New York City Council
Committee on Children and Youth
Dec 12, 2024
·
10:00 AM
3 hr 17 min
Summary
A hearing on ACS Preventative Services Programming, examining the agency's efforts to support families and prevent foster care placements.
Discussions focused on:
- The CARES model as an alternative to traditional investigations
- Family Enrichment Centers (FECs)
- School-based support programs
- Challenges in service delivery and accessibility
The hearing also considered legislation on providing mental health services to children returning from foster care and ensuring families receive information about legal counsel during ACS investigations.
Features testimony from the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), impacted parents, advocacy groups, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Stevens' opening remarks on ACS Preventative Services hearing
Council Member Althea V. Stevens opens the hearing on ACS Preventative Services Programming, introducing the topics to be discussed and legislation to be considered. She emphasizes the importance of preventative …
0:00:49
·
3 min
Introduction and overview of ACS services
Commissioner Jess Dannhauser introduces himself and key ACS staff members, providing an overview of ACS's approach to supporting children, youth, and families in New York City. He emphasizes the importance …
0:04:58
·
114 sec
Community partnerships and Family Enrichment Centers (FECs)
Commissioner Dannhauser describes ACS's community partnerships and the expansion of Family Enrichment Centers (FECs) across New York City. These initiatives aim to provide localized, community-driven support for families. - 11 …
0:06:53
·
105 sec
Child safety and injury prevention efforts
The Commissioner outlines the work of ACS's Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention, which focuses on educating families and professionals about preventing unintentional childhood injuries. - Provides education, training, …
0:08:39
·
34 sec
Continuum of child well-being prevention services
Commissioner Dannhauser details the extensive range of prevention services offered by ACS, aimed at supporting families and preventing involvement with child protection services. - ACS contracts with 43 providers for …
0:09:13
·
3 min
Family experience survey results
The Commissioner presents findings from the annual family experience survey, which gathers feedback from families who have participated in ACS prevention programs. - 94% of participants reported being happy with …
0:12:20
·
50 sec
Community-based alternatives for at-risk youth
Commissioner Dannhauser describes the Family Assessment Program (FAP) and other community-based alternatives designed to prevent at-risk youth from entering the justice system or foster care. - FAP has significantly reduced …
0:13:10
·
66 sec
Discussion of proposed legislation (Intro 652 and Intro 9-A)
The Commissioner addresses two pieces of proposed legislation: Intro 652 and Intro 9-A, outlining ACS's position and current practices related to these bills. - Intro 652 proposes free mental health …
0:14:18
·
84 sec
Closing remarks and support line information
Commissioner Dannhauser concludes his testimony with personal reflections and emphasizes the availability of support for New York families through the ACS support line. - Acknowledges the challenges and rewards of …
0:15:42
·
23 sec
Councilmember Sanchez's statement on racial disparities in child welfare and Intro 652
Councilmember Stevens reads a statement from Councilmember Sanchez highlighting racial disparities in the child welfare system and introducing Intro 652. The statement addresses the disproportionate impact of emergency removals on …
0:16:08
·
78 sec
Discussion on ACS hotline and support number outreach efforts
Councilmember Stevens inquires about the ACS hotline and support number, focusing on how it's advertised and how families learn about it. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the outreach efforts and the impact …
0:17:27
·
113 sec
Addressing concerns about support for parents with active ACS cases
Councilmember Stevens raises concerns about parents with active ACS cases who are struggling to get support or understand their situations. Commissioner Dannhauser discusses ACS's efforts to provide information and support …
0:19:20
·
116 sec
Suggestions for improving ACS outreach and information dissemination
Councilmember Stevens suggests ways to improve ACS outreach and information dissemination, focusing on collaboration with other city agencies and community organizations. Commissioner Dannhauser acknowledges the suggestions and expresses willingness to …
0:21:16
·
119 sec
Council member inquires about Family Enrichment Center attendance and evaluation methods
Councilmember Althea V. Stevens questions ACS officials about the attendance and evaluation of Family Enrichment Centers (FECs). Commissioner Jess Dannhauser and Deputy Commissioner Liz Wolkomir provide details on average monthly …
0:23:15
·
98 sec
Council member inquires about Family Enrichment Center outreach strategies
Councilmember Althea V. Stevens questions ACS officials about outreach strategies for Family Enrichment Centers (FECs). Deputy Commissioner Liz Wolkomir explains the various methods used to promote FECs and attract participants. …
0:24:55
·
51 sec
Council member questions ACS oversight and evaluation of Family Enrichment Centers
Councilmember Althea V. Stevens inquires about ACS oversight, observations, and evaluations of Family Enrichment Centers (FECs). Deputy Commissioner Liz Wolkomir provides information on ACS staff visits and reporting procedures. - …
0:25:47
·
31 sec
Council member shares observations from her visit to a Family Enrichment Center
Councilmember Althea V. Stevens shares her experience and observations from visiting a Family Enrichment Center (FEC) in her district, highlighting concerns about visibility, outreach, and accessibility. - The FEC was …
0:26:26
·
69 sec
Council member inquires about changes in referral sources for preventative services
Councilmember Althea V. Stevens asks about the current percentages of referrals for preventative services coming from ACS versus the community. Commissioner Jess Dannhauser provides the current breakdown and discusses future …
0:27:37
·
100 sec
Discussion of ACS school-based preventative programs
Council Member Stevens inquires about ACS's school-based preventative programs, seeking clarification on their implementation and effectiveness. ACS officials explain the program's structure, including its connection to schools and flexibility in …
0:29:17
·
6 min
Questions on participant surveys and introduction to CARES model
Council Member Stevens inquires about ACS's participant surveys and introduces questions about the CARES model. Commissioner Dannhauser provides information on survey administration and briefly touches on the effectiveness of preventive …
0:36:16
·
174 sec
Detailed explanation of the CARES model process
Commissioner Dannhauser provides a comprehensive overview of the CARES (Collaborative Assessment, Response, Engagement and Support) model, explaining its implementation process and key features. He details how cases are assigned to …
0:39:10
·
5 min
Questions on CARES participation and family support services
Council Member Stevens inquires about the support provided to families who decline CARES participation and the types of material assistance available. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the various forms of support ACS …
0:44:17
·
163 sec
Concerns about coercive practices in CARES implementation
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about potentially coercive practices in the CARES program, particularly regarding threats of child removal. Commissioner Dannhauser responds by emphasizing ACS's commitment to informing families of …
0:47:01
·
6 min
Expansion of CARES criteria and handling criminal activity cases
Council Member Stevens inquires about the expansion of CARES criteria, particularly regarding cases involving criminal or drug activity. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the changes made to CARES criteria and how ACS …
0:53:31
·
177 sec
Training and qualifications of CARES specialists
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about the training of CARES specialists, citing anonymous whistleblower claims. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the extensive training process for Child Protective Specialists (CPS) and additional training …
0:56:30
·
102 sec
Parental consent and enforcement in CARES cases
Council Member Stevens inquires about the requirement for parental consent in CARES cases and the enforcement tools available to CARES specialists. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the consent process and the referral …
0:58:13
·
110 sec
Data evaluation of CARES model success
Council Member Stevens inquires about the data ACS uses to evaluate the success of the CARES model. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the various metrics and processes used to assess the effectiveness …
1:00:06
·
81 sec
Public Advocate Williams testifies on mental health services for foster youth
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams delivers testimony on the mental health challenges faced by youth in foster care and expresses support for Intro 652. This bill aims to create a pilot …
1:01:30
·
149 sec
Public Advocate Williams questions ACS on report transparency
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams initiates a discussion about ACS's reluctance to release certain reports on child fatalities. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and the potential benefits of making these …
1:04:06
·
34 sec
ACS Commissioner Dannhauser addresses report transparency concerns
ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser responds to concerns about transparency in ACS reporting, explaining the agency's approach to balancing transparency with privacy protection. He outlines steps ACS is taking to improve …
1:04:40
·
157 sec
Council Member Stevens questions ACS on report transparency and accountability
Council Member Althea V. Stevens engages in a discussion with ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser about the transparency of ACS reports and the balance between confidentiality and accountability. They explore the …
1:07:22
·
3 min
Review mechanisms for case closure involving families with prior ACS involvement
Council Member Rita C. Joseph questions ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser about the mechanisms in place to review and oversee decisions when closing cases involving families with prior ACS involvement. The …
1:11:21
·
150 sec
ACS staff caseloads and workload management
Council Member Rita C. Joseph inquires about the caseloads of ACS staff, expressing concern about large caseloads potentially causing children to fall through the cracks. Commissioner Jess Dannhauser responds with …
1:15:02
·
64 sec
Aftercare and preventive services for closed ACS cases
Council Member Rita C. Joseph asks Commissioner Jess Dannhauser to explain the aftercare process for closed ACS cases. Dannhauser describes the preventive services and support systems in place for families …
1:16:07
·
56 sec
Future Force Career pilot program for young women of color in foster care
Council Member Rita C. Joseph inquires about the new Future Force Career pilot program for young women of color in foster care, which received $150,000 in city funding for fiscal …
1:17:04
·
148 sec
Council member raises concerns about inconsistencies in preventative services
Council Member Nantasha M. Williams expresses concerns about inconsistencies in preventative services provided by ACS. She highlights that families report varying levels of support depending on the assigned agency, timing, …
1:19:42
·
94 sec
ACS Commissioner responds to concerns about service provision
Commissioner Jess Dannhauser provides an initial response to Council Member Williams' concerns about inconsistencies in preventative services. He acknowledges the need for a full continuum of services while also recognizing …
1:21:16
·
35 sec
Deputy Commissioner explains ACS's continuum of services
Deputy Commissioner Luisa Linares explains ACS's approach to providing a continuum of services. She emphasizes that the variety in services is intentional to address different family circumstances. - ACS offers …
1:21:52
·
20 sec
ACS's approach to matching families with specific programs
Deputy Commissioner Luisa Linares details how ACS matches families to specific programs based on their unique circumstances and needs. She provides examples of different program types and their purposes. - …
1:22:13
·
50 sec
Provision of concrete resources in ACS preventative services
Deputy Commissioner Luisa Linares addresses the provision of concrete resources in ACS preventative services. She acknowledges differences among providers but highlights efforts to provide essential items to families. - ACS …
1:23:03
·
48 sec
Innovation and future improvements in ACS preventative services
Deputy Commissioner Luisa Linares discusses ongoing efforts to innovate and improve preventative services. She highlights the need for flexibility in funding and provider innovation. - ACS is considering changes to …
1:23:51
·
51 sec
Council member expresses appreciation for transparency in ACS responses
Council Member Nantasha M. Williams expresses her appreciation for the transparency in the responses provided by ACS officials. She acknowledges the value of the information shared during the hearing. - …
1:24:43
·
31 sec
ACS's approach to immigration status confidentiality and family outreach
Council Member Menin questions ACS Commissioner Dannhauser about measures to protect immigrant families' information and encourage trust in ACS services. The discussion covers plans for confidentiality, outreach, and staff training. …
1:25:24
·
138 sec
Discussion of Intro 652 and existing mental health services for children after foster care
Council Member Menin questions the characterization of Intro 652 as redundant, and Commissioner Dannhauser clarifies the existing mental health services for children returning from foster care. - Explanation of current …
1:27:42
·
98 sec
Proposals for strengthening mental health services after foster care
Commissioner Dannhauser outlines specific proposals for strengthening the mental health service system for children after foster care, in response to Council Member Menin's question. - Suggestions include adding resources to …
1:29:21
·
39 sec
Concerns about potential funding cuts under the Trump administration
Council Member Menin expresses concerns about potential funding cuts under the incoming Trump administration, and Commissioner Dannhauser responds to these concerns. - Council Member Menin highlights the likelihood of funding …
1:30:00
·
36 sec
Council Member Lee discusses Medicaid rates and advocacy
Council Member Linda Lee expresses her support for increasing Medicaid rates and expanding reimbursable services. She mentions her ongoing efforts and the openness of Anne Sullivan from OMH to these …
1:30:40
·
34 sec
Clarification on ACS programming and service providers
Council Member Lee seeks clarification on ACS programming and service providers. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the continuum of services, community partnerships, and provider overlap. - Discussion of the continuum of services …
1:31:14
·
3 min
Discussion on tracking systems and interagency communication
Council Member Lee inquires about the systems and databases used by ACS to track communications between different agencies regarding specific families. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the various methods used while addressing …
1:34:45
·
118 sec
Potential restructuring and vision for ACS
Council Member Lee asks Commissioner Dannhauser about potential restructuring of ACS and the biggest barriers to efficiency. Dannhauser outlines ACS's vision and strategic priorities for improving child protection and family …
1:36:43
·
166 sec
Reporting practices for child fatalities and commissioner discretion
Council Member Stevens inquires about ACS's reporting practices for child fatalities, particularly in cases without surviving siblings. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the process of learning from these incidents and mentions plans …
1:39:30
·
120 sec
Availability of preventive services without court orders
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about families needing court orders to access preventive services. Commissioner Dannhauser clarifies that preventive services are free and voluntary, not requiring court orders. - Preventive …
1:41:31
·
77 sec
Housing stipends for families receiving preventive services
Council Member Stevens inquires about housing stipends available to families receiving preventive services. Commissioner Dannhauser explains recent changes and limitations of the program. - The state recently increased the housing …
1:42:50
·
84 sec
Childcare assistance and challenges with overnight care
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about the lack of overnight childcare options for families receiving preventive services. ACS officials explain the current childcare assistance programs and their limitations. - Families …
1:44:14
·
137 sec
Building trust with families and addressing concerns about ACS involvement
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about families' reluctance to be honest with preventive service workers due to their connection with ACS. Commissioner Dannhauser outlines strategies to build trust and improve …
1:46:31
·
3 min
Measuring long-term impact of preventive services on family stability and child welfare outcomes
Council Member Stevens inquires about how ACS measures the long-term impact of preventive services on family stability and child welfare outcomes. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the current metrics and acknowledges the …
1:50:07
·
62 sec
Ensuring cultural competence in preventive services
Council Member Stevens asks how ACS ensures that preventive services are culturally competent and meet the diverse needs of families across the city. ACS officials outline various strategies and programs …
1:51:10
·
162 sec
Trends in foster care entries and family outcomes since 2020
Council Member Stevens asks about trends observed in foster care entries and family outcomes since the implementation of new contracts in 2020. Commissioner Dannhauser highlights significant changes and improvements. - …
1:53:53
·
63 sec
Funding and budget allocations for preventive services
Council Member Stevens inquires about funding and budget allocations for preventive services, including recent changes and future plans. Commissioner Dannhauser provides details on current budgets and explains recent program adjustments. …
1:54:58
·
4 min
Implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Act and funding sources for preventive services
Council Member Stevens inquires about the implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Act and the breakdown of funding sources for preventive services. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the current situation and …
1:59:40
·
124 sec
Discussion of Intro 652 - pilot program for mental health services for children returned home after removal
Council Member Stevens inquires about Intro 652, which proposes a pilot program to provide free mental health services to children returned home after ACS removal. Commissioner Dannhauser discusses the potential …
2:01:44
·
171 sec
Discussion of Intro 9-A - providing information about legal services to parents during ACS investigations
Council Member Stevens inquires about Intro 9-A, which concerns providing information about legal services to parents during ACS investigations. Commissioner Dannhauser explains current practices and potential improvements. - ACS currently …
2:04:38
·
178 sec
Measuring success of Family Enrichment Centers
Council Member Williams inquires about the metrics used to measure the success of Family Enrichment Centers (FECs). Deputy Commissioner Liz Wolkomir explains that ACS is still developing their data collection …
2:07:37
·
125 sec
Referral process and community outreach for Family Enrichment Centers
Council Member Williams inquires about how families are referred to Family Enrichment Centers (FECs) and how FECs make themselves known in the community. Deputy Commissioner Liz Wolkomir explains the multi-faceted …
2:09:43
·
157 sec
Challenges in reaching and engaging families in Southeast Queens
Council Member Williams highlights the difficulties in reaching and engaging families in Southeast Queens, emphasizing the need for targeted outreach strategies. She expresses concerns about the visibility and utilization of …
2:12:20
·
76 sec
Balancing organic growth and targeted outreach for Family Enrichment Centers
Commissioner Dannhauser addresses the concerns raised about Family Enrichment Center (FEC) outreach and engagement, explaining ACS's approach to balancing organic community growth with targeted outreach efforts. - ACS is careful …
2:13:36
·
61 sec
Council members' interest in FEC operations and future collaboration
Council Member Stevens concludes the meeting by expressing gratitude to the ACS officials and indicating a strong interest in further engagement with Family Enrichment Centers (FECs). - The council members …
2:14:38
·
22 sec
Testimony by Daphne Torres-Douglas, Vice President of Children's Village, Harlem Dowling, and Inwood House on Preventive Services in Child Welfare
Daphne Torres-Douglas, Vice President at Children's Village, Harlem Dowling, and Inwood House, testified about the challenges and importance of preventive services in the child welfare system. She emphasized the link …
2:20:58
·
136 sec
Testimony by Tanesha Grant, Executive Director of Parents Supporting Parents New York
Tanesha Grant, Executive Director of Parents Supporting Parents New York and a survivor of the child welfare system, testified in support of Intros 9-A and 652. She emphasized the importance …
2:23:20
·
155 sec
Testimony by Jesse McGleughlin, Policy Counsel at The Bronx Defenders Family Defense Practice
Jesse McGleughlin, Policy Counsel at The Bronx Defenders Family Defense Practice, testified about the importance of supporting families to prevent harm and child fatalities. She emphasized the need to address …
2:26:07
·
148 sec
Testimony by Nora McCarthy, Executive Director of New York City Family Policy Project
Nora McCarthy, Executive Director of the New York City Family Policy Project, testified about current narratives in the media regarding child welfare in New York City. She argued that solutions …
2:28:37
·
3 min
Testimony by Nila Natarajan, Associate Director of Policy and Family Defense at Brooklyn Defender Services, on ACS Preventive Services
Nila Natarajan from Brooklyn Defender Services criticizes ACS's preventive services model, emphasizing that poverty is often mischaracterized as child neglect. She advocates for addressing poverty directly through measures like universal …
2:31:56
·
153 sec
Council member acknowledges abuse in foster care system
Council Member Stevens acknowledges the issue of sexual abuse and other forms of abuse in the foster care system. She mentions a recent roundtable discussion with foster care youth and …
2:34:41
·
39 sec
Council member addresses disparities in proposed solutions and calls for unity
Council Member Stevens discusses the disparities in proposed solutions for improving the child welfare system. She notes the conflicting views between those who want more support for programs like CARES …
2:35:21
·
65 sec
Feedback on proposed legislation for mental health services
Council Member Stevens asks for feedback on the proposed legislation, particularly regarding mental health services for children in the foster care system. Various speakers provide input, highlighting concerns about the …
2:36:25
·
4 min
Challenges with agency contracts and funding allocation
Council Member Stevens addresses the complexities of agency contracts and funding in the child welfare system. She notes that many organizations have multiple contracts to sustain their operations, making it …
2:41:00
·
80 sec
Testimony by Mari Moss, Regional Representative of Community Action Board for Region 9, on ACS and Domestic Violence
Mari Moss, a regional representative for the Community Action Board for Region 9, shares her personal experience with domestic violence and the subsequent involvement of ACS. She recounts the systemic …
2:44:18
·
3 min
Testimony by Dr. Sophine Charles, Associate Executive Director of Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies Downstate on ACS Preventative Services
Dr. Sophine Charles, representing the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies Downstate, commended the City Council for their work on mental health and prevention services. She discussed the current …
2:47:30
·
156 sec
Testimony by Ericka Brewington, Client Advocate at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
Ericka Brewington, a client advocate at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and an impacted parent, testified about her experience with ACS and the mental health impacts on her children after …
2:50:10
·
3 min
Testimony by Maria Hernandez, Social Work Student and Impacted Parent
Maria Hernandez, a social work student and impacted parent, shares her personal experience of having her daughter removed from her care at 4 months old. She describes the emotional impact …
2:53:54
·
3 min
Testimony by Kim Mayo, Assistant Vice President of Community Services at JCCA
Kim Mayo from JCCA testifies about challenges faced by preventive services providers and the families they serve, highlighting issues such as workforce retention due to low salaries and systemic challenges …
2:57:12
·
154 sec
Council member inquires about CARES programs offered to impacted parents
Council Member Althea V. Stevens asks impacted parents if they were offered any CARES programs or services before their children were removed. Ericka Brewington responds, sharing her experience with the …
2:59:46
·
45 sec
Discussion on discrepancies between policy and implementation
Council Member Stevens and Ericka Brewington discuss the discrepancies between ACS policies and their actual implementation. Brewington expresses frustration with how ACS investigators interact with families. - Brewington suggests the …
3:00:32
·
34 sec
Parents share experiences with support services and childcare vouchers
Impacted parents Maria Hernandez and Mari Moss share their experiences with ACS support services, including challenges with discharge grants, childcare vouchers, and domestic violence services. - Maria Hernandez discusses issues …
3:01:08
·
90 sec
Council member acknowledges parents' experiences and expresses concerns
Council Member Althea V. Stevens acknowledges the difficult experiences shared by the impacted parents and expresses her concerns about the disconnect between ACS policies and their implementation. - Stevens apologizes …
3:02:40
·
29 sec
Testimony by Michelle D. Winfield, District Leader of 74th Assembly District
Michelle D. Winfield, a District Leader in the 74th Assembly District, testifies in support of the proposed bill and shares insights from a young woman's experiences in the foster care …
3:04:02
·
3 min
Testimony by Etopia Lane, Family Advocate with Lived Experience
Etopia Lane, a mother and family advocate with lived experience, testifies about the challenges and gaps in mental health services provided by ACS and foster agencies. She shares her personal …
3:07:21
·
3 min
Testimony by Sharon Brown, Member of the Public, on ACS Preventative Services
Sharon Brown provided disjointed testimony on ACS preventative services, frequently going off-topic and making inflammatory statements about religious groups. Despite multiple attempts by Council Member Althea V. Stevens to redirect …
3:11:06
·
122 sec
Testimony by Angela Burton, Co-chair of Narrowing the Front Door to New York City's Child Welfare System
Angela Burton, Co-chair of Narrowing the Front Door to New York City's Child Welfare System, provided testimony regarding proposed bill Intro 9-A and family Miranda rights in the context of …
3:13:51
·
173 sec
Council member's response to testimony on proposed bills
Council Member Althea V. Stevens responds to Angela Burton's testimony regarding the proposed bills. She clarifies her position and addresses the concerns raised about Bill 9-A. - Expresses support for …
3:16:46
·
21 sec
