Albany County Department for Children, Youth & Families

Services Provided: Map Training offered 2 times a year: Normally during Sept.- Nov. and Mar.- May  30 Hour course held for 3 hours once a week for 10 weeks. Two orientation meetings (day and evening sessions) held monthly at the Albany Cty Office Bldg. Walk-ins welcome. Employment information and references required. Referral to area parent support groups.
Contact Person: MIchelle Dowe
Address:112 State St 4th 81, Albany , NY 12207 Phone: 518-447-7563
Email: MichelleDowe@albanycounty.com
Website: www.albanycounty.com

Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth – Albany

Services Provided: Berkshire Farm Center is a state wide agency providing foster homes for children in care.  Prospective foster parents receive comprehensive training and support through out the certification process.  Once certified our homes are supported by an assigned social worker, 24 hour emergency services, financial support to meet the chil(ren)’s needs.  Children range in age and special need requirements.  Aimee is foster care contact for capital region and southern New York State counties.
Contact Person: Aimee Ellsworth
Address: 500 New Karner Road, 3rd Floor, Albany, NY 12205 Phone: 518-456-1969
Email: aellsworth@berkshirefarm.org Website: http://www.berkshirefarm.org

Community Maternity Services

Services Provided: Multi-Service private non profit agency serving 14 counties in Albany Roman Catholic Diocese.  Three adoption programs: Healthy Infant, International, and Special Needs/Waiting Kids.  Also has residential and foster care programs, Call intake services for information on adotion fees and process and becoming a foster parent. see
Contact Person:  Intake Services
Address:  27 N Main Ave, Albany, NY 12203 Phone: 518-482-8836
Website: http://www.cccms.org/

NAFI Therapeutic Foster Care Programming

Services Provided: NAFI NY provides specialized foster care and therapeutic services to youth with mental health and behavioral issues. While a number of these children have developmental disabilities, many are dealing with the consequences of abuse, neglect and other various traumas. The program uses a wraparound approach to services, with the specially trained foster parents acting as the foundation of the youth’s treatment team. Therapists and case managers work side-by-side with the caregivers to support and provide treatment to the child in care. Each child is engaged a part of their own service planning, in line with NAFI’s philosophy that change happens when individuals are given a voice in their treatment.  NAFI NY’s therapeutic foster parents must complete an intense course of specialized training before being approved as potential foster parents to our consumers. The level of care provided and the skills and commitment shown by these families underscores just how valuable they are to the success of our program. NAFI currently has Therapeutic Foster Care homes in the following areas: Albany County, Clinton County, Columbia County, Orange County and Westchester County.  NAFI-NY’s Therapeutic Foster Care Programming is actively seeking professional foster parents, mentors, and volunteers. See website for online application and details of support provided to agency foster parents.

Northern Rivers Family of Services

Services Provided: Northern Rivers Family of Services provides foster, kinship and pre-adoptive homes for children in care. Orientations and foster parent precertification trainings offered virtually and in person at one of the 7 program sites. These site locations are throughout the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, North County and Southern Tier Regions. Each child and family is assigned a skilled Permanency Care Manager to provide case management service in the foster home with the foster parent and youth. Website provides further information and an online foster parent inquiry form.

St. Catherine’s Center for Children

Services Provided: Multi-service agency providing community based and residential services, and therapeutic foster care for children who have emotional and behavioral needs that may be treated in a home setting by specially trained foster parents. Foster Parent Recruiting/Training, 10 week MAPP classes are held in the spring and Fall. Usually on a Tuesday evening from 5:30-8pm. Will provide individual training as needed. Call to schedule an intake appointment. Foster Parents receive on going training, monthly paid respite, and 24 hour emergency services.

Contact Person: Pat Gagnon

Address: 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203 Phone: 518-453-6735

Email: pgagnon@st-cath.org Website: http://www.st-cath.org