Series: Committee Files Box# 050115 Folder# 5 CHILDREN'S SERVICES TO PROTECT AND SERVE CITY YOUTHTHE COUNCIL ‘The City of New York Int. No. 788 May 22, 1996 Introduced by Council Members Pinkett, Pagan, Powell [V and Eristoff (by the request of the Mayor) ~ read and refered tothe Committe on Governmental Operations. A LOCAL LAW To amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to creating an administration for children's services to protect and service the city's youth, Be it enacted by the Council as fllows: Section 1. Declaration of legislative findings. The children of New York are the City's most precious resource. The protection of children from abuse and neglect, the Provision of preventative services to families to maintain the safety of children and to keep families together, and the provision of children with safe, nurturing and appropriate foster care or adoptive homes where necessary are among the most important duties ofthe City. ‘The Mayor and the City Council have determined that the task of providing services to the City's children would best be served by the ereation ofa freestanding agency that would focus solely on the needs of the children. To this end, Mayor Giuliani issued Executive Order Number 26 on January 11, 1996 ereating the Administration for ‘Children's Services (ACS) and separating the performance of child related services from the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the City Departmentof Socal Services (CDSS). The Mayor and the Council have determined to formalize the creation of the new ‘Administration by amending the Charter andthe Administrative Code of the Cty of New York. ACS wil be comprised of three divisions formerly administered by HRAICDSS: the Child Welfare Administration, the Agency for Child Development, which administered the City’s Head Start early childhood education program and the City’s day care services, and the Office of Child Support Enforcement. ACS will ring these functions together in 4 single entity which will fully integrate these programs to advance the interests of2 children. Common elements and strengths among these programs will be identified to ‘most effectively and efficiently service children in need, The enabling legislation will fant full independence from HRA and CDSS, including al State and Federal claiming uthority and full egal, investigative and support staffing. ‘ACS's mission is defined as providing forthe safety, care and nurturing of children To fulfil this mission, ACS wil be fully responsible for protecting children from abuse and neglect, including assisting families at risk by addressing the causes of abuse and neglect. When preventive services cannot redress the causes of family neglect, removal of the child, either temporarily in foster care or permanently through adoption will occur. ‘ACS will assist in bringing to justice any person who criminally injures a child Beyond protecting children in their homes, the Administrations purpose is to provide opportunites for children's growth and development. Day care services will e used as a Point of contact to begin a life of educational opportunity for young children of failies jn need, and the Head Start program will continue to serve that function ina continuum of care until children reach school age. The Office of Child Support Enforcement will ‘aggressively pursue financial support from non-custodial parents who fai to provide for their children, Through this legislation, the Council and the Mayor intend to implement a comprehensive policy on childrens services by creating an agency with an identifiable mission and stated goals. § 2. Section 603 ofthe New York city charter, as amended by loal law number 51 forthe year 1993, is amended to read as follows: § 603, Powers and duties. Except as otherwise provided in [chapter] chapters 24-A ‘and 24-B, the commissioner shall have the powers and perform the duties of @ commissioner of social services under the social services law, provided that no form of ‘outdoor relief shall be dispensed by the ety except under the provisions of sate or local ‘aw which specifically provide the method, manner and conditions of dispensing the same. § 3. The New York city charter is amended by adding a new chapter 24-B to read as follows: CHAPTER 24-8 ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES