The New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) is a New York City government agency that prosecutes parents, caregivers, and juveniles in child protective service and delinquency proceedings in New York City. ACS has been the subject of numerous civil rights lawsuits involving the wrongful removals and deaths of children as well as constitutional violations of both parents and children.
Each year, the agency's Division of Child Protection conducts more than 55,000 investigations of suspected child abuse or neglect.
In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families.
In early care and education, ACS provides vouchers for children eligible for subsidized care.
In 2017, ACS created an entirely new division within the agency called "Child and Family Well-Being." This division focuses on a primary prevention approach, with resources and services to help them prosper. As part of the division, ACS launched three Family Enrichment Centers (FEC) in neighborhoods with the highest rate of child welfare involvement. In 2021, ACS announced the expansion of the Family Enrichment Centers, from 3 to 30 sites across the City over the next three years, everything about each FEC—from the name, to the physical layout, to the services offered—was co-developed with families and the community. The FECs are open to all families in their communities and provide a range of services that support healthy child development.
In 2021, ACS created a brand-new office, The Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention, which supports ongoing child safety campaigns, including those related to unsafe sleep practices, hot car tragedies, window guards, unsafe storage of prescription medications and, most recently, accidental ingestion of marijuana edibles.[3]
History
The original logo of the agency
When the agency was first created under MayorJohn Lindsay's administration, it was known as the Bureau of Child Welfare (or BCW). In 1969, Lindsay placed it under the Human Resources Administration, and changed its name to Special Services for Children. Mayor Ed Koch later renamed it the Child Welfare Administration in the 1980s, shortly after the death of a 6-year-old in the West Village. In 1995, shortly after the murder of Elisa Izquierdo, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani made the agency separate of the Human Resources Administration and renamed it to the Administration for Children's Services.
Its first Commissioner was Nicholas Scoppetta who would serve until 2001 when he left the agency to become the New York City Fire Commissioner. In 2001 William Bell was appointed Commissioner. From 2004 until 2011, John B. Mattingly served as Commissioner under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. New York City Civil Court Judge Ronald Richter assumed the role of ACS Commissioner in 2011. In January 2014, newly-inaugurated Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Gladys Carrión Commissioner of the agency. In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed David A. Hansell as Commissioner. Immediately following Hansell's appointment, he conducted a top-to-bottom review of the agency to examine every aspect of child protective work. In December 2021, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Jess Dannhauser as Commissioner of ACS.
Growth
The agency has been expanded repeatedly, after incidents in which children were killed by their parents. In 1995, after Giuliani had previously refused to expand the agency, he created 200 new jobs in response to Elisa Izquierdo being killed by her mentally ill mother. Mayor Michael Bloomberg eliminated 169 of those jobs in 2003[citation needed]. However, in 2006, Bloomberg increased the size of the agency, in the wake of the murder of Nixzmary Brown by her stepfather. The death of Nixzmary was also followed by a spike in abuse reports, which greatly increased pressure on the agency. In 2014, the agency saw even more expansion after three children died; Mayor Bill de Blasio hired 362 new staff members, which drastically reduced case workers' work load.
As of 2019, Commissioner Hansell hired over 1,100 new child protective specialists.
Initiatives
Foster Care Strategic Blueprint: In 2016, ACS developed and issued the ACS Foster Care Strategic Blueprint (FY 2016-FY 2018). The Blueprint identified key priorities and strategies for improving case practice and results across the foster care continuum—from family reunification to kinship placement to adoption to supporting older youth in care. In 2018, the next phase of this work was in the five-year ACS Foster Care Strategic Blueprint (FY2019-FY2023). The five-year plan builds upon the progress made under the 2020 blueprint, and is informed by the recommendations of the NYC Interagency Foster Care Task Force, the findings from a major review showed ACS has increased the proportion of children placed with relatives and friends from 31% in 2018 to 43% in 2021. As of 2022, the number of children in New York City’s foster care system is approximately 7,200, a historic low.
The NYC Child Tattoo Eradication Project and Network: The NYC Child Tattoo Eradication Project and Network is composed of leaders within the ACS Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Policy, the ACS Agency Medical Director and its Office of Older Youth, along with medical professionals with prior experience in tattoo removal. The network was first developed when ACS learned of a vulnerable teen whose pimp's initials had been tattooed onto her forehead. Seeking a solution that would provide physical and emotional support to the teen and to others in similar situations, ACS professionals sought the expertise and contributions of medical professionals with prior experience in tattoo removal. The providers who expressed interest in contributing their time and expertise joined the Network. The NYC Child Tattoo Eradication Network is operated by ACS’ Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Policy, with several goals in mind. First, to ensure that all ACS involved youth have the opportunity to safely remove exploiter or gang brandings. Second, to reduce trauma by connecting medical providers with case planners and youth to provide an opportunity for shared discussion of situational understanding and to provide tattoo removal in a trauma informed, and physically and emotionally safe environment. Third, to provide training to medical providers on trafficking and gang dynamics to enhance their knowledge of, and empathy for branded youth.
Close to Home: The Close to Home program allows young people found to need a period of out-of-home placement by the Family Court to be placed in residential programs closer to their families and communities. Under Close to Home, young people receive therapeutic services at small group homes in or near the five boroughs where they are close to resources that can support their treatment and transition back into their communities.
ACSConnectME: ACSConnectME is a mobile website for youth in foster care, foster parents, adoptive parents, families and child welfare professionals. The site provides users with greater access to information about services and resources across ACS, other government agencies and more. Users can search for the services that are right for them (education, housing, parenting support, etc.) in the location in which they reside. ACSConnectMe is the brainchild of a former foster youth who pitched the idea at a NYC Foster Care Technology & Policy Hackathon sponsored by ACS, after explaining the need to more easily access resources about education, housing and more all in one place.
JustUs is an ACS diversion program, New York City’s first-ever gender-responsive diversion program for girls and lesbian, gay, bisexual/transgender and gender non- conforming (LGB/TGNCNB) youth, ages 12-18, who are involved or at high risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. The program is in partnership with the nonprofit Rising Ground and Girls for Gender Equity.
Group Attachment Based Intervention: ACS entered into a partnership with the Group Attachment Based Intervention (GABI) model through Montefiore Hospital and over the years has expanded this model across the entire city. GABI helps caregivers build strong bonds with their young children and foster their healthy development. The program provides clinician-facilitated play therapy, allowing parents to strengthen attachment with their children, which research demonstrates reduces the risks of child maltreatment. The program also provides parents one-on-one clinical sessions and peer support through parent groups.
Fair Futures: Fair Futures, launched in 2019, and is a groundbreaking, first of its kind public-private partnership, that provides dedicated coaches, tutors and education, employment and housing specialists for youth in foster care ages 11 to 21. New York City is the first jurisdiction in the nation to implement an initiative for youth in foster care of this breadth and scale. Since the program’s launch, thousands of youth in foster care have been supported. Fair Futures is a coalition of child welfare agencies, nonprofits, foundations and advocates working together to help ensure the future success of young people.
Support for LGBTQ Youth: The LGBTQ Office was established in September of 2012 and is composed of a team of leading experts who support the system-wide implementation of the agency’s LGBTQ policies and best practices. This Office has developed a national LGBTQ policy and practice model, which has resulted in critical service delivery improvements for LGBTQ stakeholders. Specifically, this model included developing one of the nation’s most progressive LGBTQ policies, designing model training curricula for thousands of ACS and provider staff, implementing a reporting and monitoring system to identify policy gaps, engaging community stakeholders for ongoing feedback, and offering a wealth of resources to equip staff with the necessary skills to address the specific needs of LGBTQ children and youth. In 2020 ACS created the LGBTQAI+ Action Plan to Strengthen Services and Supports for LGBTQAI+ Youth in Foster Care. The multi-pronged action plan includes the creation of a dedicated LGBTQAI+ Committee as part of the ACS Youth Leadership Council; expanding recruitment targeting foster parents interested in fostering LGBTQAI+ youth; revising and strengthening staff training on LGBTQAI+ issues; increasing services and supports for LGBTQAI+ youth in foster care; and more.
On January 6, 2020, the agency unveiled a new text logo which simply reads "NYC Children." The new logo emphasized the agency's mission to protect and support children and their families, as well as to maintain consistency with the branding of other New York City agencies; for example, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's logo reads "NYC Health" and the Department of Buildings' logo reads "NYC Buildings." The agency's press release noted that this was their first branding change since 1995.
Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a "foster parent", or with a family member approved by the state. The placement of a "foster child" is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. The institution, group home, or foster parent is compensated for expenses unless with a family member.
The United States Children's Bureau is a federal agency organized under the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. Today, the bureau's operations involve improving child abuse prevention, foster care, and adoption. Historically, its work was much broader, as shown by the 1912 act which created and funded it:
The said bureau shall investigate and report to [the Department of Commerce and Labor] upon all matters pertaining to the welfare of children and child life among all classes of our people, and shall especially investigate the questions of infant mortality, the birth-rate, orphanage, juvenile courts, desertion, dangerous occupations, accidents and diseases of children, employment, legislation affecting children in the several states and territories.
The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded in 1874. It is the world's first child protective agency. It is sometimes called the Gerry Society after one of its co-founders, Elbridge Thomas Gerry. It is commonly seen as having played a key role in the development of children's rights and child protective services in the English-speaking world. Today it offers support and advocacy for high-risk and abused children, parental skills classes, and professional training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) is a non-governmental charitable organization with offices in Boston and throughout Massachusetts which seeks to strengthen families and prevent child abuse through essential child welfare and mental health treatment and effective public advocacy.
Child protective services (CPS) is the name of an agency in many U.S. states responsible for providing child protection, which includes responding to reports of child abuse or neglect. Some states use other names, often attempting to reflect more family-centered practices, such as department of children and family services (DCFS). CPS is also sometimes known by the name of department of social services, though these terms more often have a broader meaning.
The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 aims to assist youth aging out of foster care in the United States in obtaining and maintaining independent living skills. Youth aging out of foster care, or transitioning out of the formal foster care system, are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. As youth age out of the foster care system at age 18, they are expected to become self-sufficient immediately, even though on average youth in the United States are not expected to reach self-sufficiency until age 26.
Gladys Carrión is an Adjunct Research Scholar with Columbia University's Justice Lab. She was the Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) until 2017 and a nationally recognized advocate for improving child well-being.
The New York Foundling, founded in 1869 by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity, is one of New York City's oldest and largest child welfare agencies. The Foundling operates programs in the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland County, and Puerto Rico. Its services include foster care, adoptions, educational programs, mental health services, and many other community-based services for children, families, and adults.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an agency of the New York state government within the Department of Family Assistance. The office has its headquarters in the Capital View Office Park in Rensselaer.
Union Settlement is one of the oldest settlement houses in New York City, providing community-based services and programs that support the immigrant and low-income residents of East Harlem since 1895. It is East Harlem's largest social service agency and serves 15,000 people annually through programs including early childhood education, youth services, senior services, adult education, mental health, small business development and community outreach.
The Human Resources Administration or Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS) is the department of the government of New York City in charge of the majority of the city's social services programs. HRA helps New Yorkers in need through a variety of services that promote employment and personal responsibility while providing temporary assistance and work supports. Its regulations are compiled in title 68 of the New York City Rules. The current Commissioner of HRA is Molly Wasow Park, who was appointed to the position by Mayor Eric Adams. HRA is the largest city social services agency in the United States. It has a budget of $9.7 billion, employs over 14,000 people, and serves over 3 million New Yorkers.
Forestdale, Inc. is a non-profit agency that provides foster care, preventive and other family services in New York City. It is located in the Forest Hills section of Queens.
David A. Hansell is an American advocate and expert on public policy and programs that provide assistance to vulnerable populations. He started his career in public service in the late 1980s as an advocate for New York City's HIV-positive population. He then joined the City government, where he was quickly recognized for his talent for modernizing government programs, and developing innovative methods for creating economic opportunities and sustainable supports for poor and working-class families.
New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) is a not-for-profit organization which helps people who have aged out of the foster care system. Founded in 1996 by Nicholas Scoppetta in Manhattan, New York, the organization focuses on the academic success of foster children. NYFC's goal is to help all the youths in the foster care system to succeed academically and with equal opportunity in the workforce. With their partner Administration for Children's Services (ACS), NYFC is able to provide school supplies, access to academic counselling, job opportunities, access to schools, as well as financial support to keep them in school.
Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) is a human services non-profit organization sponsored by the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York with programs to help members of the disadvantaged population in the New York metropolitan area.
Gerald P. Mallon is an American writer and social worker who focuses on LGBTQ+ family issues. He is currently the Julia Lathrop Professor of Child Welfare and Former Associate Dean of Scholarship and Research at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, City University of New York. He is also the director of the National Center for Child Welfare Excellence and an adoptive parent.
Graham Windham is a private nonprofit in New York City that provides services to children and families. It was founded in 1806 by several prominent women, most notably Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Since 2015, the organization has gained renewed attention because of the success of the Broadway musical Hamilton, in which the character of Eliza Hamilton describes the orphanage as her proudest achievement.
David Fair is an American activist who has been a leader in the labor, LGBT, AIDS, homeless and child advocacy movements in Philadelphia, PA since the 1970s. He has founded or co-founded several advocacy and service organizations, including the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force (1977), the Philadelphia Gay Cultural Festival (1978), Lavender Health (1979), the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Union of the Homeless (1985), Philly Homes 4 Youth (2017), and the Philadelphia Coalition on Opioids and Children (2018), and led the creation of numerous local government health and human service initiatives, including the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (1987) and the Division of Community-Based Prevention Services (2001), the Parenting Collaborative (2003), and the Quality Parenting Initiative (2014) for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services.
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago is a policy research institution at the University of Chicago that focuses on child welfare and family well-being. Chapin Hall is funded through social service systems, foundations, and non-profit organizations. The organization's focus areas include child welfare and foster care systems, youth homelessness, and community capacity to support children, youth, and families. Chapin Hall is an affiliated research center of the University of Chicago.
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