Do you want to find your family?
Our Kids > For Kids > Do you want to find your family?
Family Finders Program
Vision: All kids know who they are, where they came from and where they’re going
Mission: Creating hope, fulfilling dreams by connecting families
Goal of Family Finders
To identify and locate people who care about the youth, but have either lost contact or were never aware that the youth came into foster care.
Once located these individuals are engaged to explore the possibility of establishing meaningful and lasting relationships.
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“First of all we all want to thank you so much for all your time and effort finding the siblings. We have looked for some years and wrote many TV show trying to find them. Through the grace of God and Angels Our Kids was on the trail. God comes right on time. We truly appreciate everything you have done thus far. The kids and I are so full of happiness and now they can stop imagining what if’s or what might happen. Our reunion this weekend face to face was the most amazing feeling. I am very pleased with the reaction of both the siblings and myself. The strong resemblance between them was incredible. We are most definitely in agreement on our choice to adopt. Please send me the application so I can adopt. Thank you and your staff tremendously.
- Sebrina and Family.” |
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Population Served
- All children in licensed care, regardless of the case plan goal or length of stay
- Young adults who have aged out of foster care
Facts
- We are a support to the youth’s core team (FCMA, GAL, therapist, court, CLS, etc).
- We will facilitate youth’s connection with individuals who will be positive influence in their life.
- We will supervise the initial visitation and phone conversation.
- We will travel with the youth and cover expenses for the youth’s initial trip.
- Reuniting youths with TPR’d parents is not our objective.
- Permanency is not our primary objective; though always an ultimate goal.
- Information concerning the located individuals will not be provided to the youth, until the youth’s core team
- agrees it is in the best interest of the child.
Outcomes
During the first 3 years:
- We have served over 550 children and youth.
- 55% of the youth served have made a connection with a family member or someone important from their past.
- 15 children have been placed with family located by Family Finders.
Contact Us
Mariela E. Diaz, Director diazme@ourkids.us (305) 455-6000
Tricia Benyard, Specialist Central Hub benyardt@ourkids.us (305) 455-2871
Aileen Grosz, Specialist Central Hub grosza@ourkids.us (305) 455-6215
Chelly Altidor, Specialist South Hub altidorc@ourkids.us (305) 455-6244
Florence Poitier, Specialist North Hub poitierf@ourkids.us (305) 455-6243
Widlyne Lopez, Specialist North Hub lopezw@ourkids.us (305) 455-6242
Family Finders Program Funded by
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