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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 111-05
March 28, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION PROTECTING FAMILIES OF CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 266-A, sponsored by Council Members Lopez, Jackson, DeBlasio, Palma, Gonzalez, James, Seabrook, Yassky, Brewer, Boyland, Perkins, Quinn, Gennaro, Weprin, Speaker Miller and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. This bill requires that the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) use systems for tracking child protective cases that treat all persons fairly and do not stigmatize individuals based on gender or relationship to a child.

"Like many other jurisdictions and most counties in New York State, ACS currently tracks child protective cases by using the child's mother's name, regardless of the mother's direct involvement in the case or investigation, or role in the child's life.  Int. No. 266-A specifically prohibits ACS from using any tracking, record keeping, reporting or data collection system that may be perceived to stigmatize a person because of his or her gender or relationship to a child involved in a child protective matter.  The intent of this bill is to provide assurances to persons who have had cases opened under their names and who may feel stigmatized by their perceived involvement in a child protective matter that they will not be mistreated as a result of the case name association. It has always been the top priority of Children's Services to provide for the safety and confidentiality of the people it serves.

"ACS is in the process of modifying its case tracking system.  When completed, cases will be tracked by the name of the adult who has been identified as the subject in the abuse or neglect case, regardless of that person's gender or relationship to the child.

"This bill will allow for Children's Services to continue their work of protecting children from abuse or neglect, while at the same time, ensuring that the children or their family members are not impugned.

"I would like to thank John Mattingly, the Commissioner of the Administration of Children's Services, for ensuring that the agency's practices continue to be carried on in the best interest's of the people it serves.  I would also like to thank the Council for their work on this bill."







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Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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