DSS in Orleans County honored for being best in region for foster care outcomes

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday gave “Special Recognition” certificates to employees in the Department of Social Services who work in Child & Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention. This also includes the DSS attorney and Legal Department.

They were honored because Orleans County received the number one ranking in the region for permanency outcomes for children in foster care.

Legislator Don Allport, right, presents certificates to, from right to left: Lianna Sheffer, supervisor in Divisions of Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention; Dana Graber, DSS attorney; Renee Rowley, legal assistant; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; and Shirley Mazourek, DSSS commissioner.

Mazourek praised her staff for working towards permanency outcomes in foster care, when children cannot remain safely with their biological parents. The main permanency outcomes can be reunification, where a child returns to their biological family; adoption, where  full parental rights and responsibilities transfer to adoptive parents; legal guardianship, where care responsibilities transfer to a relative or trusted adult; and emancipation/aging out, where youth reach adulthood.

The County Legislature also recognized DSS staff including Elizabeth Boring, Jessica Czechowicz, Allyson Deslatte, Judianne Gearing, Isabella Gibbs, Saul Harrison, Brianna Heffernan, Heather Jackson, Jeannine Larkin, Elizabeth Milazzo, Sharon Nenni, Meghan Reuther, Rebecca Rinker, Julianna Schultz, Tyra Shepherd, Shelley Sherman, Holli Smith, Aaron Strathearn, Maria Strathearn and Miya Troidl.

County Legislator Don Allport presented a proclamation on behalf of the Legislature to the DSS declaring November as National Adoption Awareness Month. He gave the proclamation to Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner (center); and Shirley Mazourek, commissioner.

The proclamation states:

“Whereas, November 2026 is National Adoption Awareness Month and is designed to provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the families and staff who are involved in adoption activities throughout the year; and

“Whereas, adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children. National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families; and

“Whereas, in Orleans County there are currently children in foster care awaiting adoption. The valuable contributions of foster care and adoptive parents are recognized as they continually strive to improve the quality of life for the children brought into their lives.”