AFFCNY – Support, Information and Advocacy for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families

Add or Update Service Directory Listing

Find Adoptive or Foster Parent Support Groups

Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Program for Everyone

AGAPE – Southern Tier-Finger Lakes

Sign Up and Register for Coalition Events

Circle of Trauma; Capital Region

Free Family Fun Day: Hudson Valley Bowling

Express Yourself; After School Program for Youth Adoptees; Ithaca

Reframing Parenting Training; Chemung Spring Series

Support the Conference! Sponsorship Opportunities!

Statewide Post Adoption Support: A Vision Realized

November is National Adoption Awareness Month; #Just Listen

Casting for Foster Care Documentary Training Film; Ithaca

The Coalition Opposing the Aderholt Amendment

What’s Going on Around the State:

Featured

Express Yourself; After School for Youth Adoptees

March 28, 2019

Lehman Alternative Community School
402 Chestnut St, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-0034 Supportive Events

A place for adoptees to connect through various forms of expression
such as movement, music and art.

In collaboration with Lehman Alternative Community School, the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York presents Express Yourself, an after school project for adoptees.

We will cover a wide range of creative activities including but not limited to
drawing, painting, weaving, dancing, music and just all around fun stuff.
Led by:

Sarah Gotowka, a Korean adoptee and textile-based artist.

Mac Morris, an African American adoptee movement-based artist from Brooklyn.

Register Now!

Questions? Contact Sarah at sarah@affcny.org or 607-272-0034

SIX Thursdays starting 2/21 from 3:25 to 4:25 PM at ...

Sarah Gotowka, a Korean adoptee and textile-based artist.

Mac Morris, an African American adoptee movement-based artist from Brooklyn.

Register Now!

Questions? Contact Sarah at sarah@affcny.org or 607-272-0034

SIX Thursdays starting 2/21 from 3:25 to 4:25 PM at the Lehman Alternative Community School, Room #U1 located at 402 Chestnut Street, Ithaca.

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Please confirm the county you live in:*
Email*
Phone*
I am a:*
- Kinship Care Giver
- Foster Parent
- Adoptive Parent
- Adoptee
- Foster Care Alumni
- Kinship Care Alumni
- Birth Parent
- Child Welfare Professional
- other
Check all that apply.
Please tell us about the teen that will be attending.
Please provide the name and age of each teen below:*
Please tell us about any special medical needs, developmental or behavior needs.*
Do/does the teen have any allergies or special dietary needs that we should know about?*
Attestation for AGAPE Services
I attest that my family was formed by adoption or guardianship via a court order. I understand that the services provided by AGAPE are for adoptive and guardianship families. By indicating here, I understand that I may be asked by AFFCNY to provide proof of adoption or guardianship and certify that I will provide this documentation upon request.
Electronic signature certificating attestation:*
Family formed by:*
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Both

iCal

Featured

Express Yourself! Teen Art Group; Kingston

April 3, 2019

845 679 9900 Family Information and Resources / Parent Education and Training / Parent Support Groups / Supportive Events http://

For all Adoptive Parents, Relative Caregivers and Foster Parents

Teen Art Group and Support Group for Parents of Teens

For Adoptees, Youth Raised by Relatives and those in Foster Care - and their Parents

Support groups can be a great place to speak with others that are going through the same frustrations and stress you are going through. Parenting children of loss and trauma is distinctly different than raising children from birth. It is comforting to know you are not alone in this journey.

Teens come together, create and connect!

Caregivers come together with other parents in a safe, no-judgment space facilitated by an adoptive parent to share and connect.

FREE! All are welcome.

Questions? Call us at 845-679-9900

Register Now!

2019 Dates: First Wednesdays of the Month: 1/9, 2/13, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5, 7/3, 8/7, 9/4, 10/2, 11/6 and 12/4 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Parents meet at: Darmstadt Shelter, 40 Thomas Street, Kingston

Teens meet at: 17 Railroad Avenue, Studio 206, Kingston

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Please confirm the county you live in:*
Email*
Phone*
I am a:*
- Kinship Care Giver
- Foster Parent
- Adoptive Parent
- Adoptee
- Foster Care Alumni
- Kinship Care Alumni
- Birth Parent
- Child Welfare Professional
- other
Check all that apply.
Please tell us about the teen/teens that will be attending with you.
Please provide the name and age of each child below:*
Please tell us about any special medical needs, developmental or behavior needs for any of the children.*
Do/does the child/ren have any allergies or special dietary needs that we should know about?*
Attestation for AGAPE Services
I attest that my family was formed by adoption or guardianship via a court order. I understand that the services provided by AGAPE are for adoptive and guardianship families. By indicating here, I understand that I may be asked by AFFCNY to provide proof of adoption or guardianship and certify that I will provide this documentation upon request.
Electronic signature certificating attestation:*
Family formed by:*
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Both

iCal

Featured

Parents of Adopted Teens and Adopted Teens Support Group; Ithaca

April 3, 2019

Beverly J. Martin Elementary School
302 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607.272.0034 Parent Support Groups / Supportive Events

Come hang with other adoptive parents, share food, laughter and experiences while your adopted teens have their own space!

Oooof... We know what you're going through!

Teen years are tough, and our adopted teens add a multi-layered complexity that makes things even tougher. These are the years where they begin defining themselves, and at times without your supervision. Scary, we know, but they never stop being your children and deserving of our attention!

Please join us at this monthly gathering for parents of teenage adoptees, where you can find other adoptive parents with teens and offer support, discuss experiences, and share current information relevant to adoption, trauma and families.

Your teens are invited to come.

While parents gather, there will be a separate meeting for teens facilitated by adult adoptees. A range of fun artistic activities will ...

Come hang with other adoptive parents, share food, laughter and experiences while your adopted teens have their own space!

Oooof... We know what you're going through!

Teen years are tough, and our adopted teens add a multi-layered complexity that makes things even tougher. These are the years where they begin defining themselves, and at times without your supervision. Scary, we know, but they never stop being your children and deserving of our attention!

Please join us at this monthly gathering for parents of teenage adoptees, where you can find other adoptive parents with teens and offer support, discuss experiences, and share current information relevant to adoption, trauma and families.

Your teens are invited to come.

While parents gather, there will be a separate meeting for teens facilitated by adult adoptees. A range of fun artistic activities will be introduced to the teens at each session which include art-making, dance, and more! Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Come share and learn with us!

Register Now!

2019 meetings scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on 1/16 (rescheduled from 1/9 snow date), 2/6, 3/6, 4/13, 5/1, 6/5, 9/11, 10/2, 11/6, and 12/4 from at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, 302 West Buffalo Street in Ithaca.

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Please confirm the county you live in:*
Email*
Phone*
I am a:*
- Kinship Care Giver
- Foster Parent
- Adoptive Parent
- Adoptee
- Foster Care Alumni
- Kinship Care Alumni
- Birth Parent
- Child Welfare Professional
- other
Check all that apply.
If you plan to bring something to share, can you let us know what?
Will you be bringing your teen?*
- yes
- no
- maybe
Please tell us about the children that will be attending with you.
Please provide the name and age of each child below:*
Please tell us about any special medical needs, developmental or behavior needs for any of the children.*
Do/does the child/ren have any allergies or special dietary needs that we should know about?*
Attestation for AGAPE Services
I attest that my family was formed by adoption or guardianship via a court order. I understand that the services provided by AGAPE are for adoptive and guardianship families. By indicating here, I understand that I may be asked by AFFCNY to provide proof of adoption or guardianship and certify that I will provide this documentation upon request.
Electronic signature certificating attestation:*
Family formed by:*
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Both

iCal

Featured

2019 Empowered to Connect Simulcast!

April 5, 2019 to April 6, 2019All Day

Varied Locations
check links for details 631-598-1983 Adoption and Foster Care Conferences / Family Information and Resources / Parent Education and Training / Supportive Events http://empoweredtoconnect.org/

Coalition Hosted LIVE Simulcast Locations

Come experience practical teaching in a safe and supportive community as we work to equip families and professionals to better serve children impacted by adoption, foster care, trauma and loss.

Coalition Hosted LIVE Simulcast Locations

Come experience practical teaching in a safe and supportive community as we work to equip families and professionals to better serve children impacted by adoption, foster care, trauma and loss.

The Empower to Connect Conference 2019 Live Event takes place in Forth Worth Texas on April 5th and 6th. The entire conference is simulcast LIVE to other host locations across the country. The conference runs from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, though there are slight variations in time based on the event’s time zone; in the Eastern time zones will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s conference will feature a revised program and new material for those who have attended in multiple years.

The Conference is based off of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) methods developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis, author of “The Connected Child”.

"The Connected Child is the literary equivalent of an airline oxygen mask and instructions: place the mask over your own face first, then over the nose of your child. This book first assists the parent, saying, in effect, 'Calm down, you're not the first mom or dad in the world to face this hurdle, breathe deeply, then follow these simple steps.' The sense of not facing these issues alone -- the relief that your child's behavior is not off the charts -- is hugely comforting. Other children have behaved this way; other parents have responded thusly; welcome to the community of therapeutic and joyful adoptive families."

As this conference helps bring vital attachment and connection to our families, the Coalition hosts various locations and makes sure that is event is free! We hope to see you there.

Empowered to Connect New York Locations:

The following simulcast locations are not Coalition hosted. These locations require registration and payment. Please click through or email to register.

BROOME COUNTY*: First Baptist Church of Whitney Point located at 2938 US Hwy 11 in Whitney Point Click here to register for Whitney Point | $30

STEUBEN COUNTY*: Grace Community Church located at 580 West Water Street in Painted Post. Click here to register for Painted Post | $5

ERIE COUNTY: Watermark Wesleyan located at the Hub 4999 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg. Click here to register for Hamburg | $20

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY: Victory Tabernacle located at 245 South Main Street in Cattaraugus. Click here to register for Cattaraugus | $20

ALLEGANY COUNTY: Fillmore Wesleyan Church located at 20 East Main Street in Fillmore. Click here to register for Fillmore | $20

BROOKLYN: Resurrection Brooklyn Central Space located at 367 Jay Street in Brooklyn. Click here to register for Brooklyn | $30

MONROE COUNTY: Hillside Family of Agencies located at 1 Mustard Street in Rochester. Email kkelley@hillside.com for registration information.

OSWEGO COUNTY: Oswego Alliance Church located at 370 Thompson Road in Oswego. Email sarah.melita87@gmail.com for registration information.

LEWIS COUNTY: New Day Community Church located at 5573 Water Street in Lowville. Email rkfreed7@gmail.com for registration information.

* indicates that members of the Coalition team will be on site for the conference

Free Coalition Sponsored Locations:

Please use the form below to register for any of the three free Coalition sponsored event locations:

LONG ISLAND: CenterPoint Church - Bay Shore Campus located at 68 Redington Street in Bay Shore.

ULSTER COUNTY: The Adoptive and Foster Family of New York Coalition offices located at 108 Main Street in New Paltz.

ROCKLAND COUNTY: All Souls Community Church located at 81 Washington Avenue in Suffern.

Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Please confirm the county you live in:*
Email*
Phone*
Please choose the location you are registering for:*
- LONG ISLAND: CenterPoint Church - Bay Shore Campus located at 68 Redington Street in Bay Shore.
- ROCKLAND COUNTY: All Souls Community Church located at 81 Washington Avenue in Suffern.
- NEW PALTZ: Coalition offices located at 108 Main Street in New Paltz
I am a:*
Check all that apply.
- Kinship Care Giver
- Foster Parent
- Adoptive Parent
- Adoptee
- Foster Care Alumni
- Kinship Care Alumni
- Birth Parent
- Child Welfare Professional
- other
Attestation for AGAPE Services
I attest that my family was formed by adoption or guardianship via a court order. I understand that the services provided by AGAPE are for adoptive and guardianship families. By indicating here, I understand that I may be asked by AFFCNY to provide proof of adoption or guardianship and certify that I will provide this documentation upon request.
Electronic signature certificating attestation:*
Family formed by:*
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Both

Empowered to Connect 2019 Presenters

Daren Jones, Training Specialist: Daren Jones is a Training Specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. He began his career as a behavior instructor at a therapeutic day treatment program serving children and youth who could no longer function in a traditional academic school setting. After serving as a behavior instructor, Daren decided to obtain a Master of Social Work from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. Daren also obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has spent the past 13 years serving youth and families within residential and foster care settings as a direct-care worker, residential-group home supervisor, and Licensed Child Care Administrator. Daren is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education at TCU in Fort Worth, where he resides with his wife and two children.

Dan and Terri Coley: Dan and Terri Coley are Show Hope founding board members who live in Franklin, Tenn. Dan also serves on staff at Show Hope as the senior director of programs. Terri serves on staff in Pre+Post Adoption Support. They have served as foster parents for more than 40 infants and birthmothers and have adopted children domestically and internationally. Their family is multi-racial and includes children with special needs. It is their hearts’ desire for every child to have a family. Through personal experience, they have come to know the importance of understanding the challenges and needs of children from “hard places.” Dan and Terri are committed to helping educate and prepare families for the adoption journey and empowering them with the tools to help children heal while maintaining healthy families. The Coleys have nine children and 10 grandchildren.

Amanda Purvis: Amanda Purvis is a Training Specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KP ICD) at TCU. Amanda earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO. She began her career working in Child Protective Services as an intake worker. She then transitioned to foster care and post-adoption support, where she spent a decade of her career before beginning her work with the Purvis Institute in December 2017. Amanda lives in Castle Rock, Colorado, with her husband and five children, and their dog, Scout.

Sarah Mercado: Sarah Mercado earned her bachelor’s degree from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She began her career as a direct-care staff working with adolescent boys living in a residential treatment center (RTC). After serving in the RTC for several years, she shifted her focus to foster care, where she was regional director for a foster and adoption agency. Sarah spent 20 years serving youth and families within residential and foster care settings as a direct-care worker and trainer before beginning her work as a training specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU in May 2016. Sarah and her family live near Austin, Texas.

Marti Smith, OTR/L: Marti is an Occupational Therapist in Austin, Texas. She is a fellow with Child Trauma Academy and a TBRI Practitioner. She carries extra certification in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Massage Therapy, CiSM, Therapeutic Listening, and Interactive Metronome. She is a co-founder of Simple Sparrow Farm where she helps people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to Learn, Grow, and Heal. She began her career studying Autism in the public schools until a friend encouraged her to focus on children from hard places who could also benefit from similar sensory focused interventions. She is currently raising her children and providing trainings all over the world to help caregivers understand the why behind the action and how to best support the child and help them reach their full potential. Her Trauma Tips podcast series can be found at www.creativetherapies.com.

Mark and Tona Ottinger: As part of the Empowered to Connect team for over 11 years, Mark and Tona are committed to empowering parents, professionals, non-profits, churches, and communities on how to create safe, attachment-rich spaces for children and families to thrive. In 2016 they co-founded the Memphis Family Connection Center (MFCC). MFCC is a non-profit that provides holistic attachment-centered counseling, occupational therapy, speech therapy, parent mentoring, and integrated services to the family as a whole. Mark is a campus pastor at Fellowship Memphis Church and serves as Executive Director of MFCC. Tona is the Director of Community Based Programs at MFCC as well as Director of Empowered to Connect. They are passionate about the gospel, restoration, justice, and empowering parents and children to live deep, connected lives with one another and the Lord. Mark and Tona have been married 22 years and have six children.

Cindy R. Lee: Cindy Lee, LCSW, LADC, specializes in providing counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults. Cindy is a TBRI Practitioner, and serves as a mentor for other practitioners. Cindy also co-founded the HALO Project and currently works as the executive director. HALO is a 10-week intensive intervention program based on the principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), for children in foster care and children who have been adopted. In collaboration with Dr. Karyn Purvis & Dr. David Cross, Cindy has published a series of children’s books based upon the valuable lessons of TBRI, which are available through Amazon. Cindy resides with her family in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Other simulcast locations can be found here!

iCal

2019 Annual Conference

About Adoption Subsidies

About Foster Care Rates

Add or Update Service Directory Listing

Parent Support Groups

Become a Foster Parent

Finding Help

Foster Parent Rights

Adoption

Who We Are

Express Yourself; After School for Youth Adoptees

Register Now!

Register Now!

Please tell us about the teen that will be attending.

Attestation for AGAPE Services

Express Yourself! Teen Art Group; Kingston

Teen Art Group and Support Group for Parents of Teens

Register Now!

Please tell us about the teen/teens that will be attending with you.

Attestation for AGAPE Services

Parents of Adopted Teens and Adopted Teens Support Group; Ithaca

Your teens are invited to come.

Your teens are invited to come.

Register Now!

Please tell us about the children that will be attending with you.

Attestation for AGAPE Services

2019 Empowered to Connect Simulcast!

Coalition Hosted LIVE Simulcast Locations

Coalition Hosted LIVE Simulcast Locations

Empowered to Connect New York Locations:

Free Coalition Sponsored Locations:

Attestation for AGAPE Services

Empowered to Connect 2019 Presenters