AGAPE Southern Tier-Finger Lakes serves families in Broome, Chemung, Schuyler and Tompkins counties who have adopted a child or those that have become guardians of a relative’s child. By providing supportive services and connecting families to resources such as parent trainings, support groups for both parents and youths, peer mentoring, navigation for cross-system needs, therapeutic services referrals, counseling, or other supports to help families address issues as they arise, the AGAPE program helps post-adoptive and post-guardianship families through the unique challenges they face following an adoption or guardianship.

AGAPE’s services are provided free of charge. It is open for families who have adopted through foster care or private adoption whether domestically or internationally. Services are also available for those caring for a child through G docket guardianship. Whether it’s a simple question, a need for more training or a more challenging problem, we are here to guide you.

Funded by the Regional Permanency Resource Centers initiative of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ (OCFS).

AGAPE Finger Lakes – Southern Tier

Contact Person: Renee Hettich

Email: renee@affcny.org

Address: 950 Danby Road; Suite 318, Ithaca, New York 14850

Phone: 607-272-0034

Broome DDSO – OPWDD

Services Provided: Family Support Services Coordinators are available at each of OPWDD’s regional Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs) to help families access Family Support Services. Family Support Services can help in times of crisis when a family member or loved one becomes ill, or when things get difficult at home for other reasons. Find out more information about these services and supports by calling your local Family Support Services Coordinator. Support services may include: information and referral, family and individual counseling, recreation, after-school programs, support groups, transportation and specialized equipment and home modifications.

  • Contact Person: Jeff Envid
  • Phone: 607-771-7784 Ext. 152
  • Website: www.opwdd.ny.gov

Family STAR

Services Provided:  A program initiative of Adoption STAR providing a full service post adoption support program including clinical counseling, support groups, nationwide post adoption contact correspondence services, and search and reunion services. Associated with  Tapestry Books, a premiere online source for adoption books and resources. See website for more online resources and articles, info about services and upcoming events.

  • Albany 518-391-2515; NYC 917-470-9340; Syracuse 315-703-7511; Binghamton 607-330-2158; Rochester 585-672-5227; Poughkeepsie 845-457-4883
  • Address: 131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY 14228  
  • Phone: 716-639-3030
  • Email: Email contact form on website  
  • Website: http://www.family-star.com,  http://www.tapestrybooks.com

Glove House, Inc.

Services Provided: Child Welfare Services: group and foster homes, transitional independent living, Respite Services. Children’s Mental Health:Community Residence, HI FI, Supportive Case Management and Respite; Juvenile Justice: Non Secure Detention, Evening Support Center. Preventive and School Based Services

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children

Services Provided: Spence-Chapin serves all people connected to adoption. Adoption-competent, trauma & attachment-informed therapy services offered in our Manhattan office and via video chat throughout New York and New Jersey. In-person and virtual groups for kids and teens, adoptive parents, birth parents and adoptees. Live, virtual trainings for adoptive parents about parenting across race, talking about adoption, trauma-informed parenting and more. Affirming support for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, single parents, LGBTQ+ community. Please visit our website to learn more!

The Family Resource Network, Inc

Services Provided: Through our various family support programs and support groups your family could have assistance in a formal or informal service format. We are always available to provide information and local referral as well as our NYS Families Together monthly support group, and our monthly “Teen Scene” group,  available to youth ages 12-20. Other programs include CCSI coordination,  Family Advocacy, OPWDD Family Support Services. Please contact us, check our website or find us on Facebook for more information!

Tri Town Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

Services Provided: Parent group meets every two weeks for support encouragement & education.  President Helen is experienced adoptive parent of children with special needs willing to provide information and support to current and prospective adoptive families.

  • Contact Person: Helen Regenbogen
  • Address: 42 Hawkins Road, Ninevah, NY 13813 
  • Phone: 607-639-4265
  • Email: petsaplenty@yahoo.com