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Q&A
ACS's response to the death of Jamik Moglund
1:20:33
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96 sec
Council Member Salaam asks about ACS's evaluation of failures in previous investigations related to the tragic death of four-year-old Jamik Moglund in Harlem. Commissioner Dannhauser outlines ACS's multi-pronged effort to address such tragedies.
- ACS is assembling a multidisciplinary expert panel to assess what could have been done differently
- Efforts include opening family enrichment centers and investing in preventive services
- ACS has reduced fatalities of children known to them by about 18%
- The agency aims to continue improving child protection measures
Yusef Salaam
1:20:33
And just one last question.
1:20:34
Considering the tragic death of four year old Jamik Moglund in Harlem, how is ACS evaluating failures in previous investigations that were deemed unfounded?
Jess Dannhauser
1:20:46
Thank you for that question, council member.
1:20:48
It's deeply important and it's a horrible tragedy.
1:20:51
We are bringing together a multi pronged effort.
1:20:55
The first is, as it relates to fatalities, we're bringing together experts in a multidisciplinary panel, the medical examiner, NYPD, medical professionals, mental health professionals, maternal health professionals, to help us to assess what could have been done differently by ACS, what connections could have been made for the family.
1:21:20
In some instances, children weren't known to the system and we need to make sure that families trust places.
1:21:26
This is why we're opening family enrichment centers.
1:21:30
This is why we're doing more preventive services and investing dollars into our preventive system.
1:21:36
We have to have an all out effort, number one, to make sure that families have the supports that they need and when children are in danger we act, we make the right assessment and we act to protect them.
1:21:46
These strategies including the panel, which will again meet on June 2, to really help us assess ways in which we can get stronger and stronger are key to protecting children.
1:21:58
We have reduced fatalities of children known to ACS by about eighteen percent.
1:22:03
That is not good enough.
1:22:05
We are going to continue to make sure we work to protect every child in this city.