Opinion
March 2, 1987
Appeal from the Family Court, Queens County (Thorpe, J.).
Ordered that the orders are affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.
The children were voluntarily placed with the Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York on April 8, 1982. The petitioner agency assigned the matter to caseworker Ray Unger on May 6, 1982. Unger thereafter offered advice to the natural parents with respect to certain matters preventing the immediate return of the children to them. In September 1983 the agency commenced the instant proceedings to terminate the parental rights of the natural parents and to authorize the placement of the children with their foster mother. The petitions were granted by orders dated January 6, 1986. The father does not appeal from the orders.
The mother contends that the finding of permanent neglect was not supported by sufficient evidence. We disagree. The testimony adduced at the fact-finding hearing demonstrates that despite the petitioner Brooklyn Home for Children's diligent efforts to strengthen the parental relationship, she failed to attend recommended counseling sessions to improve her relationship with the children's father and her parenting skills. She also did not fulfill her obligation to obtain adequate housing for the children, notwithstanding the agency's efforts on her behalf. These findings amply support the conclusion that the mother substantially and continuously failed to plan for the future of the children and therefore that her parental rights may be terminated (see, Social Services Law § 384-b [a]). We therefore concur with Family Court in the finding of permanent neglect (see, Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136; Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368). We further note that the mother failed to keep the agency apprised of her location between November 14, 1982 and June 6, 1983 (Social Services Law § 384-b [e] [i]). Mollen, P.J., Weinstein, Eiber and Sullivan, JJ., concur.