Liyan Bao, our Senior Vice President of Child Welfare, was quoted in an AP article on a recent abandonment incident:
Liyan Bao, senior vice president for child welfare at The New York Foundling, one of the city’s oldest child welfare agencies, said babies used to be left on the agency’s doorstep 150 years ago. But today, support is available to New York parents, such as a new short-term respite program launched this summer for parents facing a crisis.
“Services are available,” she said. “And I really would encourage for families in need to reach out.”
Our Strong Families and Communities (SFC) Training Center reflects The Foundling’s commitment to building futures: their comprehensive programming is designed to help peer organizations and professionals in the NYC human services industry become stronger, more effective practitioners. Founded in late 2020, the Center operates as a centralizing resource for those who are looking to gain a broader skillset, network with like-minded professionals, and better address the needs of communities.
How does the SFC Center Equip Professionals?
The Center uses a three-pronged approach to preparing community leaders to make a difference: training, implementation support, and coalition building.
Their training sessions take place both online and in-person throughout the year and are open to anyone who is interested in becoming a certified Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA). YPAs and FPAs play a unique role in the lives of people they support – they often can relate to clients in a way that makes them equipped to advocate for their needs.
These workshops are highly interactive and often involve applying concepts to hypothetical scenarios. This gives attendees the chance to practice integrating new tools and strategies into existing frameworks. While the trainings are primarily intended to support the efforts of those looking to become a YPA or FPA, they are beneficial for anyone who works in a community-facing role and is looking to improve their practical skillsets.
The group also offers guidance to organizations as they implement evidence-based models. This gives industry partners the space to ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and adjust their process as needed. This structure is mutually beneficial – providers have the chance to consult with experts, and our SFC team is able to expand their relationships within the community.
Coalition building – the third major focus of the Center – helps facilitate relationships between local leaders and organizations so that they can collaborate when addressing community needs. This is what helps the Center’s work to result in lasting change – and keep communities strong.
On October 21 from 11AM – 3PM at The Penthouse NYC (617 West 46th Street), the SFC Center will be hosting a meet-and-greet! The event will give local providers and the general public an opportunity to meet the team and build connections. This is the perfect chance to learn more about the courses, resources, certifications, and collaborative opportunities the Center offers.
Please visit our website to stay up to date on upcoming workshops and get involved.
Since 1970, the TCS New York City Marathon – the world’s largest marathon – has been a source of inspiration for runners around the globe. On November 2, 2025, over 50,000 athletes will once again take to the streets for a 26.2-mile route through all five boroughs of New York City.
In partnership with New York Road Runners, The Foundling is proud to support a team of eleven runners this year. Members of Team Foundling are committed to giving back – they combine their athletic goals with fundraising, and are currently raising funds to support our programs.
Hear more from each of our team members below, and learn how you can support them and The Foundling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Wall Street Journal reports on the psychological issues facing boys and young men today – and how parents can identify when their sons are struggling with loneliness, resentment, depression, and other mental health problems. The piece includes insights from Dr. Akeem Marsh, who serves as Vice President of our Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection and Medical Director of our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health.
“Try to empower him so he feels he’s in control of the situation,” he says, “There are so many things in their lives kids can’t control, and speaking to their parents is one thing they can.”
AM New York reports on the recent Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak in Harlem, and how public health crises such as this one could be more dangerous in the future given looming Medicaid cuts.
Kristy-Lee Jean-Pierre, Senior Vice President of our Mental Health Services, discusses how these cuts can impact families throughout the city – and may even affect their access to mental health care. “While folks are waiting, a very real tragedy can happen,” she says. “Even if the cuts don’t directly affect behavioral health access, they impact a family’s willingness to engage, because now their focus has to be on getting food.”
Youth advocates held a rally last week to protect mental health care access for children in New York in the wake of federal Medicaid cuts, gathering at our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health in East Harlem to denounce the changes.
The New York Foundling’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Kristy-Lee Jean-Pierre, warned that these cuts will reduce access to mental health services and preventive care for millions of children in New York. This means fewer resources to serve youth, families in crisis and children with developmental needs.
“Fifty percent of our kids are dependent on Medicaid to be able to access that care. So any cuts are going to result in real effects, real tragedy and real incidents,” Jean-Pierre said.
CBS News reports on our mental health services, and our May 15 community event at our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health.
Dr. Kristy-Lee Jean-Pierre, Senior Vice President of Mental Health Services, breaks down the importance of the day and the resources being offered, and the CBS team provided on-site coverage of the afternoon.
Watch the videos below:
On April 15, our Day Habilitation Program celebrated a milestone: the opening of our new Without Walls program in Brooklyn.
The center is embedded within the Vital Brookdale complex, which is home to Supportive Housing units for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as well as young adults who are aging out of foster care. This convenient arrangement allows those enrolled in Day Habilitation to further integrate into an already full, cohesive community – and creates more opportunities for connection.
The program is off to a strong start, already supporting 27 people since the program opened earlier this year and looking forward to engaging more members of our community to enroll in services. The move increases overall program capacity and features an added computer lab for those working to secure employment.
Other amenities include a lounge area, a gym with a basketball hoop and lockers, several rooms that can be used for meetings and activities, a kitchen, and a laundry area. There truly is something for everybody; the facility was intentionally designed to provide opportunities for those in the program to further develop their unique interests and skills.
Staff and program participants from across The Foundling attended the event to celebrate our new space and new opportunities for the people we support. The environment was truly festive and communal, which is indicative of the efforts staff dedicate to the well-being of those in the program.
The program itself was crafted with the purpose of creating a place where OPWDD-eligible adults could pursue their aspirations while being surrounded by a strong network of peers, supportive staff, and community members. Day Habilitation Without Walls encourages attendees to learn through immersive experiences in their neighborhoods. Participants spend their days engaged in classes, art therapy, recreational activities, sports, job hunting, and more. All of these activities help prepare those we support to better integrate into the surrounding community as they grow.
A common goal for those in Day Habilitation is to obtain employment or volunteer opportunities – which provide a sense of independence that many are looking for. In fact, the amount of autonomy and freedom given to attendees – whether in goal setting or day-to-day activities – is one of the most commonly cited benefits by those we support.
“I like to be independent,” said Antoine, one of our Day Habilitation members. “It’s fun.” He mentioned how much he enjoys being able to go out shopping or take the train.
Staff members are committed to serving as a resource, without undermining participants’ sense of self.
We implement a person-centered approach for the people we support,” stated Henry Gaston, a Day Habilitation Manager at our Herzl and Queens locations. “When a person expresses interest in developing a particular skill set, we strive to align them with opportunities that provide practical, hands-on experience, tailored to their specific learning goals and interests.”
Similar sentiments echoed by staff and participants alike reflect the heart of The Foundling’s work – which is to respond holistically to the needs of children, adults, and families we support as they work to reach their full potential.
