MATTER OF GARRY

Respondent is incarcerated and will not become eligible for parole until the year 2000. Accordingly, while respondent made diligent efforts to maintain contact with the child, his only plan for the care of the child during his extended prison term was to have the child remain in foster care until his release. The record supports the Family Court's conclusion that respondent-father never suggested to petitioner agency that he had relatives in Cuba who were ready, willing and able to care for the child during his extended period of incarceration. It was not the intent of the Legislature to approve a plan of indefinite foster care for the child of an incarcerated parent who is serving a lengthy prison term and who cannot provide the child with an alternative living arrangement (Matter of Gregory B., 74 N.Y.2d 77; see also, Social Services Law § 384-b [a], [b]). The petitioning agency fulfilled its obligation to employ "diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship" between respondent and his son (Social Services Law § 384-b [a]).

Concur — Wallach, J.P., Kupferman, Ross, Kassal and Nardelli, JJ.