Parsons is the area's largest multi-services agency in Upstate New York dedicated to helping families and their children. The agency provides counseling services, parenting education, child abuse/neglect prevention and treatment, family strengthening programs, early childhood family support, special education, youth development programs, and mental health services.

We hold to the belief that every child needs a stable living arrangement and should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a loving, caring environment. Our innovative programs and a complementary combination of services are based on a philosophy that emphasizes solid familial connections.

Our work begins within the family. Parsons' highly trained, professional staff members help families stay intact and find the resources they need to maintain permanent relationships. Daily, we work with families to keep their child at home rather than in placement. When children cannot remain with their families, we strive to build strong connections with parental figures in many levels of care.

From the most intensive residential programs to community-based services, Parsons Child and Family Center reaches out to children and families, helping to assure that every child's home is safe and nurturing.

Last year, our programs touched more than 7,000 lives. Our service area encompasses a 30-county catchment area and more than 40 school districts. Parsons partners with families, schools, businesses, and other organizations to share resources and develop comprehensive solutions to the problems that threaten the well-being of families in our community.

The agency is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services www.coanet.org, and is a member of the Child Welfare League of America www.cwla.org, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network www.nctsnet.org, the NYS Children's Mental Health Coalition www.cmhny.org, the NYS 853 Schools Coalition 853coalition.neric.org, the Council of Families and Child Caring Agencies www.cofcca.org, the Council of Community Services www.ccsnys.org, and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce www.ac-chamber.org.

Parsons is licensed by the NYS Education Department www.nysed.gov, the NYS Office of Children and Family Services www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main, and the NYS Office of Mental Health www.omh.state.ny.us.