BILL NUMBER: S1761
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act authorizing and directing the office of children and family
services to conduct a study on the family assessment response program;
and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
This bill seeks to study the family assessment response program in order
to determine if it is working as designed, and if the program can be
improved.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section. 1 of the bill authorizes and directs the office of children and
family services, in conjunction with the inspector general, to conduct a
study on the family assessment response program.
Section 2 of the bill directs the office of children and family
services, in conjunction with the inspector general, to publish a report
containing the findings of the study. Such report shall be delivered to
the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of
the assembly no later than one year after the effective date of this
act.
Section 3 of the bill sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
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.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S.107 - Referred to Children and Families
2019-20: S.5827 - Referred to Children and Families
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed two years after such effective date.