Q&A
Discussion on migrant youth in foster care and guardianship program
0:41:18
ยท
88 sec
Council Member Brewer inquires about migrant youth in the foster care system and the guardianship program. Commissioner Dannhauser provides information on the number of destitute children entering care and the services available to them.
- ACS tracks 'destitute children', with 19 entering care in the past year
- Guardianship program discussed as an option for youth between 18-21
- ACS commits to keeping youth in care until housing is secured, even after age 21
Gale A. Brewer
0:41:18
Thank you very much.
0:41:19
I have a question in terms of migrant youth as well as New York City youth.
0:41:25
So I know well that if you're 21, you have to move out.
0:41:28
So there are a lot of migrant youth doing that.
0:41:32
There is a program called guardianship.
0:41:34
So you can go to court, sign up, and end up with kids, and I'm familiar with that program.
0:41:39
So my question is, are you getting into the system young people who are migrants or asylum seekers?
Jess Dannhauser
0:41:46
So we well, we the way we track it, council member, is by, destitute children or not.
0:41:52
And so, a couple years ago, there was about 50 young people who came into our care as destitute.
0:41:59
This past year, a 19 young people came into our care as destitute.
0:42:02
So we saw a modest but important increase in that number.
0:42:06
We're developing services.
0:42:09
They have everything that's available to a young person who has lived here domestically is available to them.
0:42:16
We are working on on permanency plans with them, school, etcetera.
Gale A. Brewer
0:42:20
Are you doing the guardianship program?
Jess Dannhauser
0:42:22
We have not gotten to the point where those young people are turning 21 with us.
0:42:25
And if they our commitment to young people is if they are 21 and not having housing, they're staying with us until Okay.
Gale A. Brewer
0:42:33
Between 18 and 21, you can do the guardianship program.
Jess Dannhauser
0:42:36
So we'll absolutely add that to the
Gale A. Brewer
0:42:37
I'm very good at it.
0:42:38
So if anybody needs help, I can do it.
Jess Dannhauser
0:42:40
Love it.
0:42:41
Thank you.
Gale A. Brewer
0:42:41
You do need a lawyer, though.
0:42:42
You need somebody legal
Althea Stevens
0:42:43
Sergeant Rams, you guys didn't add the time.