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ACS 101
An Introduction to the N.Y.C. Administration For Children’s Services
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Two Rumors:
ACS has CPS Workers Riding Around in Cars Waiting For Child Abuse Calls
Every Time Someone Makes A Report of Child Abuse – A Child Goes Into Foster Care
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Important Phone Numbers
SCR Hotline – Mandated -
1-800-635-1522Non-Mandated -
1-800-342-3720
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Administration for Children’s Services History
The Agency Was Created on
January 10, 1996
The Mission: Ensure The Safety and Well-being of New York City’s Children
Divisions of ACS
Child ProtectionFamily Support ServicesFamily PermanencyChild Care and Head StartGeneral Counsel
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Divisions of ACS continued
Family Court Legal ServicesPolicy and PlanningFinancial ServicesAdministrationYouth and Family Justice
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Child Protection
CPS – Child Protection Specialists17 Offices Throughout The City
ECS – Emergency Children’s ServicesOne Office Covers the Entire City4pm – 8am – Monday – FridayAll Day Saturday and SundayAll Major Holidays
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ACS History
2005 – Investigated 52,000 Reports of Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect
2006 – Investigated 68,000 Reports of Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect
2010 – Investigated 65,000 Reports of Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect
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Overview of Child Abuse Reporting
Where Do You Make The Report?SCR Hotline 1-800-635-1522/800-342-7320Run by OCFS – Not ACS
When Should The Report Be Made?
Who Can Make A Report?Mandated ReporterNon – Mandated Reporter
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Overview of Child Abuse Reporting
What Do You Need To Make A Report?PerpetratorVictimAn Allegation of Child Abuse/Neglect
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The Life of A CPS Case
R e fe rre d fo rL aw
E n fo rce m e ntR e fe rra l
C a llN o t
T a ken o rR e fe rred
C a ll R e je c ted
R e p o rt is E le c tro n ica llyT ra nsm itte d to an
O ffice in th e C o u n ty o f the F a m ilie s R e s id e n ce
C a ll is E n te re d in toC O N N E C T IO N S
P e rp e tra to r isP a re n t
P e rp e tra to ris L e g a lly
R e sp on s ib leF o r C h ild
C a ll A cce p ted
C a ll to S C R
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Computer Access and Agency Collaboration
Welfare Medicaid SSI Food Stamps Department of
Education Department of
Homeless Services
ACS State CPS NYPD DIR Database
Law Enforcement Coordination
The Instant Response ProgramEstablished 1998
The Investigative Consultant ProgramEstablished 2006
Access to Law Enforcement DatabasesDomestic Incident ReportsNYPD Photo MangereJusticeNYOffice of Court Administration
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Investigative Activities: Pre-Investigation
Conference with Supervisor and Review Prior History
Contact Source of Report Home Visits Interviews with Children,
Parents/Caretakers, Alleged Subjects of Report and Household Members, Collateral Contacts i.e. School and Medical Provider, NYPD
Field Office Process
Intake Clearance Process
Assign CPS Worker for Investigation and Assessment
24/48 Hour Contact
7 Day Safety Assessment
40 Day Risk Assessment Profile
53 Day Safety Assessment
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60 Day Determination of Allegations
Determination
Unfounded
No RiskCase Closed
Low Risk Service NeedsPreventive Services
Indicated
No Risk or Low Risk NeedsCase Closed
Low Risk Service NeedsPreventive Services
RiskCourt Mandated Services
Immediate DangerFoster Care Placement
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Powers of Removal
Family Court Act Section 1024 and Social Service Law 417 Give ACS the Same Powers of Removal as Police Officers
FCA 1024- Provides Immunity for Police and ACS as Long as The Removal Was Made in Good Faith
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Prevention Vs. Placement
As of September 2011- Current Foster Care Population –
approximately 14,168 childrenCurrent Preventive Population -
approximately 23,306 children
Overview of Preventive Services
65 not for profit agencies, consisting of approximately 200 programs across the city.
Are community based services for at risk families, and serve specific Community District's (C D)
Preventive Services Continued
Prevent Child abuse and neglectReduce the need for foster care
placementsServe children and families within
their communityPromoting the health, safety and
well-being of childrenTo strengthen and support families
FamilyFamily Preservation Program (FPP)Preservation Program (FPP)
FPP provides intensive, at-home crisis intervention and family preservation services through trained caseworkers that work with only two families at a time. This program is for high-risk families who are part of a child protection case.
Preventive Services (PPRS)
Preventive services are designed to ensure that children remain safe in the home and to prevent children from entering foster care. ACS provides preventive services as a result of a child protective investigation or at the request of the family.
Preventive services are provided directly by ACS and through a network of community-based organizations (CBO’s). ACS contracts with over 200 preventive services programs. Many organizations offer these services directly to families upon request.
Services are free. Families must have a child under 18 or be expecting a child.
Community Partnerships To Strengthen Families
ACS believes that safety and permanency for children and families is best achieved though a Neighborhood-Based Services approach that seeks to provide every child a family with culturally, linguistically, and need-driven services within their own communities.
Community Partnerships To Strengthen Families
The Neighborhood Based Services model of service delivery is based on the best practice principle that the more quality preventive services are available at the community level, the more likely a family can access services and avoid out-of-home care.
Also, if out of home care is required, a child placed in his/her community will be more likely to maintain close and regular family contact to ensure a timely and safe return home. ACS believes that strong communities promote safe and healthy children and families.
• Preliminary screening which offers assistance and information to families seeking to file for Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) petition. The goal is to help families remain together and work toward resolving their problems and concerns. This initiative was created in response to the rise in age of children eligible for a PINS from 16 to 18.
– Experienced social workers, specially trained to work with families and teens
– Offer immediate intervention to de-escalate situation and offernegotiation skills
• Offer appropriate referrals for community-based services that work with youth and their families
• Reduce the number of children inappropriately involved with court proceedings and placed into foster care
Family Assistance Program (FAP)
Head Start
Head Start offers educational programs for children age 3 to 5 and a wide variety of opportunities and support services for their families.
Some of the services include: Early childhood education Early child development services Social Services and Family Development Health Nutrition and Mental Health
ACS Sponsors more than 250 Head Start Centers
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TASA - 212-676-6001
Assists Pregnant or Parenting Adolescents who are receiving public assistance and Medicaid or Medicaid only.
Staff help parents under the age of 22 to manage their new concerns , take control of their lives and provide a future for themselves and their children.
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TASA Continued
TASA Helps with:Food Stamps and WICHealth Services for the Whole FamilyFamily PlanningParenting Skills TrainingEducationJob Skills Training
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Safety First
Mandated reporters who are concerned about the progress of a child protective investigation or have an ongoing safety concern related to a case that they called into the State Central Register, can contact: The Office of Safety First either by dialing 718-KID-SAFE (718-543-7233) or by email at [email protected]. Safety Liaisons are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Question??
In New York State – How Old Does Your Child Have To Be Before You Can Leave Them Alone?
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Answer:
There Is No Legal Age
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Contact Information
Peter Alexander, ACS Criminal Justice Coordinator
Phone: 212-341-2683Fax: 212-513-0834Email: [email protected]
