In its second periodic report, the Panel finds that ACS has begun implementing the recommendations made in a prior report regarding the placement of abused and neglected children in New York City. However, the Panel also describes additional steps that still need to be taken if children who are removed from their families are to be better served by the City's child welfare system. The Panel, established under terms of the settlement of the federal Marisol class action lawsuit, released this report one year after making the recommendations covering placement issues in May 1999. In particular, the agency has actively promoted the placement of children in their own communities. At the same time, the Panel expressed concern about the lack of an overall framework for making appropriate, individualized placement decisions.
Early indications are that more children are being placed in their borough of origin.
ACS has begun holding case conferences within 72 hours of a child coming into care in all five boroughs, ahead of the Panel's own recommended schedule. These planning sessions with caseworkers and available family members can avoid placement for some children and result in more appropriate placements for others. In May 1999, at the time the Panel issued its initial placement report, ACS held 61 child safety conferences within 72 hours. There were 324 such conferences in February 2000. These conferences are now held routinely in all five boroughs.