NYC-WTC_000195490

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

T Adoption

The goal of ACS’s adoption services is to provide stable and nurturing permanent homes to children who cannot be reunited with their biological families. Emphasis on finalizing adoptions for the many children who I were already legally freed and eligible for adoption has resulted in a record-setting number of adoptions over the ii past five years. The Agency’s adoption recruitment efforts, including the adoption hotline, the award winning li Wednesday’s Child series, and the recently created New York City Family Album have contributed to a 54% increase in annual adoptions, from 2,312 in 1994 to 3,150 in 2000. ACS has a goal of completing an additional 3,500 adoptions in 2001 and in 2002. -

Head Start

The federally funded Head Start program provides early childhood education and development services to low-income three tod four-year old children. The program is designed to better prepare children for starting /school by working with the entire family to support children’s learning and development. In December 2000, there were 18,971 children enrolled in the Head Start Program and ACS projects funding over 20,000 slots during 2002. In addition, the agency is piloting a 60 slot Early Head Start program to provide services to infants, toddlers and pregnant women.

Agency for Child Development

The Agency for Child Development (ACD) promotes the safe and healthy development of children and the self-sufficiency of working families, by providing ah array of quality subsidized child care options. Contracted services are provided in group child care centers and family child care homes. ACD also distributes vouchers, which enable parents to choose their own child care settings and providers. Subsidized child care is available to public assistance recipients who are employed or engaged in work activities, low-income working families, and families receiving child welfare services. In February 2001, ACD served nearly 57,000 children and is projected to serve over 6'^,000 children by the end of 2002. \ \ In 2002, Citywide funding for Child care services will rise to an unprecedented $697 million dollars, an increase of $61 million over the 2001 forecast. This increase in funding reflects the centrality of subsidized child care services to the full engagement of families receiving public assistance and to the continued support of safe, ' H- stable tod self-sufficient families. This funding will enable both ACD and the Departtnent of Social Services’ ij' Family Independence Administration tb continue expansion and improvement of services begun in 2001, 'i! ' I i- In September 2000, ACS convened a committee to develop recommendations for a child care reform plan to epsure the availability of /quality care. Through an extensive planning process involving ACS staff, child care providers, privtpe funderstod representatives of several other City agencies the committee will produce a set of principles, goals and recommendations to enhance and expand child care services for New York City’s children. During 2002, ACS will continue its collaborative work to incorporate these recommendations into its planning 5 and operations.

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