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Foster Care - Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program

Family and Community Services specializes in foster care services for youth from around the world ages 14 to 21 whose lives have been torn apart by war and oppression. The youth, arriving in the United States with no identified family or support, have been exposed to chronic trauma and stress which may include exposure to violence, loss of family and loved ones, deprivation, abuse and neglect, and displacement from their homes. The program works to help them resolve the impact of this trauma and develop independent living and academic skills, and provides ongoing support to their foster families to assist them to build a strong family unit.

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Caitlin Plankenhorn

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HomeServicesSupport for Families and ChildrenFoster Care - Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program

What the Program Offers - Youth in Care

  • Specialized foster homes to provide safe, stable family-oriented living
  • Case management services provided by highly trained social workers
  • Legal support to stabilize immigration status
  • Consistent medical and dental care through the support of Monroe County Department of Human Services (MCDHS)
  • Advocacy in all areas of life including educational, social, recreational and legal
  • Support and guidance to develop valuable life skills to become successful and self sufficient
  • Access to mental health services and support groups targeted to address adjustment and acclimation to life in the United States, past trauma, grief and loss, etc.
  • The opportunity to attend and graduate from high school, and to pursue a college education or a vocational career path

How You Can Help - Foster Parents

The Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program is always in need of foster parents in Monroe County.  Would you be willing to open your heart and your home to a refugee teen in need?

Eligibility Criteria - Foster Parents

Foster Parents must be at least 26 years old, have their own source of income, and housing that can accommodate foster youth.

To be certified as a foster parent, individuals must submit to a series of background checks, complete a medical evaluation, provide personal and employer references, and complete a 30 hour training program conducted by CCFCS.

Individuals interested in learning more about becoming foster parents must attend one of the informational meetings listed below.

Informational Meetings

Informational meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of every month at 1099 Jay St., Rochester, NY.

Next sessions:

  • Monday, October 14th @ 6PM
  • Monday, November 11th @ 6pm
  • Monday, December 9th @ 6pm

To register, please contact Caitlin Plankenhorn at (585) 546-7220 x4805 or placement.inquiries@fcscharities.org.

Eligibility Criteria - Foster Youth

All program youth must meet immigration status criteria (i.e. refugee designation, asylum seeker, humanitarian parolee, victim of human trafficking, or special immigrant juvenile). Referred youth must be under 18 years of age at time of entrance into our program, and are eligible to remain until age 21. Youth must be accepted for foster care services by Monroe County Department for Human Services (MCDHS) for placement with Catholic Charities. Youth must comply with all foster care regulations in order to maintain their eligibility.

Intake Process - Foster Youth

Referrals for youth come through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement Services. The program does not take any referrals directly.

Program Cost

There is no cost for the program.

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