In re Juanita H.
—Order of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Sara Schechter, J.), entered on or about April 22, 1996, which terminated parental rights upon a finding of neglect and committed custody and guardianship of the subject child to the
Despite the agency’s fulfillment of its statutory obligation to exert diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship by providing persistent casework counseling and referrals, the evidence is clear that respondent has failed to understand and respond to the child’s needs and problems, has not sufficiently overcome the problems that led to the child’s initial placement into foster care, and thus, has failed to plan for the return of the child within the meaning of the Social Services Law (see, Matter of Sonia H.,
Finally, the evidence amply supports the conclusion reached by the Family Court that adoption by the child’s foster parents is in the best interests of the child. The child has become more fearful of respondent and resistance to visitation or contact with her has manifested itself in both physical and psychological problems. To continue the child in foster care after so many years, as respondent suggests, would only prolong a situation of uncertainty (see, Matter of Charles Clarence C.,