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Family Assessment Program (FAP)

Any family can get help from the ACS Family Assessment Program.

FAP provides support to families that are struggling with everyday challenges. FAP works to strengthen families, reduce conflict, and connect your family to many services that provide ongoing support in your community. It helps families handle concerns such as a child running away, skipping school, or disruptive behavior, without having to go to court.

Contact us today for free help if your teen is in crisis. Email FAPinquiry@acs.nyc.gov or see phone numbers below.

The Family Assessment Program: Help For You and Your Teen:

Ver El Video En Español:

El Programa de Evaluación Familiar (FAP): Ayuda Para Usted Y Su Hijo Adolescente (11:20)

View the Video in Sections:

Chapter 1 - What Is The Family Assessment Program?
Chapter 1 - What Is The Family Assessment Program?		 Chapter 2 - How Can Therapy Help?
Chapter 2 - How Can Therapy Help?		 Chapter 3 - What Does Mentoring Do?
Chapter 3 - What Does Mentoring Do?
Chapter 4 - What Youth Activities Does FAP Provider?
Chapter 4 - What Youth Activities Does FAP Provide? 		Chapter 5 - Does FAP Help with PINS?
Chapter 5 - Does FAP Help with PINS?		 Chapter 6 - Does FAP Provide A Respite Break?
Chapter 6 - Does FAP Provide A Respite Break?

FAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Click a question, or press the enter key on a question to reveal its answer.

Is FAP a good fit for my family?

FAP serves families with children who are up to 18 years old and are struggling to relate to one another. You can get help from FAP when your child is:

  • Skipping school, or having difficulties with teachers or classes
  • Missing or consistently running away from home
  • Using drugs or alcohol
  • Associating with negative peers
  • Struggling with mental illness
  • Displaying defiant or dangerous behavior

What can I expect from FAP?

FAP staff will introduce you to the program and explain how we can help. They will:

  • Talk to your family to understand the circumstances which brought you to FAP
  • Identify the most helpful and practical options for resolving your family's concerns
  • Introduce you to a range of services in or close to your home that are designed to help you

A social worker who specializes in family crisis resolution will interview you if you decide to participate.

The worker will ask questions about your family's concerns, strengths, and circumstances which we will use to plan with you and refer your family to one or more supportive community programs.

What type of services would my family receive through FAP?

FAP staff can refer your family to a wide range of therapeutic options such as:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Mediation
  • Family counseling
  • Substance abuse services
  • Domestic violence programs
  • Anger management programs
  • Mental health services

Services vary in intensity and duration depending on FAP's assessment of your family's needs.

Am I required to participate in FAP?

FAP services are completely voluntary. However, families seeking access to the New York City Family Court through the PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) system must participate in FAP before a PINS petition can be filed.

Do I need to have an open ACS case to receive FAP services?

Families are not required to have an open investigation with ACS to obtain help. However, a case will be voluntarily opened when the family is referred to a preventive agency that is contracted through FAP. A case opened voluntarily is not the same as an open ACS child welfare investigation case.

What happens if FAP is unable to resolve my family's concerns?

You can choose to file a PINS petition with the Family Court to seek the Court's help to supervise your child. FAP staff will help you file the petition.

FAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Videos

Baby sleeping with purple background on the left side with text that reads: 1, Safe Sleep, what is safe sleep anyway?
Can FAP Help When There Are Mental Health Concerns?		 Baby looking up with green background on the left side with text that reads: 2, Safe Sleep, Is bed sharing safe?
Can FAP Assist If We're Involved with the Court?		 Baby sleeping with yellow background on the left side with text that reads: 3, Safe Sleep, Should I bed share if my apartment is cold?
Why Does FAP Discourage Seeking PINS?
Mother breast feeding with purple background on the left side with text that reads: 4, Safe Sleep, Should I bed share when I'm breast feeding?
Are Children Often Resistant to FAP? 		Baby sleeping with a blue background on the left side with text that reads: 5, Safe Sleep, Why should my baby sleep on his back?
Does FAP Make Referrals to Services?		 Side view of baby sleeping with blue background on the left side with text that reads: 6, What about side sleeping? Is that safe?
Family Therapy: What Can It Accomplish?
Baby sleeping and parents arms. Purple background on the left side with text that reads: 7, How do I prepare a Safe Sleep crib for sleeping?
What Else Should I Know About Therapy?		 Baby in the arms of the mother with yellow background on the left side with text that reads: 8, Safe Sleep, What if my family doesn't practice safe sleep?
Does Mentoring Improve the Parent-Child Relationship?		 Baby in the arms of the brother with the mother watching along. Green background on the left side with text that reads: 9, If I break the Safe Sleep rules occasionally, what's the harm?
What Does "Pro-Social Activities" Mean?
Mother on her bed reaching for the baby's crib with the baby in it. Blue background on the left side with text that reads: 10, Safe Sleep, What if I don't have enough space for a crib?
How Does Mentoring Impact the Lives of Young People?		 Baby in the crib looking up with yellow background on the left side with text that reads: 11, Safe Sleep, Baby gear: where can my baby sleep?
What is Truancy?

How to Contact FAP

Our FAP offices are open to walk-ins or virtual appointments. Inquiries and assessments can be done via phone and/or video so it's easier than ever to get help. We connect families to evidence-based therapeutic services as well as community-based organizations. Please reach FAP by email FAPinquiry@acs.nyc.gov or by phone:

  • Bronx office: 718-664-1800, 260 East 161 Street, Sublevel
  • Brooklyn office: 718-260-8550, Temporary Location as of May 20, 2024: 330 Jay Street (12 Metrotech), 30th Floor
  • Manhattan office: 212-341-0012, 60 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor of Family Court
  • Staten Island office: 718-720-0418, 350 St. Mark's Place, 5th Floor
  • Queens office: 718-725-3244, 151-20 Jamaica Avenue, 4th Floor of Family Court

The email box and phones are answered Monday through Friday 9-5, and all messages will be returned within 24 hours. If you prefer to walk in, visit the FAP office in your borough between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Download FAP Brochure

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Please write to FAPinquiry@acs.nyc.gov with any questions or comments.

Piecing It Back Together: How FAP Helps