From the desk of the Executive Director
January 22, 2008
 
Dear Friend of Children:
 
It is almost exactly twenty-two years since a group of excited, thoughtful adoptive parents and adoption advocates got together to begin the process of creating the agency that became FAMILY FOCUS ADOPTION SERVICES.  Now we are in a new century, launching a new and improved website, and the excitement is still there!
 
It took us two years to open, with the agency launching on July 3, 1987.  Who would ever have believed that twenty years later we would have successfully placed almost 1,000 youngsters for adoption - healthy babies, "boarder" babies, school age sibling groups, handicapped children of all ages, and the "waiting" teens who need us the most.  In addition, we have helped thousands of New York State families with their international and interstate adoptions.  Perhaps of greatest note, we have trained thousands of social workers and foster/adoptive parents throughout the United States and Canada - and have truly influenced the world of adoption in a positive way.
 
I know that I am bragging - but I have been the Executive Director since the day we opened, so that may give me some bragging rights.  There is no way to describe how it feels to get a phone call from somewhere, asking if we would please come to train about the special way that we place children - and the special way that we define adoption.  We have given the child welfare world a new definition of adoption, and a new understanding of what "success" really is. We have taught about Consumer Mentality as an enemy of adoption, and about the positive explanation for the negative acting-out of adopted children.  We have even taught a new ritual to recognize the sanctity of the adoptive family claim.
 
Why have we developed this type of training?  Because it contains the core belief systems of our agency (and our lives).  We know that adoption works, and we know that it is misunderstood.  We know that disruptions happen unnecessarily, because families and workers don't have the guidance that they should have - and we want to help.  We know that adoptive families and the youngsters they are adopting find tremendous meaning in our adoption ceremonies and the signing of Covenants - and that these events are being replicated in many different parts of the US and Canada.
 
Our staff is long term and extremely dedicated - with each one of us determined to fulfill the goal of finding a family for every child in need.  Our Board is an integral part of our agency, offering the support that we all need. The corporate and foundation world have begun to recognize our special value as well.
 
If you are new to FAMILY FOCUS, welcome to our world.  Please use our web site to learn and to share your thoughts with us.  We are happy that you are here.
 
  Sincerely,
  Maris
  Maris H. Blechner, M Ed, LCSW
  Executive Director

FAMILY FOCUS ADOPTION SERVICES
54-40 Little Neck Parkway, Suite 4, Little Neck, NY 11362
Tel: 718-224-1919 . Toll Free: 866-855-1919 . Fax: 718-225-8360 . email: ffas@familyfocusadoption.org

Pride Flag Welcoming all families for more than 21 years.