Opinion
August 31, 1998
Appeal from the Family Court, Kings County (Greenbaum, J.).
Ordered that the dispositional order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
In a proceeding to terminate parental rights based on permanent neglect, the petitioners must establish as a threshold matter that they exerted diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship ( see, Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368, 371). Contrary to the father's contention, the evidence established that the petitioners made diligent efforts to assist him in formulating a plan for his children's future and provided him with progress reports on his children ( see, Matter of Carmen N., 237 A.D.2d 607). The father had an obligation to maintain contact with his children and to realistically plan for their future, even though he was incarcerated ( see, Matter of Carmen N., supra; Matter of Gregory B., 74 N.Y.2d 77). Although the father made efforts to maintain contact with his children, the record reveals that he failed to plan for their future as he was unable to provide any "realistic and feasible" alternative to having them remain in foster care until his earliest release from prison, some two years later ( see, Matter of Carmen N., supra, at 608, citing Social Services Law § 384-b [c]; Matter of Latasha C., 196 A.D.2d 756). Accordingly, the Family Court properly terminated his parental rights on the ground of permanent neglect ( see, Matter of Carmen N., supra).
The father's changed circumstances were insufficient to warrant a suspended judgment, given the absence of any real relationship between himself and the children and the bond that the children have developed with the competent foster mother who has been caring for their special needs ( see, Matter of Shako Efion C., 207 A.D.2d 740, 741; see also, Matter of Latesha Nicole M., 219 A.D.2d 521, 522).
Miller, J. P., Krausman, McGinity and Luciano, JJ., concur.