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The Journey to Become a Foster Parent

The decision to welcome a foster child into your home is one of the most selfless, but difficult decisions people make. Christine and her husband, Justin, recently decided to become foster parents. When Christine and Justin came to Child & Family Services, they asked the same question we receive from so many other individuals, “What…
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Hats Off to Kristen Williams – Making Hats for Babies in Foster Care

“Oh my gosh… a lot,” laughed Kristen Williams, Foster Care Supervisor at Child & Family Services, when asked how many hats she thinks she has knitted. “Probably around 100.” Kristen’s grandmother taught her how to knit when she was just ten years old. Years later, a college roommate showed Kristen how to use a loom.…
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Beautiful New Playground Energizes Haven House

A few years ago, members of the Haven House team sat down to put together a wish list. When they wrote the list, the item at the top said “Playground.” Thanks to the generosity of the Josephine Goodyear Foundation and the Russel Family Charitable Trust, families can now be found playing together on that playground…
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Celebrating Juneteenth

We celebrate Juneteenth today, a day in which we mark the end of slavery in the United States. Originally abolished by President Lincoln in 1863, it took over two years for slaves in Texas to learn that they were free. It then took until just last year for Juneteenth to officially become a federal holiday.…
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Letter to Our Community This Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month. Over 400,000 children are placed in the foster care system nationwide each year. In our local community, nearly 700 children are in foster care. There are many opportunities to help. Child & Family Services is the first step in being a part of a child’s success story, and we…
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How C&FS Nurses Handled COVID – Celebrating National Nurses Week

“It was impressive,” Jessica Gravelle, Nursing Supervisor at Child & Family Services, gleamed when asked about her team's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’d like to think that people thought that coming to work was as safe as it could be.” Child & Family Services was awarded funding during the pandemic to safely equip their…
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WIVB-TV News: Noticing the Signs of Child Abuse

Thank you to Channel 4 News for hosting Kristy Colvin, our Program Manager of Case Management, to discuss the signs of child abuse as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month! Watch the video below:
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Celebrating Social Work’s Small Victories

 “I’m so proud of her,” beamed Kristen Williams, Program Supervisor of Foster Care and Adoption at C&FS, as she explained how she helped a mother reunite with her baby girl. We asked Kristen about how she makes a difference this National Social Work Month. Kristen reflected on the trust that she and the mother were…
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Spotlight Shines on Young Talent

It was Andrew’s* turn to perform a song. He was nervous. Andrew was a shy child, but wanted to take part in the recent talent show being hosted at C&FS’ Residential Treatment Program during his week off from school. He saw how much fun everyone was having, but the idea of performing in front of…
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Giving Thanks to Our Team This National Social Work Month

Nick* had been through tough times, but his case workers, Mackenzie and Taya, were with him every step of the way. They spent countless hours with him, learning his personality and what makes him special. They helped him with his coping and flexibility skills so he could adapt to different living situations. After living in…
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Keeping an Open Dialogue with Youth – February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Just like domestic violence, teen dating violence is happening in all communities. One in three teens in the US will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. In addition, 43% of college women reported experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors, according to love is…
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Teacher Finds Ways to Manage Stress with EAP Screenings

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Amy* is a teacher who was anxious due to staffing shortages at her school, which also led to unease in her personal life. Knowing that she wasn't feeling like her normal self, she came to one of Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) recent screening events. With the world seeming to move…
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