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Meet Chantele Thompson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Child & Family Services is thrilled to welcome Chantele Thompson to our team!  As Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Chantele will be responsible for recognizing, creating, and implementing plans to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within our agency. She will also be promoting and developing training programs to enhance employee understanding on diversity, equity,…
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A Letter for National Adoption Month

Nicholas Largo, Program Manager of Foster Care and Adoption, reflects on overcoming barriers to adopt during the pandemic. November is National Adoption Month. It is a month when we recognize the need for forever homes for children in foster care, a month when we take time to thank and celebrate all of our adoptive families who…
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Halloween Tricks and Treats Come to Children at Residential

The costumes. The candy. The games. Staying up late. For children, there are few days throughout the year more exciting than Halloween. As we all know, though, this year’s Halloween feels different due to the pandemic. Trying to keep the season’s fun alive for the kids, our Residential team has been hosting “Spooktacular” events. “Our…
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Shine the Light Marks the Start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On October 1, Child & Family Services commemorated the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at its annual Shine the Light press conference. With the pandemic continuing to affect each of us, this year has seen a great amount of uncertainty. While it is always difficult for a domestic violence survivor to escape abuse, the…
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What to Do if Someone You Know Experiences Domestic Violence

Earlier today, Sara Grady, Director of Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Services at Haven House, gave the first presentation of the Haven House Domestic Violence Awareness Month Speakers Series. In her webinar, “Shining a Light on Domestic Violence,” Sara described that domestic violence makes an impact on each of us. She explained, “One in four…
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Residential Team Goes Above and Beyond for Remote Learning

Just like many other children in Western New York, the kids at Child & Family Services’ Residential Treatment recently started their school year with remote learning. “The entire [Residential] team has really come together during this trying time,” said Dana Szalay, Director of Residential Treatment. “We’re a treatment program focused on trauma, building coping skills,…
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Officially a Rooney After a Long Wait

“Hi, I’m Reni Rooney! I was adopted!” Having been with Terri and Brendan Rooney since she was three months old, Reni knew that she was a part of their family. Now four years old, Reni would sometimes ask why her last name was not the same as theirs. Since her adoption on September 9, though,…
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A Skype Adoption has Unexpected Benefit

It was not how they always pictured it, but that did not matter to Emily and John Murphy as they adopted 3-year-old T.J. on September 2. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption itself was delayed by several months and had to take place over Skype, an online teleconference service. Though an out-of-the-ordinary experience, the…
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Young Man at Morey House Starts at ECC

“Evan* is a little shy at first, a little quiet,” said Roemello White, Case Planner at Morey House. “But once you get him warmed up and talking about his passions, he lights up.” Recently gaining admission at Erie Community College, Evan will be able to continue pursuing his dreams. Evan is a 20-year-old young man…
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The Stanley G. Falk School Reopens for the School Year

When the Stanley G. Falk School doors opened on Tuesday morning, the school was ready for its students and staff to return. Click here to see the full story as reported by WIVB-TV News 4. Each classroom includes six students, one teacher, and one teacher aide. While this might be a different appearance for some…
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Stress and Anxiety on the Rise Amid Pandemic

When is the last time you took a moment to ask yourself how you are feeling? According to a recent report by the CDC, over 40% of adults over the age of 18 reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition resulting from the pandemic, including symptoms of anxiety or depression. The same…
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Haven House Thankful for Rachael Warrior Foundation Support

While many of us are still physically apart, the Rachael Warrior Foundation reached out to Haven House with a generous gift.  Well before the pandemic, the Rachael Warrior Foundation held a gala called “Let Love Soar” with part of the proceeds to benefit Haven House. At that time, none of us realized just how much…
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