NY Soc Serv L § 409-I (2021)
2021 New York Laws SOS - Social Services Article 6 - Children Title 4-B - Services; Pregnant Adolescents 409-I - Short Title; Legislative Findings; Purpose.

§  409-i.  Short  title;  legislative findings; purpose. 1. This title   shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "teenage services   act".2. The legislature finds  that  the  rising  incidence  of  adolescent   pregnancy  and  teenage  parenthood  is  the subject of a widespread and   growing concern. As a result  of  early  pregnancy,  the  attainment  of   needed  education  and  job  skills is often curtailed. Coupled with the   added responsibilities accompanying parenthood, these young families are   often locked into long term public dependency.  Studies  have  confirmed   that  up  to sixty percent of the current aid to families with dependent   children cases in  New  York  state  are  headed  by  mothers  who  were   teenagers  when  they  gave  birth  to  their  first child. In fact, the   predominant cause of welfare dependency in New York state  may  well  be   due  to  the  result of teenage pregnancy and adolescent motherhood. The   objective of this title is to increase the potential of these youths  to   become  financially  independent by helping the teenager to complete her   education, and receive sufficient manpower skills for  participation  in   the labor market.The  department of social services is not only statutorily required to   provide  financial  support  to  these  dependent  teenagers  and  their   children,   but  also  has  equal  responsibility  to  provide  personal   counselling and support services needed to strengthen  family  life  and   provide  opportunities for economic independence. In order to facilitate   accessibility to the full range  of  needed  services,  case  management   responsibilities should be assigned to appropriate local social services   staff   or  to  authorized  agencies  outside  of  the  department.  Any   reluctance or refusal on the part of the teenager to  participate  in  a   program  of  services  shall not carry any threat of fiscal sanctions as   regards public assistance benefits. In the event that a teenager refuses   to participate, it shall be  the  responsibility  of  the  local  social   services  district  to make continued and repeated efforts to engage the   teenager in a  counselling  relationship  which  has  as  its  result  a   mutually  agreed  upon  service  plan which meets the objectives of this   title.Therefore, this title provides for the establishment of a service case   management system in  order  to  strengthen  the  service  role  of  the   department  of social services. Local social services districts shall be   required  to  separate  public  assistance  cases   involving   pregnant   adolescents  and teenage mothers under eighteen years of age, and assign   ongoing case management services for such caseloads to appropriate staff   responsible  for  service  delivery.  By   defining   such   specialized   caseloads,  personal counselling and provision of needed community-based   support services will be facilitated. Such  case  management  activities   shall also include the follow-up and evaluation of services rendered.The  enactment  of  the  provisions  of  this title shall maximize the   effectiveness,  efficiency  and  accountability  of   support   services   provided  on  behalf  of  pregnant adolescents and teenage parents under   eighteen years of age, thereby reducing the long-term  dependency  needs   of this youthful population.