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

Children’s Mental Health Coalition of WNY, Inc

Services Provided: Parent run organization providing information and support to western New York families of children with behavioral, social, emotional, developmental and learning challenges. Family support services, provided by family members who also have children with behavioral needs and challenges, include: on going education and training; annual conference; and assisting parents and caregivers with service planning and participation in services meetings, and achieving responsiveness from formal service systems. See website for details, online contact form, and county specific support services directory.

Finger Lakes 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.

To find upcoming foster and adoptive parent support group meetings, trainings, and other special events on the Coalition's event calendar cclick here.