Jumaane Williams
1:01:30
Thank you, madam chair.
1:01:33
My name is Jumaane Williams, public advocate for the city of New York.
1:01:36
Thank you, chair Stevens and the members of the Committee on Children and Youth, for holding this hearing today.
1:01:40
I plan to give this, testimony, before your testimony, so apologies, a bit late.
1:01:47
In 2023, the number of children who entered foster care in New York City was just over 11,000 with an average daily population of almost 7,000.
1:01:55
Youth in foster care are disproportionately likely to have mental health challenges.
1:01:59
Being in foster care in itself can be traumatic, and these youth have been often traumatized by abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence or substance use in their original homes.
1:02:08
These adverse childhood expect experiences, defined by the CDC as potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood before the age of 18, can have long lasting effects on health, determinants of health, can even, be more likely to be involved in the legal system and, help hurts well-being in childhood and life opportunities well into adulthood.
1:02:29
Treating youth in or who have experienced foster care can be challenging for very many reasons, including the severity and complexity of the mental health needs and the transitory nature of foster care, with youth frequently moving homes.
1:02:41
It is far too easy for these youth to slip through the cracks and never receive the services and support they need, and we must ensure our continuity of care.
1:02:49
That's why I am, cosponsor of intro 652 with, introduced by councilman Sanchez, which is being heard today, one of the bills.
1:02:56
This bill will require DOHMH Commissioner to create a pilot program to provide free mental health services to youth who are returned to their homes after, ACS removal.
1:03:05
It would also require the commission of DOHMH and ACS to work together to publicize these programs to culturally appropriate outreach and city websites.
1:03:13
Do wanna make sure I know there's some concerns about how this would operate, making sure that the folks who are closest to the ground and have the expertise are the ones that take the lead on the program, with ACS, hopefully, in a more supportive role.
1:03:25
I also just wanna say tangentially, I I do know that how difficult it is to try to find the balance, making sure you're saving lives, and also not overly punishing, particular communities by removing their children when they need to be removed.
1:03:40
I did wanna point out, I remissed, is that, I think it would be helpful if, some of the reports that ACS refuses to put out after a, child did die might be helpful in moving us in the right direction.
1:03:52
And I hope, that ACS reconsiders not releasing those reports for the public to take a look at.
