IN RE: RODNEY D. (2000)

Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Myrna Martinez-Perez, J.), entered on or about August 1, 1997, which, to the extent appealed from, upon findings of permanent neglect, terminated respondent-appellant father's parental rights and committed custody and guardianship of the subject children to the Commissioner of Social Services and petitioner agency for purposes of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

 The findings of permanent neglect against respondent father are supported by clear and convincing evidence that he failed to plan for the children's future by not availing himself of the drug treatment and parenting skills programs that petitioner repeatedly encouraged him to enter (see, Matter of Reggie B., 223 A.D.2d 471, 636 N.Y.S.2d 790).   Evidence of respondent father's relatively recent efforts to comply with the agency's recommendations was not sufficient to warrant a suspension of judgment.   The best interests of the children, already in foster care for more than six years, during which time respondent made little progress in addressing his parental deficits, would not have been served by further delaying disposition (see, Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 142-143, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824;  Matter of Shaka Efion C., 207 A.D.2d 740, 616 N.Y.S.2d 620).

MEMORANDUM DECISION.