Services

Upon a first visit to Rainie’s, each child becomes the ‘owner’ of a suitcase or duffel bag to carry their treasures to their new (and subsequent) homes – no more plastic bags or pillowcases!  Ongoing support includes the provision of up to 7 days of clothing per child, 4 times a year as well as a backpack filled with school supplies once a year (for school-age children). Children are also encouraged to choose a book and an age-appropriate toy as a special memento during their visits to Rainie’s.  In addition, 2 large items are provided once a year when available — car seats, cribs, strollers, youth beds, highchairs, etc…   

Foster Parents assigned children often have little advance notice of placement. As such, they require immediate access to purchased items (Single-use/One-owner) not appropriate or available secondhand – Shoes/Boots/Sneakers, Car & Booster Seats, Personal Care Items, etc…..  Rainie’s Foster Closet fills these voids insuring a child will not go without. 

• Shoes which don’t fit properly can cause sores or blisters and at worst may lead to long-term foot problems.  
• Car/Booster seats are required by New York State law to transport a child in a vehicle until they reach their 8th birthday. While there may be some cases where a car or booster seat can be reused, Rainie’s has been advised not to participate in this practice as we cannot be 100% certain of the quality, the manufacture and/or expiration dates, or that the seat was never in a crash.  

Rainie’s Foster Closet is open

• Tuesdays 10 AM to 1 PM
• Thursdays 10 AM to 1 PM
• Every 3rd Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM
• By Appointment

For Emergency Needs, please call: 
716-465-8697

 Rainie’s is excited to host Family Fun Social Events throughout the year open to our participating Foster/Kinship families.  Watch our Calendar for upcoming events!  Family Fun Social Events such as ‘Breakfast with Santa’ and ‘Easter Egg and Basket Treasure Hunt’ provide social opportunities/interactions to encourage a child’s imagination and creativity; practice respect for others, cooperation, sharing, and taking turns; and boost self-confidence while learning about healthy emotions and relationships not forgetting to have tons of fun along the way! 

• Foster Care is a system in which a  minor  has been placed into a  ward, group home (residential child care community, treatment center, etc.,), or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a “foster parent” or with a family member approved by the state. The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. The state, via the family court  and child protective services agency, stand in loco parentis to the minor, making all legal decisions while the foster parent is responsible for the day-to-day care of the minor. 

• Kinship Care is a term used in the United States and Great Britain for the raising of children by grandparents, other extended family members, and unrelated adults with whom they have a close family-like relationship such as godparents and close family friends because biological parents are unable to do so for whatever reason. Legal custody of a child may or may not be involved, and the child may be related by blood, marriage, or adoption. This arrangement is also known as “kincare” or “relative care.” Kinship placement may reduce the number of home placements children experience; allow children to maintain connections to communities, schools, and family members; and increase the likelihood of eventual reunification with birth parents. Kinship Care keeps many children out of the foster care system. “Grandfamily” is a recently coined term in the United States that refers to families engaged in kinship care. 

• SECTION 1017 is a provision of the New York State Family Court Act that governs the placement of children in foster care. It states that when the court determines that a child must be removed from their home, the court shall order placement of the child in accordance with the provisions of the social services law.