In December of 2003, Modern Courts’ sponsored a forum entitled
“Almost Home, New Developments and Next Steps in Adoption.”
The forum examined adoption reform in New York State, including
the “Adoption Now” initiative spearheaded by Court of
Appeals Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye to promote faster and more efficient
placements. Panelists outlined how the courts, the State Office
of Children and Family Services, the New York City Administration
for Children’s Services and local social services districts
statewide have been working together to streamline the adoption
process and eliminate obstacles to expedited permanency plans for
children in foster care. Panelists also discussed remaining hurdles
in permanency planning and identified measures to further improve
the process.
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Participating panelists were: Administrative Judge Sharon Townsend
of the Eighth Judicial District; Janet R. Fink, counsel in the Office
of Court Administration; Judith Ashton, executive director of the
Citizens’ Coalition for Children; Raymond Schimmer, executive
director of the Parsons Child and Family Center; and Aaron Britvan,
co-chair of the State Bar’s Committee on Adoption. The forum,
co-sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, was moderated
by Darlene Ward, executive director of CASA: Advocates for Children
of New York State and was held at the State Bar Center in Albany.
