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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 114-04
May 11, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES THE RESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMISSIONER WILLIAM C. BELL

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the resignation of Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Commissioner William C. Bell.  Commissioner Bell was appointed in December 2001, and had previously served as a Deputy Commissioner at both ACS and the Human Resources Administration. 

"William Bell has spent his career protecting New York's children and is leaving a legacy of excellence at ACS," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "He is a gifted administrator, a powerful advocate and a creative and talented policy maker.  Since joining ACS in 1996, William has been instrumental in making ACS the outstanding agency it is today. I join all New Yorkers in thanking him for his dedication to our children and I wish him all the best in his new endeavors."

"The past 21 years have offered me the greatest gift anyone could receive - the gift of service to the City's most vulnerable children," said Commissioner Bell.  "In the past two and a-half years, the Administration for Children's Services has made record-breaking progress in its efforts to protect the City's most vulnerable children.  This progress has been made possible by the presence of the significant political will to do so and the competence of an incredible team of managers and staff.  I am confident that these two components will keep ACS positioned as one of the best child welfare agencies in the Country." 

Under Commissioner Bell's tenure, ACS has made dramatic strides forward in the protection of New York's children.  Today there are 23,000 fewer children in foster care than in 1996, and, in 2003, the number of children in foster care was reduced by a record 14.3% to 21,829.  Foster care admissions are down significantly, more children are living with their families safely, more adoptions are being completed, and significant improvement has been made in the provision of quality childcare and Head Start services.

Commissioner Bell is joining the Casey Family Programs as Executive Vice-President and will remain at ACS until July 2004.  The Mayor has asked Nat Leventhal, Chair of Mayor's Committee on Appointments, to lead the search for a successor.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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