To establish permanent neglect, there must be clear and convincing proof that, for a period of one year following the child’s placement with an authorized agency, the parent failed to substantially and continuously maintain contact with the child or, alternatively, failed to plan for the future of the child, although physically and financially able to do so, notwithstanding the agency’s diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship (see Social Services Law § 384-b [7]; Matter of Star Leslie W, 63 NY2d 136, 142-143 [1984]; Matter of Walter D.H. [Zaire L.], 91 AD3d 950, 951 [2012]). “At a minimum, planning for the future of the child requires the parent to take steps to correct the conditions that led to the child’s removal from the home” (Matter of David O.C., 57 AD3d 775, 775-776 [2008]; see Matter of Nathaniel T, 67 NY2d 838, 840 [1986]; Matter of Leon RR, 48 NY2d 117, 125 [1979]).
Here, the Suffolk County Department of Social Services established that it made diligent efforts to assist the mother in securing substance abuse counseling and planning for her children’s future by providing multiple referrals to substance abuse and mental health clinics and consistently attempting to
