About ACS

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children, youth and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports.

Community-Based Supports

ACS connects families to community-based programs that promote child safety and family well-being. The Community Partnerships are neighborhood coalitions whose members include service providers, community leaders, and residents to share local resources and information, address community needs, design and promote strategies to support families and communities to thrive. Family Enrichment Centers (FEC) are warm, inviting spaces open to any and all members of the community. They are led by caring staff and community advisory groups to provide offerings where neighbors can connect, support each other and realize dreams.

ACS also offers child care vouchers to families in need. Learn more about applying for child care vouchers.

Family Services

ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of free services and resources aimed at supporting families to grow stronger and care safely for their children. To find services in your area, we encourage you to call the Support Line at 212-676-7667 or email Office of Prevention Technical Assistance: connect@acs.nyc.gov.

Child Protection

ACS responds to allegations of child abuse and neglect reported to and accepted by the New York State Central Register (SCR) to promote child safety. Child protective specialists at ACS respond to approximately 50,000 allegations of child abuse and neglect each year.

Foster Care

ACS contracts with non-profit organizations to provide foster care services for children who are not able to safely remain at home. ACS promotes safety and works to ensure children have the permanent loving family they deserve via reunification, adoption and kinship guardianship. ACS ensures that comprehensive services are provided to children from early childhood intervention through emerging adulthood including our Fair Futures programming.

Juvenile Justice

In juvenile justice, ACS leads an array of intensive community-based alternatives for youth and families, and operates the City's youth detention and placement continuum. 

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Agency Framework

ACS created a framework codifying our approach to our work. The ACS Agency Framework seeks to define and align the agency's priorities and to describe the culture and leadership of the agency. Highlighting our mission in service of children, youth, family and community success, the framework includes seven elements. The framework can be found below:

Principles

Protect and Strengthen Children, Young People, and Families

Through all of the work of ACS, children, young people, and families are our first priority. Services are to be delivered with respect, cultural competence, accountability, and transparency.

Promote Social and Intellectual Development

The promotion of education among all those that we serve is critical to the future success of our children and young people. From early care and education, to college and vocational attainment for our young people, education ensures that they have the skills and knowledge to succeed.

Support Our Workforce

ACS is committed to support the agency's workforce, including of our provider partners, to meet the needs of serving the children, youth, and families of New York City through the promotion of a culture of respect, professionalism, and staff development.

Collaborate with Partners

ACS cannot achieve its mission without the collaboration, mutual respect, and support of partners inside and outside of government, including provider agencies, government agencies, the Family Court community, advocates, funders, and the general public. ACS works collectively with them to ensure that we are delivering the best services to those we serve.

Encourage Openness and Transparency

ACS actively seeks input from young people, parents, advocates, interested members of the community, and our partners to inform the policies, practices, and services of the agency. To the fullest extent possible, ACS is transparent about our work, while respecting children, young people, and families' privacy.