Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption
New Directions Foster Care keeps children safe in certified foster homes while their family navigates various challenges. Our primary goal is always to return children to their families. However, in cases when that is no longer an option, we look for permanent adoptive homes for the children with the hope that they will maintain some level of connection to their family.
We focus on helping to reunify families and help children achieve permanency. We provide homes for children referred to us through all county Departments of Social Services and Family Courts in Western New York, from birth to 21 years of age. Within New Directions’ Foster Care Program, all people are accepted and treated equally with respect and compassion.
Interested in becoming a foster parent yourself?
As a foster parent, you have a uniquely rewarding opportunity to support a child in need of nurturing, love, guidance, and compassion. You may also help to reunify a family experiencing challenging times.
For those interested in adopting, fostering to adopt provides a chance to expand your family by giving a child a permanent home.
Visit our “Foster With Us” page to find out more about being a foster parent and download a copy of our Foster Care and Adoption brochure today!
For more information, including opportunities to become a foster parent, contact one of our regional offices.
Contact Information for Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption:
Erie and Niagara Counties:
Melissa Bonello
Family Resource Manager
Phone: 716-535-1789
Fax: 716-358-3676
Email: mbonello@ndyfs.org
Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties:
Missy Martin
Family Finder
Phone: 716-358-3636 ext. 5232
Fax: 716-358-3676
Email: mmartin@ndyfs.org
Erie and Niagara Counties:
Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties:
Melissa Bonello
Family Resource Manager
Phone: 716-535-1789
Fax: 716-358-3676
Email: mbonello@ndyfs.org