Incredible things are possible when we work together.

What difference is my support making? Who is it helping?

This is a fair question for any of our supporters to ask. In this section, we will share our stories with you while maintaining complete confidentiality. We will keep you updated on the activities in our various programs, including success stories of those whom we have helped, special events in which our programs participate, and any commendations that our staff receives.

Case Worker Honored for Work in Residential Treatment Program

The staff at Child & Family Services are highly skilled and passionate about helping children in our community, so we are thrilled when they are recognized for their work. One of our team members, Residential Case Worker Sierrah Urbanczyk, was recently asked to present one of her cases at a statewide training by New York…
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National Adoption Month: A Family Becomes Whole Through Adoption

Child & Family Services is proud to share that Allison Ernst and her family officially welcomed a new member when they adopted Melody on November 28. November is National Adoption Month; the timing of these proceedings could not be better. Allison was a first-time foster mother and admits to having some reluctance to taking in…
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National Adoption Month – Case Worker Bailie Murty Jumps for Joy

It can be difficult for children placed in foster to trust their case planner, but Bailie Murty made it look easy while working with six-year-old Liam*. Liam had been waiting to be adopted for years and had already worked with several other case planners during that time. He was reserved when Bailie first took over…
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Lucy Tschachtli Celebrates 30th Anniversary at Haven House

Child & Family Services would like to congratulate Lucy Tschachtli for her 30th anniversary at Haven House! The Agency hosted a celebration both in person and via Zoom for her on Wednesday, October 19. Joyful tears filled Lucy’s eyes as her friends and co-workers heaped praise upon her. With 30 years of commitment to the C&FS mission, Lucy has truly…
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Domestic Violence Survivor Finds a Fresh Start

Each year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, C&FS works to shine the light on prevention and create more awareness of the help that is out there. Veronica* felt trapped. Her boyfriend demanded to know where she was at all times. He grew paranoid, becoming violent when he doubted that Veronica was telling him…
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Welcoming Two New Members to the C&FS Senior Leadership Team

Child & Family Services is excited to introduce the two newest members of the Agency’s Senior Leadership team! Please welcome the new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Yvonne Dubois, and the new Chief Human Resources Officer, Rachel Haseley. “It’s like I’m coming home,” said Yvonne. Between her time as a social worker and, most recently,…
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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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