Edwin Gould Services (EGSCF) is grounded in a strong tradition and commitment to provide families with the most appropriate and comprehensive services possible. Implemented in July 2006, the Foster Parent Support, Training and Community Engagement Program is designed to meet the needs of the family, provide children with the best and safest placement while in care, and expedite the reunification process.

EGSCF recognizes that all families have challenging issues to manage within their individual households. The (FPST) aims to maintain community attachments and minimize disruptions in the life of a child and family affected by foster care placement intervention. The Unit also works to establish and strengthen supports for foster parents who have youth in their care.

The FPST aligns its programmatic goals with that of the Permanency Services Unit by providing specialized services that focus on the educational aspects of children and helps to build supportive and healthy relationships between birth and resource families, and the Agency.

Since the implementation of the FPST, more specialized trainings have been offered to adolescents and foster parents. Also, EGSCF case workers attend various in-house and external child care trainings, throughout the year, to increase their professional competency. To date, over 372 foster parents have attended the Foster Parent Support group meetings. Presently, approximately 164 teenagers have participated in the Teen Support Group meetings. On a monthly basis, general child welfare and special needs training sessions are offered at the EGSCF Brooklyn and East Harlem office sites.