NAFI New York has partnered with the mission driven technology company Binti to launch a simple online application process for prospective foster parents.
“Binti builds modern software with the goal of helping every child have a family,” the company website explains. “400,000 children are currently in foster care in the U.S. and millions are in orphanages around the world. 30% of the US’s homeless population and 25% of prison inmates experienced foster care as youth. It’s clear that children who don’t have families don’t have a fair chance at life. Binti wants to change that. By streamlining the foster/adoption process with user-friendly tools, we are working to address the nationwide shortage of foster families.”
“Since its launch, Binti has scaled to serve over 120 agencies across 19 states and has enabled over 30,000 families to be approved to adopt or foster. On average, agencies using Binti approve 80 percent more families per year in 16 percent fewer days,” Inc. media said.
Those wishing to become NAFI New York foster parents, or to begin exploring the responsibilities, requirements, and rewards of the role, now may simply head to the foster care page on our website and hit the “Apply Here” button.
“NAFI New York is blessed with a dedicated group of wonderful foster parents, but the need is so great we are always working to add to the ranks,” said Shawn White, the Home Finding Supervisor for NAFI New York. “Hopefully making the process of applying to become a foster parent, or simply exploring the possibility, easier and more accessible will help increase the number of loving homes we can provide to youth.”
Following the online “Apply Here” link begins a mutual screening process that enables both sides to determine if foster parenting is a good fit.
We provide specialized foster care and therapeutic services to a wide range of youth, including those with mental health and behavioral issues, as part of our wraparound program that relies on specially-trained foster parents to be the foundation of the youth’s treatment team. NAFI New York’s therapeutic foster parents must complete specialized training before being approved, and our therapists and case managers work side-by-side with caregivers to provide individually-tailored support and treatment aligning with NAFI’s philosophy that change happens when individuals are given a voice in their treatment.
NAFI New York currently has Therapeutic Foster Care homes in Albany, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties, where we recruit, train, and support a diverse group of foster parents. We welcome single, married, partnered, or cohabitating individuals to become foster parents. NAFI NY proudly supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples on the journey to become foster parents.
See our foster care page to learn more and get started. Those seeking more information about the foster parent application and training process may also begin by reaching out to Shawn White by email at ShawnWhite@nafi.com or by phone at 845-743-4486. Ask about our next online information and orientation session scheduled for June 15.
About NAFI NEW YORK
NAFI New York’s mission is creating diverse and innovative services for people as a multi-service agency that provides programming, consultation and individualized support services to youth and families in a variety of community-based settings.
The agency was established within the North American Family Institute in 2005 with the ground-breaking Westchester Wraparound program. From there, NAFI NY has grown to be known as a leader in community-based and therapeutic foster care programming for youth and families.
The foundation for all of our diverse services and programs are the common values and beliefs known as the Normative Community Approach. It is not a prescriptive model but rather a culmination of our basic assumptions and beliefs about working with people. It forms a framework for building community and empowering people to find their voice.
