report: window open for reform in nYC family courtFewer Child Protective Cases, Additional New Judges Cited as Factors That Could Unclog a System Steeped in a "Culture of Delay" |
Delay and dysfunction have long plagued child protective cases in New York City Family Court, exacting a distressing toll on the families involveda—a major reason why the Court has been called “the saddest place in New York.” Nevertheless, a new report released by the Center for New York City Affairs (CNYCA) at The New School identifies cautious reasons for hope in the Court's child protective operations. The report from CNYCA's Childwelfare Watch, “Is Reform Finally Coming to New York City Family Court?," points to:
The report, authored by Abigail Kramer, also looks at other factors, including often badly designed and executed services plans for families enmeshed in court proceedings, that need to be improved in order to lower the human costs in child protective cases. “Our investigation found that for too long, a culture of delay has permeated the Family Court’s child protective proceedings,” Kramer, an editor and journalist at CNYCA, said. “That adds heavy burdens to families who in many cases are already contending with poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and other grave problems. “The hopeful news is that, capitalizing on the decrease in child protective cases and increase in new judges, Family Court administrators are working to streamline child protective proceedings,” said Kristin Morse, executive director of CNYCA. “While faster results may not necessarily be better in every case, this commitment to reform has the potential to ease the grinding delays imposed on families coming before the Court.” A new pilot program in the Bronx, also profiled in the report, focuses on crafting faster, and better, outcomes in cases involving infants and toddlers in child protective cases. Proponents of this model hope that it can be implemented across the Family Court system. To read the full report, visit The Center for New York City Affairs website. |
|
The Center for New York City Affairs at The New School is an applied policy research institute that drives innovation in social policy. It works where people’s lives intersect with government and community organizations. Child Welfare Watch is a project of the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School that provides in-depth investigative reporting, news and analysis on children and family services in New York and beyond. It tracks the real-life impact of public policy and reform initiatives on families and the people who work with them. Its groundbreaking coverage has contributed to the creation of more responsive, more effective child and family services systems in New York. Learn more at centernyc.org. Founded in 1919, The New School was born out of principles of academic freedom, tolerance, and experimentation. Committed to social engagement, The New School today remains in the vanguard of innovation in higher education, with more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students challenging the status quo in design and the social sciences, liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. The New School welcomes thousands of adult learners annually for continuing education courses and calendar of lectures, screenings, readings, and concerts. Through its online learning portals, research institutes, and international partnerships, The New School maintains a global presence. Learn more at newschool.edu. |
 |
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION |
| 79 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10003 www.newschool.edu |
PRESS RELEASE |
Media Contacts: Scott Gargan, |
|