ACS - Non-Secure Detention

Administration for Children's Services

Keeping Children Safe & Supporting Families


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Secure Detention
Non-Secure Detention
Detention Frequently Asked Questions

Secure Detention

Non-Secure Detention

Detention Frequently Asked Questions


Non-Secure Detention

Non-Secure Detention (NSD) offers a less restrictive setting for lower-risk Juvenile Delinquents who have court cases pending in the Family Court.

NSD group homes house up to 12 youth, offering supportive, home-like environments and close supervision.

ACS manages a network of NSD group homes in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The homes are operated by non-profit organizations contracted and overseen by ACS.

Transportation for Non-Secure Detention Policy - open for public commenting until December 29, 2024. All comments or suggestions can be emailed to nishat.tabassum@acs.nyc.gov.

Intake and Orientation

ACS considers several factors, including service needs and family’s location in assigning youth to the most appropriate NSD group home. Two contracted facilities operate as NSD intake facilities. One is located in Brooklyn and the other in Queens. They are responsible for processing incoming youth as they await their group home assignment. All newly admitted youth to NSD participate in an orientation at an NSD intake facility.

Services

Youth receive medical and mental health screenings, assessments, evaluations, and care including medical, trauma, depression and substance abuse services, dental services, educational and family assessments.

Education

Like many youth across the city, young people in non-secure detention during the 2020-2021 school year will continue their education remotely. The New York City Department of Education (DOE) Passages Academy provides instruction according to grade-level in all major middle and high school subjects. Eligible youth may also enroll in a remote high school equivalency program offered by Passages Academy. Students continue to receive speech and language services, psychological counseling and guidance counseling remotely.

Recreation Services & Activities

Youth in NSD homes participate in a variety of recreational activities such as field trips, museum visits, book clubs, plays, concerts, sporting events, community service, and other programs in the community. Activities inside the group homes are designed to promote learning. Residents have access to educational software, books, and magazines.

Non-Secure Detention Providers

The following contracted non-profit providers operate NSD homes across New York City:

Abbott House

Sheltering Arms Children & Family Services (formerly Episocial Social Services)

Good Shepherd Services

Lutheran Social Services

St.John’s Residence for Boys

Contact Non-Secure Detention by calling the ACS Office of Advocacy

Programs & Initiatives

Adopt or Foster a Child

Open your heart and home to a child in foster care; become a foster or adoptive parent.

Open your heart and home to a child in foster care; become a foster or adoptive parent.

Open your heart and home to a child in foster care; become a foster or adoptive parent.

Report Child Abuse

Identify the signs of child abuse and maltreatment. Help protect a child by making a report.

Identify the signs of child abuse and maltreatment. Help protect a child by making a report.

Identify the signs of child abuse and maltreatment. Help protect a child by making a report.

New York City Kids are Our Kids

Get involved in the lives of children in your community. Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or coach.

Get involved in the lives of children in your community. Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or coach.

Get involved in the lives of children in your community. Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or coach.

Child Support for Employers

Get information for employers on withholding income, reporting new hires, and more.

Get information for employers on withholding income, reporting new hires, and more.

Get information for employers on withholding income, reporting new hires, and more.

Homebase

If you are about to become homeless, Homebase can help you stay out of shelter.

If you are about to become homeless, Homebase can help you stay out of shelter.

If you are about to become homeless, Homebase can help you stay out of shelter.