Panel Discussion on the Increasing Role Foster Parents Play Caring for Children with Emotional and Mental Health Issues

The Center for New York City Affairs Presents:
“HOMES AWAY FROM HOME: THE CHANGING FACE OF FOSTER CARE”

Featuring the Head of NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services,
Foster Care Agency Leaders, Parents and Teens

WHAT:

The Center for New York City Affairs will host a panel of policy makers, practitioners, parents and foster teens to discuss the changing demands placed on foster parents. New York City’s foster care system has made headway in finding family homes for young people—especially younger teens—who once would have lived in group homes and residential treatment centers. However, city officials and nonprofit leaders face tremendous challenges in creating effective support systems, crisis teams and training programs that can help foster parents care for these children.

The Center for New York City Affairs and the Center for an Urban Future recently issued a Child Welfare Watch report documenting the challenges the city faces as it increases its reliance on foster families to care for children with emotional and mental health issues. They found that foster parents struggle to access needed mental health services for children in their care and are not adequately trained to help young mothers care for their own children. The report also found a sharp decline in the percentage of children placed in foster boarding homes in their own neighborhoods.

WHO:

Panelists:
John Mattingly, Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services
Anstiss Agnew, Executive Director of Forestdale, Inc., a Queens-based foster care agency
Lourdes Álvarez, Anchor Foster Parent (foster parent and support group leader), Circle of Support
Pauline Gordon, teen in foster care and reporter, Represent!
Stephen McCall, foster parent, consultant and advocate

Moderator:
Andrew White, Director, Center for New York City Affairs, Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy

WHEN:

September 16, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:

Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 W. 13th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY

RSVP:

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP at 212.229.5418 or centernyc@newschool.edu.

THE CENTER FOR NEW YORK CITY AFFAIRS AT THE NEW SCHOOL is a nonpartisan institute dedicated to advancing innovative public policies that strengthen neighborhoods, support families and reduce urban poverty. This event is supported by the Child Welfare Fund, the Ira W. DeCamp Foundation, the Viola W. Bernard Foundation, the Sirus Fund and the Milano Foundation. For more information, visit www.centernyc.org.