AGENCY TESTIMONY
Family-centered approach and visiting programs
0:11:02
ยท
62 sec
ACS emphasizes a family-centered approach in foster care, prioritizing family connections and providing various visiting programs to maintain bonds between children and their families.
- All children and families have access to trauma-informed mental health and supportive services
- Priority given to keeping children in their school of origin when safe and possible
- Family time (visiting) is critical for reunification and maintaining bonds
- Children Incarcerated Parents Program (CHIP) facilitates visits for children with parents in correctional facilities
Jess Dannhauser
0:11:02
Youth and SOPS are provided with supportive services which encourage personal growth and development, empower them to make mature and healthy decisions.
0:11:10
Family is at the heart of all of our work.
0:11:12
When children and youth need to come into foster care, we work closely with our providers so that each individual and their family members receive the services and support they need to address the issues that led to the placement.
0:11:23
All children and families in foster care have access to trauma informed mental health and supportive services.
0:11:28
We prioritize keeping children in their school of origin so that they can maintain their connection to the community, teachers, friends whenever safe and possible.
0:11:36
We also prioritize family time, aka family visiting, as this is both critical for unification and maintaining bonds and connections.
0:11:44
The ACS visiting unit regularly provides training for providers on how to creatively arrange family time so children and parents are able to spend as much quality time together as possible.
0:11:53
ACS also operates the Children Incarcerated Parents Program known as CHIP, which brings children to foster care to visits with their parents on Rikers Island and other facilities throughout New York State and the surrounding states.