We are advancing the following four actions as the first steps to improving care for youth and families
Child Welfare leaders working across New York demonstrate that it doesn’t have to be this way. Some counties initiated sweeping changes that led to congregate placement reductions of up to 40% in just 1 year.
Close all pre-placement congregate settings
1)
Close all group shelters and residential pre-placement centers because they do not offer therapeutic benefit and unjustly warehouse children and youth.
Prohibit placements of children under the age of 13 in congregate facilities
2)
Including QRTPs to ensure our youngest children are never left to survive in these harmful settings.
Limit “voluntary” placements by requiring active efforts to support family care
3)
Such as supporting parents, increasing access to legal services, and utilizing family mediation or community supports before family separation.
Redirect funds saved from reducing congregate settings to community-based, family strengthening supports.
4)
Use a reinvestment model similar to New York’s Supervision and Treatment Services for Juveniles Program, ensuring funds support long-term community care.