Foster With Us
At New Directions, foster families may take many forms. They can be couples, those who identify in ways most comfortable to themselves, single people, or family members of the child being referred to the program. When family members of the child being referred become that child’s foster family, it is referred to as Kinship Care.
Why Foster With Us?
New Directions skillfully supports your foster/kinship family as you provide continuity of care, helping children to achieve developmental milestones, while preserving/restoring relationships. Foster/kinship families respect a child’s family, circumstances, and commit to upholding a child’s cultural traditions. Foster/kinship care can be a difficult road; successful foster/kinship families are open to sharing challenges, accepting feedback, and working together to meet a child’s needs.
New Directions also trains potential foster families in a state approved curriculum for fostering. Each year, families are required to continue this training, ensuring that the foster families certified through our program are up-to-date on the latest care practices.
Foster families with New Directions are also expected to complete or provide:
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Home inspection for approval using state regulations for foster care or kin care,
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Annual re-inspections
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Background checks
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Up-to-date physical exams
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References
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Employment information or other financial support received
Contact Information for Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption Services:
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
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