NYC Department of Education Collaboration Professional Development NYC Administration for Children’s Services Office of Education Support and Policy Planning Kathleen Hoskins, Esq. , Director January 10, 2014

Agenda ACS Overview PINS/FAP program Educational neglect Family Support Services/Preventive OSEPP Collaborations

ACS Divisions Division of Child Protection CPS Division of Child Protection Foster Care Division of Family Permanency Division of Youth and Family Justice Preventive Division of Family Support Services Division of Early Care and Education

Family Assessment Program (FAP) and Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) Differences: PINS—court proceeding to make determination if student is a person in need of supervisions FAP—PINS diversion program that provides services to families to prevent court involvement or action Mission: Provide immediate support to families in crisis. Through screening and assessment, individualized intervention, and referral to a range of community-based or contracted services and supports, FAP aims to strengthen families and help them stay together

What is FAP? The Family Assessment Program is New York City’s lead provider of assessment and diversion services for status offenders (referred to in New York State as Persons In Need of Supervision – P.I.N.S.). Status offenders are defined as young people, usually between the ages of 11 and 18 years old, charged with offenses unique to their status as juveniles, such as truancy, ungovernability or running away. FAP offices are located in each of the five boroughs of New York City either in or near the Family Court in the respective borough. FAP serves between 6,000-7,000 families annually.

What can a family expect from FAP? Family Assessment Program staff: Meet each family who is seeking help quickly, without delay or waitlists; Talk to each family to understand the circumstances that bring them to FAP; Identify the most helpful and practical options for resolving the family’s problems; Introduce families to a range of support options close to home that are designed to resolve family conflicts; Will not help a family file a PINS petition in Family Court unless all other alternatives have been exhausted.

FAP SERVICE CONTINUUM

PINS Petitions PINS petitions can only be filed in Family Court if the lead agency (ACS / Family Assessment Program) makes a determination that “there is no substantial likelihood that the youth and his or her family will benefit from further [diversion] attempts.” FCA Section 735. If a PINS petition is filed, a PINS respondent cannot be securely detained in a secure facility. A judge can only place the child in an ACS foster care setting.

Common Myths & Expectations of PINS Youth will be placed in a boot camp, locked facility, or sent upstate or out of state campus with close supervision. A Family Court Judge will order youth to go to school or change his/her behavior. A Probation Officer will closely supervise the youth by enforcing curfews, take the youth to school, and monitor peer interactions. Parent(s) are no longer responsible for the youth. Youth will be “scared straight”.

Common Myths & Expectations of PINS Families can bypass the diversion process and directly access Family Court. A PINS petition will result in the youth being monitored and compelled to comply with curfew, school, etc. A PINS Petition will always result in the placement of the youth in foster care.

Educational Neglect Section 1012 (f) the Family Court Act (FCA) identifies a "neglected" child as a child less than eighteen years of age (i) whose physical, mental or emotional condition has been impaired or is in imminent danger of becoming impaired as a result of the failure of his parent or other person legally responsible for his care to exercise a minimum degree of care in supplying the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter or education in accordance with the provisions of part one of article sixty-five of the education law, or medical, dental, optometrical or  surgical care, though financially able to do so or offered financial or other reasonable means to do so; (emphasis added)

Education Law Per Part One of Article 65 of the New York State Education Law, Section 3205(1)(c), the following age requirements apply: A child must attend full time instruction from the first day school is in session in September if he/she turns six years old on or before the first day of December of that school year.  A child must attend full time instruction until the last day of session in the school year in which the minor becomes 17 years of age. Chancellor’s Regulations A-210 (attendance) and A-750 (child abuse)

What is necessary for Educational Neglect case to be reported? (1) Excessive absence from school by the child;   However, any information the school has as to whether the absences are excused or unexcused should be provided to the SCR; and (2) Reasonable cause to suspect that the parent is aware or should have been aware of the excessive absenteeism and that the parent has contributed to the problem or is failing to take steps to effectively address the problem (in other words, failure to provide a minimum degree of care); and (3) Reasonable cause to suspect educational impairment or harm to the child or imminent danger of such impairment or harm

What is NOT Ed. Neglect? Truancy Parent refusing to consent to special education evaluations or services Parent refusing to attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences Parent dispute with school officials

What services does ACS offer to support schools? Office of Safety First Community Partnership Program Family Support Services/Preventive Foster Care Education Liaisons OSEPP

Office of Safety First Safety First is a special hotline that was created by ACS for mandated reporters such as employees of City agencies, schools, nonprofit providers, hospitals and childcare providers. The hotline was set up to answer questions and address ongoing safety concerns related to open child protective investigations. ACS Office of Safety First 718-KIDSAFE

Foster Care Agency Education Liaisons 32 Foster Care Agencies Each has at least one Education Liaison Work with schools and foster parents to ensure children in foster care are attending schools Advocate and arrange for additional remedial services for youth in foster care

Division of Family Support Services Family Support Services provides preventive services and support to families throughout New York City, through a network of community-based non profit organizations and contracted preventive agencies  These services are designed to strengthen and stabilize families, prevent the need for out of home care, expedite permanency and prevent the replacement of children into foster care

Community Partnership Program CPPs are partnerships of families, community constituents, grassroots and faith-based organizations, ACS contract provider agencies, local schools and others who are collaborating to explore, develop and implement community-based child welfare strategies. The CPPs support children, families and ACS’ provider agencies by engaging in the following activities: Family Team Conferences to discuss child safety, well-being, and permanency) ; Recruiting and supporting foster families; identifying community visiting locations and facilitating visits for families about to transition to un-supervised visits; Making referrals between preventive agencies and Child Care/Head Start providers and; Creating partnerships with local schools to identify youth and families in need of preventive and other community services.

Preventive Services ACS provides preventive services as a result of a child protective investigation or at the request of the family. ACS contracts with over 200 preventive services programs. Many organizations offer these services directly to families upon request. Preventive services are free for families that have a child under 18 or whom are expecting a child. Preventive services are VOLUNTARY! Preventive Service Search Engine: http://a068-preventivesse.nyc.gov/psse/search?actionType=search

Office of Education Support and Policy Planning The Office of Education Support and Policy Planning (OESPP) is comprised of Education Advocates and Attorneys, who assist casework staff (child protective, foster care, juvenile justice and preventive agencies) with education issues for children between the ages of 0-21. We provide consultation and advocacy services to children, youth and their families, as well as individuals from the child welfare community. School-based Support: Trainings/Coordination with ACS Divisions for school events DOE/ACS monthly Collaboration Meetings Coordination with DOE Office of Student and Youth Development

Contact information Office of Education Support and Policy Planning (OSEPP) Kathleen Hoskins, Esq. ,Director, Donald Lash, Attorney, Christopher Tan, Attorney, Roberto Romero, Supervisor, Nancy Santiago, Ed Advocate, Melissa Cueto, Ed Advocate, OSEPP website topics include: Enrollment/ School Choice Special Education Transportation Transfers (including Safety Transfers) …and much more. Email us at education.unit@dfa.state.ny.us

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