Adoption: Where Do I Start?
(Separate Website)
General information on adopting a child, including what steps to follow and what you need to know.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
FAQ's: Adoption Process
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption process, including who can adopt.
By: National Adoption Center
Are you Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption?
(Separate Website)
Information about different legal options if you are pregnant and want to consider adoption.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Adoption Home Study Process
(Separate Website)
Information on what is involved in the home study, a process that all persons must go through if they want to adopt a child in the United States.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Stepparent Adoption
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet has information on the legal issues and steps to take when a stepparent wants to adopt.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Is Second Parent Adoption?
If you are thinking of adopting your partner's child, this fact sheet can answer many of your questions about second parent adoption including what steps you will need to follow.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
Adopting a Child With Special Needs
(Separate Website)
Information on how to adopt a child with special needs, including resources and services that your family may be able to receive.
By: Adoption.com
Intercountry Adoption
(Separate Website)
Detailed information on adopting a child from outside of the United States, including what documents are needed and other legal information.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Legal Issues of Independent Adoption
(Separate Website)
This factsheet gives legal information about adoptions that are not arranged through an agency (independent adoptions), as well as those that are. Also included is information on the legal rights of birth fathers.
By: American Adoptions
Keeping the Family Tree Intact through Kinship Care
(Separate Website)
Detailed information on kinship care and adoption, including what public assistance programs might be able to provide help.
By: Adoption.com
Openness in Adoption
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet explains what an open adoption is, including information on related legal issues.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
Private Placement Adoption in New York
(Separate Website)
Explains private placement adoption, who can adopt and when the biological parents need to consent.
By: MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Parties to An Adoption
(Separate Website)
General legal information on who may adopt, who may be adopted, and who may place a child for adoption.
By: Adoption.com
Consent to Adoption
(Separate Website)
General information on legal issues involving who must consent before a child can be adopted.
By: Adoption.com
Fact Sheet on the Child Citizen Act of 2000
(Separate Website)
This resource explains the federal law that allows biological and adopted children from other countries to become U.S. citizens.
By: U.S. Department of State
Access to Family Information by Adopted Persons
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet explains the legal issues and terms that you will need to know in order to understand the laws about who can have access to adoption records and what type of information will be included in those records.
By: American Adoptions
Where to Go For Birth Records in New York City
(Separate Website)
Information on how you can get access to official records of your birth in New York City.
By: National Center for Health Statistics
Intestate Inheritance Rights
(Separate Website)
The legal rights of adopted persons to inherit when the deceased died without writing a will.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
Adoption Subsidies, Benefits and other Financial Issues
How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option Information about adoption process, with special details on subsidies or financial help that may be available to families who adopt. Also included in this booklet are definitions of common terms used during the adoption process.
By: National Endowment for Financial Education
Federal and State Adoption Assistance
(Separate Website)
Information on Federal and State subsidies that are available to help a family who has adopted a child with special needs.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
State Regulation of Adoption Expenses General information concerning what types of expenses are allowed to be paid to the birth parent and to the agency arranging the adoption.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet describes the type of employer benefits that are available to a family that has adopted a child, including what the law requires and what is optional.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
How To Start A Case In Manhattan Family Court
(Separate Website)
Step-by-step instructions on starting a Family Court case in Manhattan, including what kinds of cases you can start.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Hebrew / עברית
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
I do not speak English, what is my right to receive information in my language?
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to File a Discrimination Complaint With The Office For Civil Rights
(Separate Website)
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex or religion by a health care or human services provider (such as a hospital, nursing home, social service agency, doctor's office, pharmacy, children's health program, alcohol and drug treatment center, adoption agencies) or by a State or local government health or human services agency, you may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
By: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Polish / polski
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Tagalog / Tagalog
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Complaints About Attorneys
(Separate Website)
If you have a complaint against an attorney, you may contact the Attorney Disciplinary / Grievance Committee. The office you need to contact depends upon the location of your lawyer's office. Click for more information.
By: New York State Unified Court System
Understanding the Laws on How You Can Discipline Your Children
This pamphlet helps immigrants, particularly those from the Asian American community, understand how you can discipline your children, and what may be considered child abuse or neglect under New York law.
By: The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
Read this in:
Bengali / বাংলা
,
Chinese / 中文
,
Hindi / हिन्दी
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Urdu / اردو
TIPS on Common Questions about Child Abuse
Answers to commonly asked questions about child abuse and neglect.
By: Bronx Legal Services
12 Things You Should Know About Child Protective Proceedings Overview of what to expect when dealing with Child Protective Proceedings.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Surviving Sexual Abuse and Getting Help: You are Not Alone!
(Separate Website)
If you are a young person who has been sexually abused, or if you think you may have been, this can help you understand your rights and find out where to go for help.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Reporting Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporters and the State Central Registry
This fact sheet explains the rules on how child abuse and neglect is reported, including who is required to report, what the state central registry is, how a report is investigated, and what happens next.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
Clearing Your Name: A step-by-step guide through the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
(Separate Website)
This is a step-by-step guide on how to find out if there are records of of child abuse, neglect or maltreatment against you in the New York State Central Register (SCR), whether that information is available to future employers or licensing agencies that deal with the care of children, and how to get those records sealed. If you were ever investigated by the Administration of Children's Services (ACS) or any other child protective services -- even if your child was not taken away from you and the case was closed -- there may be a report against you in the SCR. If you apply for a job with children, want to be a foster parent, want to adopt, or want custody of your own children, you need to find out your SCR status and clear your name.
By: Lansner Kubitschek Schaffer
Child Abuse and Neglect Reports in the State Central Register and How to Seal or Expunge Them
(Separate Website)
Information about what records are kept about reports of child abuse and neglect, how to get information about your case, and how to challenge or appeal these reports.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
Child Abuse Emergency Information
(Separate Website)
Information on how a child, young person or adult can report child abuse, including child abuse in school or in foster care.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
TIPS on Neglect and/or Abuse Fact Finding Hearings in Family Court
Information on fact finding hearings which are used to decide whether there has been abuse and/or neglect, and what can happen as a result of these hearings.
By: Bronx Legal Services
Child Protective Proceedings: Rights and Responsiblities
(Separate Website)
When the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) files a case against you, you have rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilites are explained here.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Hebrew / עברית
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
Dispositional Hearings on Child Neglect and Abuse Cases
If you are in court on a child neglect or abuse case, this fact sheet can help you understand what a dispositional hearing is and what can happen as a result of this hearing.
By: Legal Services NYC - Bronx Office
Read this in:
French / Français
,
Spanish / Español
TIPS About Going to Family Court and Working With Your Attorney
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet talks about what to expect in family court and how to best work with your attorney.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
How to Use Your Lawyer
This booklet explains your right to a lawyer in child neglect and abuse cases, and how to work with your lawyer to get the best results in your case.
By: National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Win Your Case
If the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has brought a case against you for child abuse or neglect, this booklet can help you understand what steps you can take to help defeat these charges.
By: National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Preparing for the incarceration of a loved one
(Separate Website)
This guide will cover issues such as the options a relative has for caring for the child of an incarcerated loved one, options a pregnant woman has when she is incarcerated, how families can keep in touch while a loved is incarcerated, and much more.
By: LIFT
Information for Parents whose Children are in Foster Care
Understanding Foster Care
This booklet contains important information about foster care, including what foster care is, how a child gets placed in foster care, your rights and responsibilities when your child is in foster care and the agency's duties to you, service plan reviews, getting your children back, and court.
By: National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
A Parent's Guide To New York's New Foster Care Law
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet is designed to explain to parents the most important ways that the new law changes your rights and responsibilities regarding your children in foster care. It does not provide a general overview of the foster care system.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
The Survival Guide to the NYC Child Welfare System: A Workbook for Parents by Parents
(Separate Website)
This workbook gives detailed information on the child welfare system, including who are the agencies and other players involved, how children enter foster care and how you can get them home again, how parent's rights are terminated, and other related matters. You can click on each section to learn more about a particular subject.
By: Child Welfare Organizing Project
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Spanish / Español
Bill of Rights For Parents with Children in Foster Care
(Separate Website)
When you have children in foster care, the Administration for Children's Services ("ACS")(formerly "CWA" and "BCW") has legal custody of your children. As a parent, you continue to have many rights. You should know these rights and try to use them to help you.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
Getting the Most Out of Your Service Plan Review (SPR)
(Separate Website)
A parent's guide to making a Service Plan Review (SPR) as productive as possible.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
Parent's Rights in Service Plan Reviews (SPR)
If you are a parent with children in foster care, this fact sheet will explain your rights concerning the reviews held by the foster care agency (SPR's) to measure your family's progress. This fact sheet also provides other important information about how parents can reunify their family.
By: Legal Services NYC
TIPS on Services for Families with Children in Foster Care
This booklet has information on your rights to services and other rights while your childen are in foster care.
By: Bronx Legal Services
Fair Hearings on Foster Care Issues
Information on how to request and prepare for foster care Fair Hearings.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
,
Spanish / Español
Visiting Your Child in Foster Care: What Every Parent Should Know
(Separate Website)
Information on the rights of parents when visiting their children who are in foster care.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
What to Consider If Your Children Are In Foster Care, Or Are At Risk Of Foster Care Placement, Because You Have A Drug Problem
(Separate Website)
This resource provides useful advice on your options when coping with a drug problem and risk of placement of your children.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
Visiting Your Child In Foster Care
(Separate Website)
Tips for helping you to have the best possible visiting arrangements while your child is in foster care.
By: Center for Family Representation
New York State Kinship Navigator Program
(Separate Website)
Flier announcing the NYS Kinship Navigator Program, a statewide resource for information and referrals. Call 877-4KinInfo, Monday-Fri 10am-4pm to speak with a Specialist or visit www.nysnavigator.org
By: Catholic Family Center
Voluntary Placement in Foster Care
This fact sheet provides answers to questions you might have about what happens if you voluntarily place your child in foster care.
By: Lansner & Kubitschek
TIPS on Who's Who in the Foster Care System
Information to help you understand what rights parents still have when their child is in foster care, what rights the agency has, and what rights a foster parent has.
By: Bronx Legal Services
TIPS on Family Court Permanency Hearings for Children in Foster Care
This contains information on permanency hearings, including what happens at these hearings, what the judge may decide, and how you can best be prepared.
By: Bronx Legal Services
Your Rights in Foster Care
(Separate Website)
This booklet is about the legal rights of kids in foster care and includes information about visits, school, pregnancy, sexual orientation, legal help, court and what to do if there are problems.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
Your Rights in Group Homes
(Separate Website)
This booklet is for children in group homes and includes information about placement, leaving the group home, HIV/AIDS, school, visits, your legal rights and what to do if there are problems.
Click on "Your Rights in Foster Care" to find this portion of the booklet.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
Your Rights in Treatment Centers: RTC's, RTF's, Hospitals
(Separate Website)
This booklet is about the legal rights of children in residential treatment centers, facilities and hospitals. It explains what the legal reasons are for placing kids in this type of foster care, how to get out of foster care, visits, school, psychiatric hospitals, and other important issues.
Click on "Your Rights in Foster Care" to find this portion of the booklet.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
Your Rights in Foster Care: The SPR/UCR Process This information is for young people who want to know their rights in foster care, and how the SPR/UCR process can help.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
The Rights of Teen Moms in Foster Care
If you are under 18, in foster care, and have a child of your own, this booklet can tell you about certain rights and responsibilities that you have.
Please note that this information was last updated in 2003. We do not know if it is currently up-to-date. However, the references to the court cases, regulations and the law may be useful.
By: National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Students! Know Your Educational Rights While in Foster Care
(Separate Website)
A fact sheet for children in foster care about their educational rights, and what steps to take if these rights are violated.
By: Advocates for Children of New York, Inc.
Immigrant Youth in Foster Care: Special Immigrant Status If you are an immigrant who is in foster care, this fact sheet explains a Federal law that can help you become a legal permanent U.S. resident and get a green card.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
Read this in:
Korean / 한국어
,
Spanish / Español
Are You in Foster Care and Ready to Live on Your Own? You May Qualify for a Housing Subsidy. Information for young people who are coming out of foster care to live on their own about a housing subsidy that can help pay part of the rent.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
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