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COVID-19 General Information

Translations:

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 General Information
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
Plan for Your Child in Case You Get Sick
Parent/Caretaker Questions Regarding ACS Involvement
Family Court
Caring for Children With Symptoms at Home
Telehealth Tips
Emergency Guidance for ACS and Contracted Provider Agency Staff
Child Care Assistance
Department of Education Inter-Agency Collaboration

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Green background with a child wearing a face mask and giving a thumbs up. The child is wearing a green band aid. Text reads: Do your part to defend against COVID-19. Get a Shot. The A C S logo follows.

The vaccine protects us from the COVID-19 virus. No matter how old you are, COVID-19 can lead to complications and death.

Even if you already had COVID-19, it is important to get vaccinated because it lowers your risk of getting the virus again and passing it to others. It may also protect those around you who may not be vaccinated. Adults and children over the age of 6 months are now eligible for vaccination.

Vaccination, along with wearing face masks and social distancing, can help end the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACS's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Angel Mendoza, answers the most frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine in Ask Dr. Mendoza - Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine.

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Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 General Information

New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), is continually issuing guidance and NYC case data about this illness (please follow this link for translated DOHMH guidance). You can text "COVID" to 692-692 to receive updates by text message. New York State's Department of Health is also providing resources and guidance.

NYS Department of Health - Protect Yourself Poster

NYC DOHMH has shared the following information about COVID-19 and ways to help prevent the spread of the virus:

  • Stay home if sick: Only leave for essential medical care and or other essential errands.
  • Keep physical distance: Stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
  • Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Wear a face covering: You can be contagious without symptoms. Protect those around you by wearing a face covering.

All New Yorkers Should Get Tested

All New Yorkers should get a COVID-19 diagnostic test, whether or not they have symptoms or are at increased risk. Tests are free. Look for a testing site near your home.

For more information and translations, please visit the DOHMH COVID-19 page.

DOHMH Guidance for Health Care Providers

DOHMH is regularly issuing guidance and providing other resources for health care providers on its COVID-19: Information for Providers web page. Providers working with children and families should please be aware of the guidance regarding pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome that is potentially associated with COVID-19.

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an inflammatory response to a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with MIS-C reported to the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have ranged in age from infancy to young adulthood. Most MIS-C patients present with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and multisystem abnormalities which are usually not respiratory in nature. Rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or diarrhea are common symptoms. MIS-C is a rare but serious inflammatory condition, such as Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome.

Very sick children with a possible MIS-C case should be referred to the emergency department (ED) of the children's hospital where they typically obtain care, or to the closest ED where care by pediatric subspecialists is available, when possible. Children with an illness potentially compatible with MIS-C who seem to be doing well and do not meet criteria for ED referral initially should be follow-up solely by their pediatrician.

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Parent/Caretaker Questions Regarding ACS Involvement

The health and safety of children, families, and staff is our most important focus during this pandemic. If you are a parent, foster parent, or other caretaker, and you have a question about a child protective investigation, prevention case, or foster care case, please contact your Child Protective Specialist or agency case planner, and their supervision team if needed.

The ACS Office of Advocacy remains available to assist you by phone and e-mail. (We are currently limiting in-person contact in the interests of slowing the spread of COVID-19.)

Send a message to the Office

The Office of Advocacy provides information and responds to the concerns of parents, youth, foster parents, and others affected by the child welfare system, juvenile justice system, and other ACS services. We also answer questions from the general public. All contact with the Office of Advocacy is confidential unless there are safety issues, especially those safety issues concerning a child.

Translations Available: العربية | বাংলা | Español | 繁體中文 | Русский | 한국어 | Polski | اردو | Kreyòl ayisyen | Français

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Family Court

The Office of Court Administration of the New York State Unified Court System oversees the New York City Family Court. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Court has continually adapted its procedures to protect the health of the public, attorneys, and Court staff. Court Operations are beginning to be conducted in person for certain proceedings but the Court is still conducting many cases online rather than in person. The Court has temporarily suspended the filing of certain types of petitions, other than filings that the Court considers the most critical. As the City progresses through reopening, the Court continues to gradually expand in-person operations.

Any individual seeking more detailed information should contact their attorney if any. General information about the Court system is available from the Office of Court Administration of the New York State Unified Court System.

On individual cases, ACS and ACS provider agency staff should keep in close touch with the Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) attorney on their case.

 In an effort to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, at this time, ACS is only accepting service through email service. Please scan and email subpoenas to serveacs@acs.nyc.gov. Receipt will be acknowledged via email. Service of process on individuals should continue to proceed in a manner required by applicable law.

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Caring for Children With Symptoms at Home

ACS issued this guidance on March 25, 2020 to be used for situations in which children and youth with symptoms will be receiving care at home. All children and youth with symptoms will now be assumed to be COVID-19, unless proven otherwise with a negative test. Symptoms of COVID-19 could include: fever (temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius), cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath. Call your doctor for any questions regarding the child's health.

Translations Available: العربية | বাংলা | Español | 繁體中文 | Русский | 한국어 | Polski | اردو | Kreyòl ayisyen | Français

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Telehealth Tips

ACS's Division of Prevention Services, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity, and the Public Policy Lab collaborated with New York City families and service providers to create Telehealth Tips to guide and support the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance is meant for families, providers, and advocates.

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Emergency Guidance for ACS and Contracted Provider Agency Staff

During this pandemic, our most important focus is on the health and safety of children, families, and staff. ACS and our contracted provider agency staff are part of the essential workforce that is carrying out our mission to protect child safety and support families. ACS has issued the emergency guidance here to help staff fulfill their mandated responsibilities while maintaining infection prevention practices in accordance with City and State guidelines. This includes:

New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is also issuing emergency guidance for local social service districts and providers that is available on their website.

Casework Contacts/Visiting Homes

ACS remains committed to our core mission of keeping children safe and supporting families. We have issued updated guidance to contracted foster care and prevention services provider agencies about maintaining contact with families to assess child safety and offer needed supports, while employing infection prevention strategies.

Prevention Referrals

ACS is providing the following guidance to safeguard the wellbeing of families and children, as well as CPS staff and provider agency staff. This guidance will be updated as necessary in the coming weeks. ACS expects all prevention service agencies to accept referrals of families regardless of suspected, possible or known history of contact with COVID-19.

Visiting/Family Time for Children and Youth in Foster Care

Visits and communication between children in foster care and their parents are crucial to support the child's well-being, minimize trauma, and work towards reunification. We have issued updated guidance regarding Family Time (visits and communication with children who are placed in foster care) during this public health crisis.

Conferences

ACS and our contracted foster care and prevention services agencies hold Family Team Conferences to address safety risks or other concerns, and to plan with families throughout a case. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, ACS is providing the following guidance to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the families and children we work with, as well as our conferencing staff, child protection staff, and provider agency staff.

Placements

ACS and our contracted foster care provider agencies will continue to provide safe and nurturing foster placements for children in need, with a priority for placing children with family or friends who can serve as kinship foster caregivers whenever possible.

Foster Home Certification/Reauthorization

Guidance for Congregate Care Settings

COVID-19 Resource Request Form - updated March 24, 2020

ACS has clarified the process for contracted provider agencies to request COVID-19 Resources if unable to secure needed health and safety supplies through your own supply chains. Please fill out the form "NYC COVID-19 Resource Request Form General" and follow instructions on the form to submit it.

Provider agencies should only submit one form total. Once received, ACS will submit the form to NYC Emergency Management on your behalf. Please do not submit the forms to NYC Emergency Management directly.

NYC Guidance for Health and Human Service Providers

Mayor's Office of Contract Services FY 21 Fiscal and Budget Guidance for Human Service Provider Partners (Effective July 1, 2020, supersedes March 18, 2020 guidance)

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COVID-19 Vaccine Protocol for Youth in Foster Care/Close to Home

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Child Care Assistance

COVID-19 Guidelines for Child Care Programs
How to Reach ACS for Child Care Assistance
State Guidance and Information for Child Care Providers
Small Business and Child Care Provider Resources

COVID-19 Guidelines for Child Care Programs

All child care programs in New York City must follow guidelines issued by New York State to address COVID-19. The guidelines and information you need are available on DOHMH's Bureau of Child Care webpage.

How to Reach ACS for Child Care Assistance

ACS Child Care Operations Offices including Resource Areas are closed to the public effective Monday March 23, 2020 in light of COVID-19 in New York City.

For any ACS Voucher Child Care issues, please reach us at one of the following email addresses:

State Guidance and Information for Child Care Providers

Please find New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) COVID-19 guidance and information for child care providers on OCFS's website.

Small Business and Child Care Provider Resources

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Department of Education Inter-Agency Collaboration

Please visit the Department of Education (DOE)'s website for the latest information about the 2022-2023 school year, including health and safety measures, and learning models that are available.

Guidance from the NYC Department of Education (DOE) school personnel about mandated reporter responsibilities and working with ACS to promote child safety:

Guidance from ACS to hospital staff about how to locate caregivers for unaccompanied and unsupervised children, and initiating an SCR report when appropriate:

ACS guidance for NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) site staff about collaboration between our agencies to help meet the needs of families in shelter and keep children safe:

NYC Emergency Management and the Animal Planning Task Force have established a COVID-19 Pet Hotline for pet owners who are impacted by COVID-19 and need assistance.
Call (877) 204-8821, open 7 days per week 8am to 8pm ET. (See flyer in English or Spanish)

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