junction. FREE.
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Sep 14—Fall Foster Care Training Session Begin.
Please see back page for more information
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Sep 26—Stockade Walkabout, Stockade Historic Dis-
trict, Schenectady.
27 28 29 30 Sep 27—Celtic Day in the Park, Schenectady Central
Park, noon-7pm. FREE.
October 2009 October Events
Su Mo Tue We Th Fri Sat Oct 12—Columbus Day holiday. Schenectady County
Offices closed.
1 2 3
Oct 17—Farm & Foliage Day, Various Locations. Farm
tours, demos, pumpkin painting, hayrides, more. 11am
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -4pm. FREE. Call 518-388-4355 for details.
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Oct 30—Trick or Treating on Jay Street in Downtown
Schenectady. Please call 518-388-4355 for more de-
tails.
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
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4. Autumn Training Dates Announced
If you’ve ever considered fostering a child, the Foster Home Finding Unit at 388-4541.
now is the time. A child is waiting for you!
The Fall 2009 Training Dates are as follows:
Training sessions for prospective foster/adoptive
Monday September 14
parents begin on September 14. In order to begin Wednesday September 16
“Temporary the home study process, you are required to Tuesday September 22
Care Can Make attend all 11 sessions in the training. Sessions Wednesday September 30
begin promptly at 5:30pm, and end at 8:30pm. Thursday October 8
a Permanent
Training will be held at 106 Erie Boulevard in Wednesday October 14
Difference” Schenectady. Please note: for all evenings, it is Wednesday October 21
Tuesday October 27
necessary that you make arrangements for child
Thursday October 29
care while you are participating in the training
Monday November 2
each week. If you have any questions, please call Wednesday November 4
Say Cheese!
The Heart Gallery is
looking for professional
photographers to
volunteer their services
A Letter
for the Heart Gallery. If
you are a photographer,
from Foster
or know someone who Parents
is, please call Lori at
Recently, Debbie Van Alstyne,
388-4399 to help out!
a caseworker with the Foster
Homefinding Unit, received a
letter from a couple who made
the decision to become foster
parents.
Dear Debbie:
We want to thank you and the
homefinding team for making the
certification process an enjoyable
experience.
Your efforts to ensure our
transition into foster parenting
have been tremendous. We
sincerely appreciate your patience We feel that we had a small Going into the process, we felt
in thoroughly answering our glimpse into the demands of your confident that we were making the
questions. You promptly return job as we listened to the tumultuous right decision to work in
phone calls and emails and you stories the homefinding unit partnership with Schenectady
Edwin, one of our consistently arrive on-time for regularly experiences. These County DSS; you have solidified
Heart Gallery children home visits. In doing so, you have stories make us especially grateful our decision. We are excited to
made us feel that our time is for your diligence; we are work with you and look forward to
valuable and we are important to convinced that it takes a very blessing lives together.
you and the Department of Social special individual to do your job as
Services. well as you do. Thank you, Debbie!
Can You Help Us Find More Foster Parents?
Did You Know? If you are able to help us share informational brochures with prospective foster/adoptive
Tootsie Rolls were parents, or would like to invite our staff to give a presentation to your church or community
the first wrapped group, please call the Foster Home Finding Unit at 518-388-4456 to let us know. Currently,
penny candy in our greatest need is finding homes for older children (teenagers and up to age 21)
America. and sibling groups. Please help us in our search for more quality foster homes for the
children in our community!
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