In honor of Foster Care Month, State Senator Toby Stavisky is encouraging New Yorkers to learn more about the over 23,000 children in the state’s foster care system.
Children from New York City make up more than 60 percent of the 23,202 children in foster care.
“By dedicating the month of May to raising awareness and promoting involvement, together we can continue to make strides to improve the lives of all children,” said Stavisky.
As of the end of 2010, 50 percent of kids in foster care are between ages one and 11 and the average age is 10 years old, according to the Office of Children & Family Services.
The average length of stay was just under two and a half years. One quarter of the children in foster care were living with a relative and half of the children that leave the system are reunited with their parents.
“There is nothing more powerful to a foster child than to be welcomed in one’s home after temporarily, or even permanently, losing everything,” Stavisky said. “Fostering a child is a rewarding experience for everyone involved and I hope, if possible, anyone capable of opening their heart and home will do so.”
A child is placed in foster care either by court order or voluntarily by a parent. If there is evidence that a child has been abused or neglected or the courts deem the child is in need of supervision, the court will order the child removed from the home. If a parent is unable to temporarily care for their child – whether from financial, medical or emotional problems – the parent can sign a voluntary placement agreement. By signing this agreement the parents voluntarily and permanently give up all parental rights and transfers guardianship to an authorized agency.
For more information about foster care and adoption, call 1-800-345-KIDS.
