New York

CHAMPS NY’s priorities for 2022 include maintaining policies that support and bolster foster families – including relatives – one of which is the Office of the Child Welfare Advocate, which New York does not have, lagging behind 36 other states.

Children experience better outcomes when they are cared for by supportive families. However, too few children in foster care across the state are placed with kin, and New York State struggles to recruit and retain enough families to adequately support the children who come into care.

From our partner, the Redlich Horwitz Foundation, this report includes case studies of three NY counties that are making tremendous strides to strengthen their use of family-based – both relative and non-relative – foster care.

Are you someone with personal experience with New York’s child welfare system? A young person with foster care experience? A relative or foster parent? We invite you to get involved and share your story with us!