“These rates of over-investigation are state-sanctioned family policing. Even where investigations are warranted and allegations are substantiated, the investigative process is often coercive and traumatic, indelibly harming the children the…
“We can meaningfully change the trajectory of families’ lives by partnering with communities to make sure there is easy access to the support and resources families need to thrive.”
‘Four out of five families who enroll in prevention programs complete them. And, once they complete services, these families are five times less likely to experience another report of abuse…
‘It’s time we recognize that the interests at stake for parents under ACS investigation are just as compelling, with consequences that can be just as grave, as in a criminal…
When facing the possible loss of their children, New York state parents have the right to a lawyer only when a case moves to court. Even then some counties fail…
ACS says it has a plan to deal with the rising incidence of abuse incidents involving kids in foster care. But making it work could prove to be a challenge.
In neighborhoods that see the most child-welfare investigations, children hide their problems, families refuse to ask for help and chances to head off serious neglect or abuse are missed. ACS…
For years, child welfare officials have looked to better training and deeper resources to reduce mistakes in abuse and neglect investigations. But given the complexity of many cases, experts say,…
In the wake of two fatalities in early ’14, the de Blasio administration called for better reporting of abuse and neglect. But there is substantial doubt that child welfare investigations…