Foster Care & Adoption
Open Your Home. Change a Life.
Children come into foster care because their world has been disrupted. What they need next is steady ground — and steady people.
The Children’s Home has been finding homes for children for generations. Today, we partner with families across New York State who are willing to open their lives to a child who needs one. Whether your goal is to walk alongside a child temporarily until they can return home, to support a family through reunification, or to grow your own family through adoption from foster care, we’ll help you find the path that fits your life.
Who We’re Looking For
There isn’t one type of person who makes a great foster or adoptive parent. We work with single people, married couples, parents, empty nesters, renters, homeowners, people of every faith and background. What we look for is consistency, patience, and the willingness to learn alongside us. The rest, we’ll teach you.
Getting Trained
Foster parent classes are offered throughout the year across the counties we serve. Classes are free and cover the foundations of trauma-informed care, the practical realities of welcoming a child into your home, and the support systems available to foster parents in our network.
Programs Within Foster Care & Adoption
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK), the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption™ supports the hiring of professionals, known as recruiters, who are dedicated to finding permanent families for the longest-waiting children in foster care. These professionals use an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model to find the right family for every child in their care.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Filling out the form below is the first step.
Our team will follow up with you within 24 hours.
Foster Care Regional Contacts
Cortland (and surrounding areas) Courtney Kimble, Homefinder ckimble@chowc.org | (607) 743-2185
Norwich Gerald Michie | (607) 765-9059
Finger Lakes & Broome Marie Wilczewski, Assistant Director mdietrich@chowc.org | (607) 644-5407
Mid-Hudson (Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam) Dennisha McCall, Sr. Homefinder dmccall@chowc.org | (845) 417-9562
