East Hudson Valley News

Poughkeepsie — When William and Emily learned of a dire need in their community—caring for children whose birth parents could not care for them—they knew they had to help. They first became foster parents in 2022, opening their home and heart to a child who needed their love and support.

In the intervening two years, William and Emily have fostered many Dutchess County children whose home life had become too dangerous to remain there. Many of these placements occurred at the last minute or in the early hours of the morning due to emergency circumstances. They have since adopted a young girl and are currently fostering five other children, growing their family and giving vulnerable children hope.

To celebrate William, Emily, and more than 120 foster families who open their homes to children in need, the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) recently hosted a Foster Care Appreciation event dedicated to recognizing the contributions of local foster parents throughout Dutchess County. The event, held at Camp Nooteeming in Pleasant Valley, included dinner, dessert, arts and crafts activities, and games for the entire family.

DCFS honored foster parents who have reached significant milestones in their fostering journey. Special recognition was given to those fostering for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years or longer. In addition to William and Emily, honorees included two foster parents who have fostered local children for 20 years; two who have fostered for 17 years; nine who have fostered between 10 and 14 years; and 25 who have fostered between five and nine years. Additionally, DCFS honored one family that has fostered 16 local children and is adopting their eighth child; another couple is currently fostering five children after already adopting one.

County Executive Sue Serino stated: “These dedicated parents have opened their hearts and their homes to provide stability, love, and support to children in need. As a county, we express our profound gratitude to these foster parents who play crucial roles in the community, and we celebrate their families’ successes. We hope these residents’ devotion to Dutchess County’s vulnerable children will inspire others to explore becoming a foster parent.”

Foster parents provide temporary care for children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family challenges. By becoming a foster parent individuals can make a profound difference in a child's life—offering them stability love—and an opportunity to thrive. The ultimate goal of foster care is reuniting children with their birth parents as they undergo treatment for issues preventing them from caring for their kids.

DCFS Commissioner Sabrina Jaar Marzouka said: “Foster care is a lifeline for children in need providing them with love security—and hope for the future We are deeply grateful—to our current—foster-parents-for-their-selfless-dedication-and-compassion-we-encourage-others-in-our-community-to-consider-opening-their-hearts-and-homes-to-make-a-lasting-difference-in-a-child's-life."

To become a licensed foster parent individuals must:

• Be at least 21 years old;

• Be married single or living—in-partnership;

• Have—their-own-source-of-income;

• Have—a-bed-for-each-child;

• Have-working-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-detectors;

• Have-the-ability-to-work-as-a-member-of-a-team;

• Provide-a-safe-and-healthy-home;

• Each-person-in-the-home-18-years-or-older-must-be-fingerprinted-and-cleared-through-the Child Abuse Registry FBI—and Justice Center Registry

Earlier this week DCFS hosted its Community Forum—for—the Advancement of Older Foster Youth at—the Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library—and Museum's Henry A Wallace Visitor—and Education Center—in Hyde Park The event convened dozens of local service providers—and stakeholders—to enhance ways—to-support older youth as—they age out—of-foster-care ensuring—they-have long-term stability—and well-being

The need—for-foster—parents—is ongoing DCFS encourages residents—to consider opening—their-homes—and-hearts-to—children-in-need DCFS provides training-and ongoing support

There are various ways-to-support-foster-care—from becoming—a-foster-parent—to-volunteering-and supporting-foster-families-in-other-capacities Interested-individuals-can-learn-more-about-fostering-and—the application-process-by-visiting—the DCFS website—or contacting-the-Foster-Care Unit-at-8454863220—or FosterCare@DutchessNYgov