Adoptive and Foster Support

In addition to the rewards, adoption and foster care presents unique challenges for both parents and children. The Centers has responded to this need by offering counseling services and support groups.

Between These Walls - Formed through a partnership between the Centers and the Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS), the Between these Walls support group helps foster and adoptive parents cope with their roles and spend time with other adults in similar situations. Another service offered to the parents is free short-term counseling that gives them the opportunity to talk through issues, get support in decision-making and explore available resources.

Franziska Racker Adoptive Network for Kids (FRANK) meets monthly to provide counseling opportunities and community activities for adoptive and foster children.

Supporting Success: Strength Based Approaches for Challenging Behaviors offers consultation and training services by a behavioral specialist who works with individuals with behavior challenges and their families to foster increased opportunities for success.

FLIP IT Approach - applies four steps to transform challenging behaviors, encourage supportive relationships, support emotional awareness and is rooted in best practice research. The FLIP IT approach promotes high quality early care and educational practices and has applications for teachers, caregivers, administrators, mental health professionals, social workers and any other individual faced with interactions with a child who struggles with behavioral challenges.

Home and Community Support Based Services
These family-centered services are designed to promote individual choice, independence, and community participation. They are available to applicants who have Medicaid or who meet the requirements of the Medicaid Waiver and meet the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) criteria. Service opportunities include:

Day Services Individuals are supported as they explore their communities, fostering independence and choice through participation in skill building activities outside the home such as shopping, banking, use of public transportation and the making of new friends.

In-Home Services Independence is fostered at home through skill building activities such as housekeeping, food preparation, personal care and safety, and playing games.

Waiver Respite  Caregivers are provided a break from their role of primary support of an individual with developmental disabilities. Waiver Respite may occur through three different avenues:

At Home Waiver Respite - Care is provided in the home to give relief to the primary caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Overnight/Evening Respite - Small groups of individuals with developmental disabilities can spend the night or participate in an evening recreation program with peers at a community location.

RRAP: Racker Respite Afternoon Program (Tompkins County ONLY) - Individuals attend an afternoon program at TST BOCES to give caregivers a break from their role of primary support and care provider.

Family Support Services
These family-centered services extend the opportunity for education, support, and respite to people playing a key role in the life of their family member with a developmental disability. The programs below are available to individuals who meet the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) criteria. Unless otherwise indicated, programs are available in Tioga, Tompkins and Cortland Counties.

Autism Lending Library (Tompkins County ONLY)

The Autism Lending Library includes books, videos and software as well as equipment, safety supplies, therapy supplies, and recreational supplies. The contents of the library focus primarily on autism and allow families in Tompkins County to try things out before they make an investment. For more information on the Autism Lending Library or to make a donation contact: Sheila Foote at 607.272.5891 x.11 or sheilaf@rackercenters.org.

Equal Partners Project (Tioga and Tompkins Counties ONLY) provides training and consultation to parents of children with disabilities on how to be actively involved in their child's education and build strong partnerships with teachers and schools.

Family Resource Fund (Cortland County ONLY) offers financial assistance to meet urgent special needs, for which no other funding is available.

Friendship Network (Tioga and Tompkins County ONLY) creates opportunities for individuals to develop relationships by supporting involvement in areas where they can meet people with whom they share common interests. Friendship Network works with community groups to promote independence, foster participation, and build a neighborhood where everyone is a valued member.

Parent Network (Cortland County ONLY) gives parents opportunities to share information and hear speakers on a wide variety of topics related to disabilities.

Tioga and Cortland County Recreation Respite Program  trained staff offer activities in the community to provide safe, fun, free activities for individuals while providing several hours of respite for their families.

Respite Programs  Temporary care is provided to a family member to allow parents or guardians the opportunity for a break and to pursue other interests. Both of the options below offer financial reimbursement to help cover the cost of the services.

Rest-A-Bit furnishes a list of trained providers available to support families.

Family Partnership allows the family to use a person of their choice.