Advisory Council Carla.Brathwaite.19@gmail.com Carla Brathwaite has been an educator in the New York Public School System for the past 21 years spanning both Middle School and High School.   Currently she is a Supervisor of Special Education, Science and Physical Education.  She’s earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from New York University in Chemistry and Secondary Education grades 7 to 12.  In addition, Carla has earned two Master’s of Science Degrees from Touro University- one in Education and Special Education grades K – 12 and a Master’s in Education Administration and ..read more

Family Support Specialist alicia@affcny.org |  888.354.3757   Alicia Murray has been a Family Support Specialist with the  Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® AGAPE team since 2023.   ..read more

New State Funding Offers Schools Over Six Million Dollars in Grants for Much Needed Trauma Responsive Training The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced in early December, the availability of new grant funding funds for school districts throughout New York State to implement training and curriculum that will enhance schools’ capacity to be trauma-responsive. At the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York, we understand that educating students with a history of trauma and toxic stress can be challenging. We are thrilled to share a new opportunity for funding from ..read more

The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York has been providing valuable services to families for over 40 years. Give to Support the Coalition and help us continue this vital work ..read more

    Join us on Thursday, December 8th as the AGAPE team airs a rebroadcast of Grace Bell’s 33rd Annual New York State Foster Care and Adoption Conference Workshop “Trauma at the Table.”   This nutrition workshop explores the food behaviors we commonly see with children in care including hoarding, bingeing or overeating, selective eating, eating disorders, and other dysregulation around food. This workshop will explore the role trauma plays in nutrition behaviors and the importance of supporting our children through connection. Participants will discover some foundational app ..read more

    A Rebroadcast of a 2022 Conference Presentation by Grace Bell & Discussion! This nutrition workshop explores the food behaviors we commonly see with children in care including hoarding, bingeing or overeating, selective eating, eating disorders, and other dysregulation around food. This workshop will explore the role trauma plays in nutrition behaviors and the importance of supporting our children through connection. Participants will discover some foundational approaches to addressing nutrition behaviors and discuss how to modify these approaches to meet our children’s i ..read more

RSVP now for our Long Island AGAPE Family Meetings! Now IN-PERSON every month on the 2nd Tuesday. Join us in December for CRAFT NIGHT on December 13th ..read more

The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York has created this tip sheet to assist educators in understand the affect of trauma on their students. The information may be accessed digitally  here or use the link below to download the PDF to print or save.  DOWNLOAD THE PDF TO PRINT Adverse Childhood Experiences Students who have experienced adverse, hurtful childhood experiences are much more likely to struggle in school and avoid school than other children. Approximately a third of students in every classroom have experienced significant adversity such as: Physical ..read more

This is a step-by-step guide *on how to find out if there are records of child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment against you in the New York State Central Register (SCR ..read more

DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION Adverse Childhood Experiences Students who have experienced adverse, hurtful childhood experiences are much more likely to struggle in school and avoid school than other children. Approximately a third of students in every classroom have experienced significant adversity such as: Physical and/or emotional neglect Physical sexual or emotional abuse Domestic violence Stressful family relations (e.g. divorce, mental health, substance use, incarceration, poverty) Prenatal exposure to stress Loss of a family member Separation from their biological family Multiple c ..read more