Authorizes and directs the office of children and family services to conduct a study on the family assessment response program

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

Family Assessment Response (FAR) is New York State's alternative Child Protective response to some reports of child maltreatment. New York State enacted FAR enabling legislation in 2007, and made it permanent in 2011.FAR does not require an investigation and determination of allega- tions and individual culpability for families reported to the SCR. The vast majority of reports received by CPS are for some form of maltreat- ment, not abuse. Most of these families are not found to have maltreated their children and want the best for their children, but sometimes require assistance to provide a lifestyle conducive to this. It is an alternative approach to providing protection to children by engaging families in an assessment of child safety and of family needs, in find- ing solutions to family problems and in identifying informal and formal supports to meet their needs and increase their ability to care for their children. However, varying levels of success of the FAR program exist across the state, In Monroe County, they suspended the program after a review of the program, which had been precipitated by a death of a child in a family being served by FAR. In 2013, Erie County suspended its FAR program, because the program was found to be "seriously flawed." Yet in NYC, the program has expanded citywide. While the FAR program is the right direction for the future' of CPS investigations, it seems clear the program could benefit greatly from an expert review, in order to make it work as best as possible for all the people across the state of New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.