Foster and adoptive families who care for children who have been separated from their parents because of abuse, neglect or abandonment are especially vulnerable to reports of abuse and neglect; often experience increased scrutiny; and may be more likely to be the target of maltreatment allegations than other families in their communities. The problem of false child abuse and neglect allegations against adoptive and foster families exists in New York and throughout the country.
Under no circumstances do we condone child abuse or neglect in any family. However, we recognize there are circumstances which make adoptive and foster families especially vulnerable to reports of abuse and neglect and susceptible to misjudgments.
If you or your family have had false allegations of abuse or neglect made against your family, please take a few moments to fill out this survey to help us determine the frequency of this issue and the impacts our families.
All answers will be kept completely confidential.
New York Times Article Jonah E. Bromwich and
Lawyers for a group of New York City parents argue that the Administration for Children’s Services uses “coercive tactics” that traumatize the families it is charged with protecting.
First-of-Its-Kind Civil Rights Lawsuit Shows How Administration for Children’s Services’ Widespread Practice of Searching Homes and Children’s Bodies Without Court Approval or Emergency Circumstances Traumatizes Families and Children.
Unconstitutional Practice Predominantly and Disproportionately Harms Black, Hispanic, and Low-Income New Yorkers.
The NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is expanding its work to help parents better understand their rights at the outset of a child protective investigation. The announcement comes following the completion of an initial pilot program in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx, in which child protective specialists distributed over four hundred notifications to parents who were the subject of an allegation of child abuse or neglect. The notifications explain that, while ACS has a legal requirement to assess the safety of the child, parents are not required to let ACS into their homes and can seek the assistance of an attorney. If ACS is not allowed to check a child’s safety as required, the notification explains that ACS may seek permission from Family Court to complete the assessment. Commissioner Jess Dannhauser today announced that ACS will begin distributing written notifications to families in two more zones, with full implementation planned by July of 2024.