We Want to Share Our Experiences with You

As summer nears its end, several local organizations wanted to make sure children and families at C+FS have what they need to start the school year on the right foot. They organized school supplies drives at their workplaces, collecting everything from notebooks and folders to backpacks and other classroom essentials.  “The supplies donated have been such a big…

Loki may not have a counseling degree, but the four-year-old Siberian Husky joined the C+FS Counseling Program as a certified therapy dog.  Brittany Jordon, Senior Mental Health Counselor, has had Loki since he was a puppy. She noticed how his calm demeanor naturally put those around him at ease and knew this ability could help clients feel more comfortable during their sessions.   Before his new career with C+FS,…

Four years ago, Sabrina* and Charles* welcomed one-year-old twin brothers Noah* and Liam* into their home through the C+FS Foster Care program. From day one, they knew they were committing to a journey that would require patience, perseverance and love.   From the time they were born, Noah and Liam faced significant medical challenges. Caring for them meant countless doctor's appointments, surgeries and extended hospital stays, sometimes requiring months at a time away…

When Emily* arrived at Haven House with her mother, Linda,* after fleeing domestic violence, she left behind more than just a home. Among the belongings she couldn't bring with her was one of her favorite possessions: her bicycle.  For many children, a bicycle represents freedom, adventure and the excitement of growing more independent. For Emily, that experience was suddenly interrupted. As staff at Haven House got to know Emily,…

As the 40th anniversary of Falk School approaches, we're excited to share an important milestone in the school's history: a refreshed brand that reflects both its legacy and its vision for the future.  Over the past year, Falk School gathered feedback from students, families, staff and community partners to better understand what makes the school so special. The overwhelming response told…

Sometimes, the most meaningful outcome is knowing you have a trusted path forward when life changes.  For parents Kelly* and Ryan,* establishing a custody and visitation agreement felt nearly impossible. Every conversation ended in frustration, and finding common ground seemed out of reach. Hoping for a better way forward, they turned to Child and Family Services Community Mediation Center (CMC)…

Over the past several weeks, the Residential Program team helped to celebrate an incredible season of educational milestones with children in our care. From elementary school moving-up celebrations to middle school promotions, each event marked an important step forward in a child's educational journey.  While each ceremony celebrated academic achievement, it also highlighted the meaningful relationships children have built with the team that…

When children move from one home to another in foster care, the process can feel overwhelming or, even in some cases, demeaning. That’s how Rob Scheer, founder of Comfort Cases, felt when he turned 18 and was removed from his foster home, given only a garbage bag for all his belongings.   After nearly forty years, Rob and his family decided to foster children of their own. When the children showed…

Recently, representatives from the Falk School traveled to Albany to participate in a meeting of the New York State Board of Regents as part of the Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) Pilot initiative. The meeting provided an opportunity to showcase how performance-based learning and assessment are being implemented at Falk and the positive impact this approach is having on students and educators.  At Falk, students demonstrate their…

When Sarah* stepped into her first management role, she was excited to support her team and help employees grow. Like many new supervisors, she expected challenges along the way, but one situation left her unsure of how to move forward.  One of Sarah's most dependable employees began arriving late, missing deadlines and struggling to keep…

When Alexis* lost custody of her four children, her world was turned upside down.  While her children were placed in the care of relatives, they were separated from each other with four different families. This made visits with each child very difficult. Despite the challenges, Alexis remained focused on one goal: bringing her family back together.  From…

Last Friday, the Falk School Class of 2026 celebrated a major milestone as students, families, friends and staff gathered for this year's graduation ceremony.  The evening was filled with pride and excitement as graduates were recognized not only for their academic achievements, but also for the growth and determination that brought them to this moment. For many of the students, graduation marked…