IN THE MATTER OF LORENDA

The record clearly and convincingly demonstrates that petitioner agency made diligent and repeated efforts to fulfill its obligation to assist respondent father to overcome the obstacles to unification with the children. Although respondent belatedly obtained permanent housing, he failed to complete a drug rehabilitation program, discontinued therapy, missed many of his scheduled visits with the children and did not, within the statutorily relevant period, complete a parenting program. The finding of permanent neglect against respondent was thus properly premised upon his failure to plan for the children's return ( see Matter of Rodney D., 276 A.D.2d 333).

The evidence was preponderant ( see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147-148) that the best interests of the children would be served by terminating respondent's parental rights so as to facilitate the children's adoption by their long-term foster mother. A suspended judgment was not warranted since there was no evidence that respondent had a realistic, feasible plan to provide an adequate and stable home for the children ( see id. at 142-143; Matter of Latasha M., 268 A.D.2d 340).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.