An Idea Rooted in Passion

Fostering Change for Children, formerly known as CTWOCAT, was co-founded in 2005 through the passion and dedication of Barry Chaffkin, CEO, April Dinwoodie, CoFounder, and Doris Laurenceau, CoFounder.

Having spent over 17 years working in the Child Welfare field and holding various leadership positions, Barry knew that as a CEO, he wanted the flexibility and creativity to approach the challenges of the Child Welfare system. One of the major challenges Barry noticed as a young leader working at an NYC foster care agency was the high level of turnover. Understanding that even though caseworkers meant to do well, the lack of support and training at all levels often resulted in their premature resignation. This in return often led to children staying in the foster care system and decreasing their chances of finding a permanent home.

With passion as a driving force to solve this challenge, Barry set out to ignite something new and creative. He called April and Doris, they all met at a Red Lobster, and from there, Fostering Change for Children was born. Today, FCFC has grown into one of the top organizations tackling caseworker turnover in the nation, centered and focused around the NYC Child Welfare system.

Fostering Change for Children Timeline

  • 2005

    Changing the World One Child at a Time (CTWOCAT) is founded by Barry Chaffkin, April Dinwoodie, and Doris Laurenceau.

  • 2006

    Adoptment grows and expands to New Alternatives for Children & Hillside Rochester.

  • 2006

    1,000 workers and professionals trained on best-practice approaches to address challenges in the Child Welfare system.

  • 2008

    5,000 child welfare workers and professionals trained on best-practice approaches to challenges in the Child Welfare system.

  • 2010

    10,000 child welfare workers and professionals trained on best-practice approaches to challenges in the Child Welfare system.

  • 2011

    CTWOCAT changes its name to Fostering Change for Children.

  • 2011

    In 2011, Barry Chaffkin and Viviane DeMilly created the Children’s Corps program, designed to infuse the child welfare workforce with passionate workers.

  • 2014

    Over 135 Children’s Corps members are trained and placed in child welfare positions throughout NYC and Westchester.

  • 2018

    Fostering Change for Children supported LGBTQ+ youth through a partnership with Brooklyn Price Center.

  • 2018

    Partnering with PowerOn from LGBT Tech, UpFront participants begin receiving tech like phones, power banks, tablets, and laptops.

  • 2020

    In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children’s Corps adapts to a more virtual and hybrid model which allows for continued programing while practicing social distancing.

  • 2021

    Children’s Corps launched it’s inaugural Winter Children’s Corps class to address the ever change needs of the pandemic.

  • 2022

    Children’s Corps places its 500th corps member in NYC & Westchester!

  • 2022

    The Summer Class of 2022 was the first Children’s Corps Class to achieve 100% retention for their first year of service!