Warren County committee approves $25,000 allocation to recruit foster parents

The Warren County Human Services Committee on April 21 voted to amend its 2025 budget to accept $25,000 from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to support foster-parent recruitment and Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program outreach.

Department of Social Services staff said the allocation will be used for marketing materials and outreach to increase the pool of certified Warren County foster homes and to support permanency outcomes through adoption and kinship guardianship assistance. “The request is to amend our budget to reflect an allocation of $25,000 from the Office of Children and Family Services,” said Nina, a Department of Social Services representative.

The committee thanked Don Lehman for social-media outreach that staff said has been effective. Committee members moved the item to the floor; Supervisor Runyon moved the motion with Supervisor Turner seconding. The chair called for the vote and committee members answered “Aye.” The motion was announced as carried.

Committee discussion emphasized the county’s preference to place children in certified Warren County homes when possible and to keep sibling groups together and close to their districts of origin. Staff noted the county also uses contract agencies when local homes are not available.

The vote to approve the allocation followed a routine approval of prior meeting minutes earlier in the session. No additional conditions or spending breakdown beyond “marketing materials” was specified during the discussion.

The committee adjourned after the remaining agenda items.