Assessing The Needs Of Rockland’s Youngsters, Youths And Families

New York State Office for Children and Family Services Director of Special Projects Gregory Owens will speak about child welfare at an informational session on Tuesday, Feb. 26.  The program, Strategies for Racial Equity in Child Welfare: An Overview of Disproportional Placement of Children of Color” takes place at the William “Bill” Darden Community Center on Memorial Park Drive in Spring Valley at 5:30 p.m. 

The public and agencies will have the chance to review and comment on Rockland County’s annual update of its 2012-2016 Child and Family Services Plan.  The plan presents outcomes and strategies of the Department of Social Services, Rockland County Youth Bureau and Department of Probation.

Social Services specifically deals with Child Protective Services, Preventive Services, foster care, adoption, detention, Protective Services for Adults, Domestic Violence, child care, and other adult, children and family services. The Youth Bureau focuses on Youth Development, Runaway and Homeless Youth and other children, youth and family services. The Probation Department explains its programs for PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) and prevention and detention.

Specific public comment periods have been set at 6:45 p.m. on Children and Family Services, 7 p.m. regarding Child Protective Services and 7:15 p.m. concerning Adult Services

The Draft Child and Family Services Plan is available on the county website or by calling the Rockland County Department of Social Services at (845) 364-3304.  Additional copies will be available at the public hearing.