New Directions Youth and Family Services
Contact Information
4511 Harlem Rd.
Amherst, NY 14226
United States
Online Contact Form
Amherst, NY 14226
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 AM-4 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM-4 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM-4 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM-4 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM-4 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Do you own this business? Claim this listing to add more information.
New Directions provides therapeutic and traditional foster care services for children throughout Western New York. We recruit, screen, train, and certify caring couples and individuals to serve as foster parents for children with special needs and those needing a stable home environment. In doing so, children have the valuable opportunity to live in a community, and develop within a family setting.
Creating a forever home or permanent placement is essential for all youth. For children needing to be adopted, a social worker or case manager actively seeks adoptive resources and assists the adoptive family. For youth whose goal is to return to their birth family, a social worker or case manager facilitates reunification, coordinates services, and liaises among all involved parties.
Foster and adoptive parents are carefully screened and must complete the free MAPP/GPS II certification process. Our families are professional, teaching parents. To meet this standard, each year, they complete 24 hours of specialized training, including behavior management, medical concerns, mental health, grief and loss, assessing youth’s needs, and how to help the youth maintain connections to family and friends.
As a foster parent, you have a uniquely rewarding opportunity to support a child needing nurturing, love, guidance, and compassion. You may also help to reunify a family experiencing a difficult time. For those interested in adopting, fostering to adopt provides a chance to expand your family by giving a child a permanent home. Visit our “Foster With Us” page to learn more about being a foster parent, and download a copy of our Foster Care and Adoption brochure today!
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Specialized / Therapeutic 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
4.0 / 5| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 |
Nov 06, 2022
Barbara Leary of New Directions was a disaster. Avoid at all costs.
May 31, 2022
A very nice place to visit your family members... Better for a shorter travel time versus Randolph, NY. Great Parking for Handicap persons. Rooms are easier for the little one to play in while you visit.... Thanks New Directions.
Aug 10, 2020
Great agency doing great things for the youth of our community
Dec 12, 2018
I go to infinity cousleing here. I love my therapist.
Nov 07, 2018
Absolutely love our Foster agency. Staff is always helpful. Location is great for us. Loved all of our caseworkers. Always willing and helpful with questions and concerns and always responded in a timely fashion. So happy we chose New Directions!