Administration for Children's Services311Search all NYC.gov websites
Press Releases
November 27, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: pressoffice@acs.nyc.gov, (212) 341-0999
The Administration for Children's Services Honors Adoptive Families at National Adoption Month Event
-- Reception at Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work celebrates more than 1,000 children who have been adopted from foster care this year --
Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Ronald E. Richter and Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab celebrated National Adoption Month by honoring families who have adopted children from foster care. The special event was co-hosted by Children's Services and Hunter College, and was sponsored by The Freddie Mac Foundation, a longtime supporter of children and families.
“We are extremely grateful to our foster care and adoptive partners, the Family Court and, most importantly, the dedicated families who have welcomed children into their homes,” said ACS Commissioner Ronald E. Richter. “We encourage all New Yorkers to make a difference in a child’s life by opening their hearts to a young person in foster care.”
"There is nothing more important than adoption and here, at our school of social work in East Harlem, we train professionals to support families of all types and diversities,” said Jennifer J. Raab, President of Hunter College. “It was an honor to welcome these extraordinary adoptive families to our Silberman building where we proudly serve the community and the city as a resource for adoptive and fostering parents.”
Among those honored at the event was Sonia Sprinkle, a dedicated foster mother who has fostered twelve children and adopted two during the past twelve years. This past June, Sonia adopted her sixteen-year-old daughter after fostering the teen for the last two years. Now they will continue to bring joy to each other’s lives as a forever family.
Jacqueline Mackins was also honored for the home she provided to five of her grand nieces and nephews whom she adopted in September. Ms. Mackins made the decision to get involved in the siblings’ lives when it became clear that none of them would be able to return to their parents. She is now the proud mother of five beautiful children who have brought an abundance of happiness and joy into her home.
Several of the evening’s honorees were nominated by one of ACS’ foster care agencies for adopting children from foster care within the past twelve months. The nominating agencies included MercyFirst, Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA), Abbott House, Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, and SCO Family of Services.
There are approximately 13,400 children currently in foster care, a record low. Close to 1,600 of those children are awaiting adoption. So far this year, over 1,000 children have found permanent families through adoption.
“As we celebrate National Adoption Month, we cannot forget the important work that must continue throughout the year,” said Benita Miller, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Family Permanency Services at ACS. “We need everyone’s help to ensure that all children who need a safe loving home, especially harder to place older children, pregnant and parenting teens, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth in foster care, find one.”
Those interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent should call the parent recruitment hotline, (212) 676-WISH (outside of NYC: (877) 676-WISH), to obtain an informational packet. An orientation can be scheduled during the call or upon receipt of the packet.
ACS will host a foster parent informational forum on Thursday, December 20, 2012, 5:00pm-8:00pm at 150 William Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10038. Those interested in attending should call the hotline to register. New Yorkers can also go to www.nyc.gov, search keywords: Foster NYC or visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FamilyConnectionsNYC for more information.