Catholic Charities
Community Maternity Services, an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, is committed to providing a continuum of services for children, families, and pregnant and parenting adolescents. All services are provided regardless of income, age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, or religious belief and are designed to:
- Advance the scriptural values of mercy and justice
- Uphold the principles of social justice and family preservation
- Maintain our commitment to the belief in the inherent sacredness of all human life
- Empower clients to reach their full potential by providing them with resources for accessing health, educational, and social services.
Community Maternity Services is seeking families who are interested in providing a temporary home for children who have been abused or neglected. Our program provides care for infants who are waiting to meet their adoptive parents, children 0-12 whose parents are working to create a safe environment for their child/dren to return to, and pregnant and parenting adolescents who need a safe home environment where they can parent their child with a supportive role model present.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
Raising foster children is a rewarding and life-changing experience. You can make a real difference in a child's life, helping them on a path toward success.
Remember that fostering affects the whole family, so talk to your partner and biological children if you're considering this journey. Learn more about what to expect and ensure it fits your lifestyle. You must be healthy and have enough time and energy to care for a child and meet their needs. This is important for gaining foster parent approval because every child must have this foundation of support.
Each state has requirements for foster parents. In New York, applicants must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Live in a safe and stable environment
- Have enough space for a foster child
- Show financially stability
- Prove that all family members are in good health
- Pass a background check
- Clear a home safety inspection
- Attend required foster parent training
- Complete the Home Study process
- Provide a minimum of three character references
Foster families in New York can rent or own their homes. Adults can become foster parents no matter their marital or divorce status. All adults who are living in the home with foster children must pass the New York required criminal background check. Every adult must complete both state and federal background checks and undergo fingerprinting.
Interested candidates can make the first call to foster services and get the approval and licensing process started. Contact the New York Office of Children and Family Services (NYOCFS) or your local Department of Social Services (DSS). The first step after expressing interest will be to attend a foster orientation. Potential foster parents can learn about the approval process at the event and get questions answered by a foster child advocate.
The foster parent training requirement begins with pre-service training. After getting licensed, foster parents must participate in ongoing training and educational programs.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
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Aug 05, 2023
Good services for the homeless
Dec 05, 2022
This place gives the runarounds Kathy Krom Theresa Lux Susan Pulver and Mrs Vogel are related to members in all 3 counties Greene Columbia and Albany and treat disabled people horrible. They hang up phones never return emails lie and undermine their way to the top. They degrade and deprive still waiting to receive feedback
May 11, 2022
Great
Aug 29, 2021
Someone else is going to My appointment illegally and I can 🥫 it
Apr 09, 2021
I have used through United way for tax services.