Will My Child Be Removed?

Most investigations do not result in a child being removed from their family.

Whenever possible, ACS will make efforts to keep families together, by working with you to find services to help you keep your children safe and well.

Emergency Removals

• If, at some point during the investigation, ACS has reasonable cause to believe that your child’s life or health is in imminent danger but there is not enough time to apply for a court order, ACS is required to conduct an emergency removal to protect the child. Generally, removals should be done with a court order.
• After the removal, ACS will arrange for you to attend an Initial Child Safety Conference (ICSC) to discuss what should be done to keep your child safe.
• At the conference, you have the right to bring family members and other supports.
• In the event of any emergency removal a petition must be filed the next day court is in session.
• You will also be offered the services of a Parent Advocate. Learn more.

The Role of the Family Court

• If your caseworker and the supervisor determine that safety interventions cannot eliminate the imminent danger to your child, ACS will seek a Family Court order to remove your child.
• If CPS determines that it is safe for your child to remain at home while the family receives services, ACS will ask for those services to be provided under the supervision of the Family Court (court-ordered supervision). Your family must comply with these services in order for your child to remain at home.
  Learn more about the NYC Family Court
• If your child can safely remain at home, ACS may offer voluntary services from an ACS contracted preventive agency or from community-based services in your neighborhood.

For more information on the child abuse investigation process, download and print:

A Parent’s Guide To Child Protective Services in New York City