This is how New York City places kids in foster care

For thousands of children each year, the foster care system is a reality. The process of getting there often begins with a single report that gets the attention of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services.

Various nonprofits have clients that are familiar with this system. So, It is helpful to know how the system works when you come across a caretaker or child who has interacted with ACS. An ACS caseworker in cooperation with a supervisor can push a parent or guardian to attend parenting classes, drug rehab or counseling. If ACS believes that an imminent danger is present in the household, the child can be immediately removed.

Under ideal circumstances, family reunification becomes a reality and that has been a stated priority under ACS Commissioner David Hansell one year into his tenure. But the history of child welfare in New York City is not easy to overcome, as Tina Brown, author of the book “Catching a Case: Inequality and Fear in New York City’s Child Welfare System” told NYN Media earlier this year.

A basic understanding of the system and the opportunities it presents to parents and caretakers to retain custody of children can help many clients. This ACS guide has all the details and the following video can give you a run-down of how the process might play out in a hypothetical case.