Sometimes removing a child is the only protection …

After a court has made the decision that a child must be removed from their home for their own protection, the Cardinal McCloskey Foster Boarding Home Program provides a temporary family living situation during the time their own family is unable to care for them or while they await permanent placement with an adoptive family.

Most of the 350 children in care with us have experienced some level of deprivation or some degree of physical or sexual abuse. Children range in age from newborn infants to young adults who will age-out of care on their 21st birthday. Some suffer from physical, mental or neurological handicaps. All need loving and attentive foster parents to help them achieve their optimum level of growth and development. Currently CMS has over 425 foster parents who have been certified to care for foster children. Our team of professionals including social workers, behavioral health specialists, psychologists and other medical professionals provide casework counseling, mental health assessments and on-going treatment, educational assistance and medical and dental care.

We are currently recruiting and certifying foster boarding homes in the Mott Haven, Hunts Point and Soundview areas of the Bronx and in East Harlem in Manhattan. Click here for information on becoming a Foster Parent.

Our staff of concerned social workers offers intensive services to biological families, children in care and foster families with the primary goal being family reunification. While children are in care, CMS social workers assist the families in securing the resources necessary to address the circumstances leading to the placement.

Certified Foster Parents

Before a child is placed in a foster home, the family must be certified. To become certified the family is carefully screened including a criminal background check and clearance from the NYS Child Abuse Registry for each family member in the home. Homes are assessed to ensure foster children will have appropriate living arrangements. Before children can be placed in the home, potential foster parents must complete a comprehensive 30-hour training program addressing such areas as separation and loss, shared parenting, behavior management, positive discipline and permanency planning.

Once all evaluations, assessments and training are complete, the family and home are certified and children can be placed. Social workers in the Foster Boarding Home Program work closely with foster parents and children to find the best match to meet the special needs of each children and each family.

Family Reunification

It is our belief that every child who comes to us has the right to expect that we will do everything within our power to reunite the family. Both our experienced social work staff and cadre of foster parents are trained to help families to achieve that goal. Outreach to the child's family occurs immediately following the child's removal. Family needs are evaluated, services identified, arranged for and provided so that the foster care placement can be a short one. Often, a child's removal gives the parents the opportunity and motive to get the assistance necessary to become responsible, loving caretakers.

Family visitation occurs as quickly and as regularly as possible so that children and parents feel less isolated and alone. Foster parents are encouraged to be sure that families are informed of and involved in significant events in the lives of their children. Our social workers help both families and foster families with this process and ensure that families are provided with the opportunities for counseling and other help they need to prepare for a time when their children will be returned home.

Neighborhood Based Services

Our services are community based. It is our wish that children experience as little disruption in their lives as is possible with out-of-home placement so foster parents are recruited from within the community. Community based placement means a child can stay near friends and familiar settings. Once a thorough assessment has been made of the child's and family's needs, services are coordinated in collaboration with other community providers to ensure the family has easy access to services and to visitation opportunities.

Caring for Children in Care

We believe that for as long as children are with us, we are responsible for their healthy development. Through our Health & Clinical Services Program, children receive a full evaluation of their medical, clinical and emotional health. All medical needs are addressed by the staff pediatrician or through outside referrals. Mental health needs are met by on-staff psychologists and psychiatrists as well as through community-based referrals.

Educational achievement is monitored closely and remedial and special help offered when needed. We work closely with foster families to meet children's needs for healthful and diverse recreational experiences and to give them the opportunity to make new friends and have new life experiences.

Other Permanency Plans