How the Coalition Helps Families

Ellen* was one of the foster parents awarded a scholarship to the Coalition’s New York Foster Care and Adoption Conference this year.

At the urging of the Western New York Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Ellen planned to attend the conference for the first time. Prior to attending, she had been caring for Eric*, who displayed several challenging behaviors. During the conference, Ellen admitted that she was at the end of her rope. She was seriously ready to call her foster care agency and demand they remove Eric from her home. Ellen felt she had no choice. The response of support and understanding from other foster parents was immediate.  

This support, along with the training and information she received at the conference, inspired Ellen to not give up on Eric. Instead, she was fiercely empowered to be a strong advocate for Eric. She realized that she needed to provide him with the home and family he so desperately needed.  

Because of the support and training Ellen received at the conference, Eric did not face another potentially harmful move and has a chance at permanent home with Ellen. 


The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York provides support, information and advocacy for foster, kinship and adoptive families and related professionals in New York State. Founded in the 1960s and incorporated in 1975, we provide services to help support families and their children. We educate the public, legislators and government leaders about the needs and realities of foster, kinship and adoptive families. Finally, we collaborate with child welfare agencies and other groups to ensure that families are best able to support and parent the children in their homes.

*All stories are based on true events, names and personal details have been changed to protect identity.