Q&A
Discussion of Intro 9-A - providing information about legal services to parents during ACS investigations
2:04:38
·
178 sec
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 provides information about legal services at the onset of investigations in 91% of cases
- Information is provided in multiple languages and includes details about parents' rights and local defense organizations
- In 9% of cases involving allegations of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse, this information is not immediately provided due to the need for quick response
- ACS has an Office of Advocacy that families can contact to report if they don't receive this information
- Council Member Stevens suggests that this information should also be provided to City Council members to better assist constituents
Althea V. Stevens
2:04:38
Intro 9, does ACS provide information about parents and guardians can receive legal services, and at what point of of the investigation is this information provided?
Jess Dannhauser
2:04:48
So we are providing that at the very onset of the investigation now.
2:04:52
And so we, there's an information sheet in all of the city languages, where we have we tell families that we're there because of a concern that's been called in.
2:05:04
We share with them that the, we're asking for permission to enter their home and assess the children, that they have the right to deny that permission, that they can call an attorney at any point during the investigation, and that, if they deny that, we have to seek permission from the family court to do to continue an assessment.
2:05:24
We also provide an information packet that has the local defense organization and resources, during that time.
2:05:32
To be fully transparent, we are not doing that in about 9% of the instances that our instant response team, because of, allegations of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse, because we have a sort of a very, very consolidated process to make sure we're responding quickly in instances that that that require that.
2:05:53
It is something that we are continuously assessing.
2:05:56
But in in 91% of the instances, we're able to provide that information, and make sure that families are aware of it.
2:06:03
We are always, no matter the case, providing the local defense organizations' information to families.
2:06:09
So we really appreciate the spirit of this bill.
Althea V. Stevens
2:06:12
What mechanics are in place for parents to report if they are not given this information?
Jess Dannhauser
2:06:17
So we have, our office of advocacy, which is available, to every family in our system.
2:06:24
There also are, obviously, if they, if they that's the the key way would be to report it back to our office of advocacy.
2:06:33
Their number is included in the information packet.
2:06:36
I know you're saying that if they're not getting it, and we also publish the office of advocacy on our website.
2:06:43
My office receives calls from families, and we look at the trends around that as well.
Althea V. Stevens
2:06:50
I just wanna say, I think, you know, even council member Lee brought it up.
2:06:53
I think that we should also send that information to us because we get those calls as well.
2:06:58
I will you know, hopefully after this training, all 51 members have a packet from ECS saying these are the steps that you have.
2:07:05
This is the hotline we have.
2:07:06
These are the services.
2:07:08
I will reach out to Stephanie so we can talk about what that looks like.
2:07:12
So because I think that it's it's really important that if we have these things in place, then we should be making sure we utilize it.
2:07:18
I mean, even councilman Williams was saying, like, lucky for you, none of the city agencies do this for us.
2:07:24
We really wanna be better at, you know, having the information so we don't always have to, like, text the commissioner, like, hey.
2:07:30
What are we doing this instant?
2:07:31
And so we can be a little bit more proactive.
2:07:33
Councilman Williams has, a couple of closing questions.
