NYC-WTC_000195490

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES The Administration for Children’s Services’ (ACS) administers a broad range of programs with the primary mission of protecting and advancing the interests of children. The Agency investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect, provides preventive services to families and children, and when necessary provides foster care or adoption services for children who cannot safely reniain in their homes. ACS provides early childhood education through the Head Start program and subsidized childcare programs for eligible families. The Agency also provides li assistance with establishment, enforcement and collection of child support.

J' A cornerstone of ACS’s Reform Plan, issued in December 1996, was the implementation of Neighborhood- Basod Services (NBS). Under this program, children entering foster care are placed in their own neighborhoods maintaining ties to family, friends and schools. NBS promotes permanency by providing preventive services and other supports in the community. In 2002, ACS will continue with implementation of NBS by working to establish child welfare networks in each community, district to ensure that neighborhood resources are utilized to address community-specific child welfare needs. In 2002, ACS will review its agency-wide strategic plan, mapping out ititegrated goals, outcomes and initiatives for all children’s services, including Head Start, Child Care, Child Support Enforcement and Child Welfare.

Financial Review

The Agency’s 2002 Executive Budget provides for Operating expenses of $2.4 billion, $714 million of which are City funds. This is a $62 million increase over the amount forecast for 2001.

Expense Budget Highlights

Budgetary Priorities: Providing Core Services

• an increase of $23.8 million in total funds will support adoption subsidy cost-of-living increases for children living in adoptive homes.

• an increase of $625,000 in 2002 and $3.0 million in 2003 in total funds will enhance medical program serviceSi providing medical, mental health, and substance abuse assessment services to children in protective custody and foster cate. I,

( • an increase of $3.rmillion in total funds will support a foster parent recruitment campaign in 2002. This i) funding will allow for a media campaign and for babysitting stipends for foster parents. > i L • an additional $5.3 million in total funds will support specialized programs providing services to severely I mentally and physically handicapped children in residential settings. I i • completion of Renovations at the Crossroad Residence in the Baychester section of the Bronx will provide I a state of the art facility for children in direct-run congregate foster care. The eight-acre campus will I ' provide spaces for vocational training programs, an athletic center and sports fields for an intramural athletic league, apd a location for programmatic graduation ceremonies and recreational events.

Restructuring and Streamlining

ACS’ move into the newly constructed Children’s Center by the end of 2001 will consolidate services currently provided at three separate locations. The facility will house emergency and placement services for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, as well as the Agency’s child welfare training and research institute. (

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