Winter 2010 Training Dates Announced

If you’ve ever considered fostering a child, Informational & Training Session

now is the time. A child is waiting for you! Dates are as follows:
We hope you will join us for an Informational Session Informational: Thursday, December 17 W i n t e r 2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0
for Prospective foster/adoptive Parents on
Training Sessions:
Thursday, December 17 at 5:30pm, at 106 Erie
Boulevard in Schenectady. At this session you Tuesday January 5 There is No Time Like The Present
“Temporary will learn about the training process, and about foster Thursday, January 7 A Message from Dennis Packard, Commissioner of the
care and adoption in general. The training Wednesday January 13 Schenectady County Department of Social Services
Care Can Make sessions begin on January 5. In order to begin Wednesday January 20
Schenectady County Office of
Children & Family Services
a Permanent the home study process, you are required to attend all Monday January 25 106 Erie Boulevard
There is an old expression I child, if you took that next step,
11 sessions in the training. Sessions begin promptly Wednesday January 27 Schenectady, NY 12305
remember my father saying to me, right now.
Difference” usually when I tried to resist doing
at 5:30pm, and end at 8:30pm. Training sessions Wednesday February 3 518-388-4456 So many of us put off acting on our
will be held at 106 Erie Boulevard in Schenectady. my homework: “There is no time dreams, leaving us with regrets.
Tuesday February 9 www.schenectadycounty.com
Please note: for all evenings, it is necessary that like the present”. At the end, we say to ourselves, “If
Thursday February 11
you make arrangements for child care while you are Monday February 22 As I reflect on all of our current only I had done it then...” or “I
participating in the training each week. If you have Wednesday February 24 strategies to increase the number wish I had done it when I had the
any questions, please call the Foster Home Finding Inside this of foster/adoptive families serving chance”. Well, as my father said,
Unit at 388-4541. issue: children in Schenectady County, I there is no time like the present.
have come to realize that the most Your chance to act (your chance
Say Cheese! A Message from 1 Chisann Kohlhepp and her son Anthony
important message that we need to to give a child a loving home) is
The Heart Gallery is From Foster Care to Independence The Commissioner
convey is the sense of urgency we
Kohlhepp (age 20), who was adopted this year
not lost, it is here— right now.
looking for professional A Letter from Judge 1 face in recruiting new foster called our recruitment number - Please pick up that brochure
My name is Aamir Smith and I am employed at Six Flags Great Escape hard upbringing, the best attitude to Powers but ultimately decided (for one
photographers to families. The need for families has again, please make that call, and
currently a Junior and as a "Thriller" Michael Jackson take is the drive for a better Adoption Day reason or another) that being a
volunteer their services 2 never been greater, and neither don’t put off until tomorrow what
Advertisement/Art Direction major tribute artist and choreographer at tomorrow. With life, there are some Celebration foster/adoptive parent wasn’t
for the Heart Gallery. If at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn NY. I age 16. things you can't change, but be fully
has our agency’s challenge to bring you can do today.
From the Desk of Lori more families into the fold. My something you could do right
you are a photographer, have been in-and-out of foster aware of the things you can, such 2 The children who need you are
I am currently employed as a youth Pirrone staff and I have come to the now.
or know someone who care since I was three years old. I am as your outlook on yourself and waiting, and their tomorrow can
mentor for America Reads/Counts
21 now, and just recently aged out of others, your decisions on which Calendar of Events 3 conclusion that we all - including First, let me offer my thanks to be a home - your home - with a
is, please call Lori at program and choreographing
care. I started out within friends to choose to be around and prospective foster and adoptive you for caring enough to stop - loving family. They need you,
388-4399 to help out! children from ages 6-18 for the much
Winter 2010 Training
the Residential Homes in Northeast more importantly, you can control 4 families - must move forward even for a moment - to find out
anticipated “Wizard of Oz Meets The right now. All you need to do is
at age 13 and progressed to your doubts and fears about what Dates Announced right now! what becoming a foster/adoptive
Wiz” production for Pratt Institute take that next step, and join a
the Mynders Grouphome from 14- you believe you can and can't achieve From Foster Care to parent is all about. Believe it or
and will be starring as the 4 Keeping that sense of urgency in team of caring people who are
17 then to the S.I.L.P Independent in this lifetime. Never limit yourself Independence - A not, that moment is a very
Scarecrow. Since College, I have mind, I am addressing this letter eager to train more partners in our
Living program till I graduated from and believe in your heart that you Personal Story
traveled across the world from L.A to all of you in our community important first step. But, right critical mission to save children.
Schenectady High School in 2007. are important and you are special.
to Jamaica and even Venice Italy,
who have stopped at one of our now, I’m asking you to take
Love yourself enough to truly know I sincerely wish you all a happy,
NYC has given me many where I lived for two months another moment and think again
that you are capable of achieving booths, picked up a flyer or healthy holiday season and a
opportunities to continue my through Pratt Institute studying art about what it would mean to a
anything that you put your mind and brochure, visited our web site, or
passion for art, dance and helping history. Northeast Parent and peaceful new year.
heart to, as long as it is positive and
today's youth. Northeast welcomed Child Society has aided
you stay positive no matter what. I
me at age 14 to become apart of Y.I.P
(Youth in Progress) where I traveled
me greatly and allowed me to
comfortably maintain my pursuits as
believe in ALL foster care youth The Rewards of Fostering a Child’s Development
across the world and feel that all of
across the U.S and had the privilege both a student and active member of
us can learn from one another and The textbook definition of a For instance, they offer a rich and the benefits of being a foster
to meet so many other youth that society. I am highly appreciative of
help end the cycle of another foster parent is one who offers a family life experience essential to parent are vast. As a foster
shared similar childhoods as my all of their efforts with other youth
homeless, fatherless or motherless temporary home to a child. In promote a child's health, growth, parent, you will become a part of
own. During that time I was also in my position.
child innocently born into this world, reality, a foster parent and long-term development. a large and well-established
employed at Planned Parenthood as
As Good perpetuates Good, a little We can all end this through
a Peer Educator, informing my peers provides more than Foster parents also assist the support network. I encourage
bit of positive thinking can go a long understanding, love, care and
of healthy relationships, teen just a home - he or she child in receiving counseling, you to take advantage of the
way. I realized that, throughout my dedication.
pregnancy and anatomy and became offers emotional support, mental health, and educational opportunity to make a difference
guidance, and love to a services. In so doing, they in a child's life and contact your
Did You Know? child who is consumed with become a role model for the county's Department of Social
Can You Help Us Find More Foster Parents? fear, confusion, and a sense child, providing him or her with Services to learn more about
"Mele Kalikimaka"
If you are able to help us share informational brochures with prospective foster/adoptive parents, or of powerlessness after being the emotional stability required becoming a foster or adoptive
is the way to wish
would like to invite our staff to give a presentation to your church or community group, please call removed from the only to develop into a trusted member parent.
someone a Merry family they have ever of our society. With more than
the Foster Home Finding Unit at 518-388-4456 to let us know. Currently, our greatest need is -Hon. Mark L. Powers, Acting
Christmas in known. Foster parents bestow 25,000 children in the foster care
Hawai’ian! finding homes for older children (teenagers and up to age 21) and sibling groups. Supreme Court Justice & Judge
immeasurable benefits upon their system, there is a dire need for
Please help us in our search for more quality foster homes for the children in our community! of the Family Court, Schenectady
foster child. foster parents in New York State County

4 1
 Adoption Day Celebration 2009
On November 18 staff, parents and friends gathered outside
the Schenectady County Office Building in Schenectady for December Events
the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to celebrate National December 2009
Adoption month. And this year, we have a lot for which we Dec 3: Magic & Melodies Celebration. 4-9pm, Down-
are thankful - 11 children have left the foster care Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat town Schenectady. Music, crafts, kids activities. FREE.
system and entered adoptive families, and seven more
1 2 3 4 5 Dec 5: Greater Glenville Family YMCA's Breakfast with
children are awaiting an adoption finalization date. Santa. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast! Arts &
We are thankful for the adoptive families that come crafts, games and photos with Santa. $5.00 per family.
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
forward to help our children, and we encourage all 127 Droms Road, Glenville.
families - both parents and children - to talk about
Dec 5: YWCA of Schenectady Breakfast with Santa.
their experience with the adoption process to help us 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Two seatings: 8:30am and 9:30am. Call 374-3394 x101.
raise awareness about the need for permanent, loving,
forever families for our waiting children. We are Dec 5: Sinterklaas (aka St. Nicholas) will pay a visit to
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Upper Union Street (11am-12pm). Crafts for kids start-
Relative Adoptive parent thankful for everyone who plays a part, large or small, in
Jasmine Santiago (second finding permanent homes for our youth. ing at 10am, a bell choir and caroling. FREE.
from left) lights our 27 28 29 30 31 Dec 11: Hanukkah begins at sundown.
Adoption Tree with her
daughters (l-r) Krystal Dec 11: Santa’s Playland for Foster Families; 5-8pm.
McFarline, Kristy FREE. Call 388-4456 for more details.
McFarline, and Kiara
McFarline
Photos above, clockwise from top: Judge Eli Taub,
DSS Commissioner Dennis Packard, Judge Mark Powers, January 2010 Dec 17: Foster/Adoptive Care Informational Session.
Deputy Director of Children’s Services Aurelia Colamarino 5:30pm. Please see page 4 for details.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Photo at left: Our amazing adoption caseworkers, l-r: Dec 24-25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Holidays.
Lorena Robinson, Michelle Cappelletti, Lori Pirrone, Beth 1 2 Schenectady County Offices closed.
The 2009 Adoption Tree Kent, and Patricia Moskowitz

3 4 5 6 7 8 9
The Heart Gallery Update January Events
From the Desk of Lori Pirrone, Adoption Supervisor 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Jan 1: New Year’s Day holiday. Schenectady County
Offices closed.
The Capital Region Heart December 2. I encourage everyone information about the adoption 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Gallery is a visually stunning to take a small break from your process, and the need for Jan 5: Foster/Adoptive Care Training Sessions Begin.
exhibit of portraits that holiday shopping to take a look at permanent, loving adoptive families Please see page 4 for details.
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
capture the unique personality our amazing gallery! for our waiting children. The Heart
and spirit of some of our very Once again, Liberty Ridge Farm in Gallery will be on display at the Jan 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Schenectady
special children. The children train stations until January 2010. I 31 County Offices closed.
Schaghticoke welcomed the Heart
in the gallery are regional Gallery youth to their farm on encourage you to visit either (or
children awaiting adoption. October 29. The children were able both) of the galleries to learn more
The mission of the Capital Region to explore the giant corn maze, about these very special children.
Our kids enjoying a
great day of fun on the
Heart Gallery is to raise awareness
of the need for permanent loving
enjoy activities on the farm and We are always looking for family February 2010
farm at Liberty Ridge take part in a campfire cookout. friendly venues to display the Heart February Events
adoptive families for the children The children were excited to see Gallery. If you know of a location, Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
awaiting adoption in this region. their photographs (as part of the we would like to hear from you. Feb 12: Lincoln’s Birthday holiday. Schenectady
Our goals are to inspire individuals Heart Gallery) on display in the Please feel free to give me a call at 1 2 3 4 5 6 County Offices closed.
who otherwise might never have main building. The kids had a great 518-388-4399.
Liberty Ridge Farm considered adopting, and to time, and we are tremendously
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day
Fondly, 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
in Schaghticoke motivate those who have. grateful to Liberty Ridge for
Feb 16: Washington’s Birthday holiday. Schenectady
The Capital Region Heart Gallery
has been on display at Parson's
welcoming our youth to their
wonderful facility.
Lori Pirrone 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 County Offices closed.
Child and Family Center On November 17, The New York
throughout the month of State Heart Gallery was brought to 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
November, and welcomed guests the Rensselaer Train Station, where
at three public receptions during it is currently on display. The New 28
the month. The Capital Region York City Heart Gallery is also on
Heart Gallery will also be on display at Penn Station in NYC. In
display at Rotterdam Square Mall— addition to the photographs, the
near the mall offices—beginning Heart Gallery displays include The Heart Gallery display at Liberty Ridge
2 3