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Council Member Stevens opens hearing on ACS preliminary budget
3:02:24
ยท
4 min
Council Member Althea V. Stevens opens the hearing on the fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget for the Administration for Children's Services (ACS). She outlines key budget changes, highlights areas of concern such as juvenile justice, and expresses interest in ACS's strategies for preventive services and meeting the needs of at-risk families.
- The ACS fiscal 2026 preliminary budget is $2.83 billion, an increase of $39.2 million from the previous year.
- Stevens notes a 21% increase in low-income childcare voucher enrollment and a rise in families entering child welfare prevention services.
- Concerns are raised about the 22% increase in the average daily population of juvenile detention.
Althea V. Stevens
3:02:24
Good afternoon and welcome back to today's scheduled programming.
3:02:33
I am councilor Morathia Stevens, chair of children and youth.
3:02:36
The second part of the Zay committee hearing is on fiscal twenty twenty six primary preliminary budget and the 2025 preliminary mayor's management report for the administration for children services better known as ACS.
3:02:50
Thank you commissioner Jess Downhauser for joining us today.
3:02:54
We've also been joined by okay, none of the other members are here yet.
3:02:58
Oh, look at that, Lincoln's here.
3:03:00
Y'all ought to watch out for this guy.
3:03:02
If he's here, it's to start trouble.
3:03:05
Not my fault.
3:03:08
Just telling you.
3:03:10
Following testimony and questions with ACS we'll be hearing public around three, so we've enough time.
3:03:17
Thank you for all the advocates and community members who have joined us today.
3:03:20
I will keep my comments here brief and request that the commissioner keep his oral testimony brief so we can move through questions to the council member from the council members.
3:03:30
ACS fiscal twenty twenty six primary budget is $2,830,000,000 and 39,200,000.0 greater than the fiscal twenty twenty five adopted budget.
3:03:40
The preliminary plan includes increased investments in foster care and several youth programs but does not restore previous cuts including programs such as close to home and preventive services.
3:03:51
I was delighted to see that the data in the PMMR showed a 21% increase in low income child care vouchers enrollment in the first four months of fiscal twenty twenty five when compared to fiscal twenty twenty four.
3:04:05
Due to the successful outreach and more efficient application process, ACS also saw an increase in the number of families entering child welfare prevention services as compared to prior years, which means they are getting a vital support support services they need.
3:04:21
Juvenile justice is an area of ongoing concern to the council and myself and according to the PMMR, ACS saw an average of daily population of juvenile detention rise 22% in the first four months of fiscal twenty twenty five compared to the same period during what is happening?
3:04:40
Period during fiscal twenty twenty four.
3:04:43
According to juvenile detention increased by 32% between those same periods driven by an increase in arrest including ones related to gun violence.
3:04:52
I would like to learn more from ACS's strategy to stabilize the juvenile justice system and ensuring that trauma informed community based treatment is provider provided whenever possible, as well as what ACS vision is for keeping the city's kids on the right track out of the juvenile justice system.
3:05:09
You'll be happy to hear in my last hearing I talked a lot about how DYCD also needs to play a critical role in this this process and look forward to meeting with everyone for us for us to really come up with some real concrete solutions as we are seeing these numbers progressing.
3:05:26
I also look forward to hearing from ACS in dealing with its staffing issues as well as capital upgrades and conditions at the two secured detention facilities, Horizon and Crossroad, and thank you guys for hosting us at Crossroads yesterday.
3:05:39
I look forward to today's to discuss the budget actions including the preliminary plan performance metrics including the PMMR, ACS capital plan, and a vital program such as close to home prevention services, childcare, and foster care.
3:05:54
I am particularly interested in here how ACS is strategizing to meet the multi facing needs of at risk families across the city and working to increase the utilization of preventive services that ensures the health, healthy and safety and stability of families and children.
3:06:08
It is the council's responsibility to ensure that the city's budget is fair, transparent, and accountable to all New Yorkers.
3:06:15
As the chair of children and youth services, I will continue to push for accountability, accuracy, and ensure that the budget reflects the needs and interests of the city's youth.
3:06:25
At this time, I would like to thank this committee staff for their help preparing for this hearing.