In March 2002, the Special Child Welfare Advisory Panel (Special Panel) concluded three years of work having advised the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) on reform and having provided court-ordered public accountability regarding the progress made in improving child welfare services in New York City. The Special Panel’s Concluding Report underscored significant progress made by ACS and identified numerous challenges to bear in mind as reform efforts advanced.

Several areas of unfinished business were identified in the Concluding Report as necessary next steps for ACS and the city to take in the process of improving child welfare services for children, youth and families. Areas of unfinished business included: developing neighborhood-based services; involving families in decision-making about their children; continuing to improve the quality of front-line practice and services to children and families; strengthening services for teenagers and their families; working with the Family Court to ensure permanency and safety for children; and working with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to improve the way child welfare services were funded and regulated.

The Special Panel also noted the transition in city leadership with the election of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his appointment of ACS Commissioner William C. Bell in January 2002. In its Concluding Report, the Special Panel encouraged the new administration to continue and expand upon reform and improvement efforts and characterized the appointment of Commissioner Bell as an encouraging sign “… that these important [child welfare reform] efforts would function as a foundation for future progress.”

The Special Panel provided the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) with an independent review of agency operations, child welfare services and policy directions and served an invaluable function by offering objective appraisal and guidance through its regular reports to the public. This approach to reform and quality improvement had value for Commissioner Bell and at his request a new, independent panel, named the New York City Child Welfare Advisory Panel (the Panel), was convened to continue a process of independent review and public reporting of ACS activities, with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

The goal of the newly created New York City Child Welfare Advisory Panel was to maintain the focus on and promote child welfare reform and system improvement. The new Panel took on responsibility for the unfinished business identified by the Special Panel, of publicly reporting findings, and providing ACS with an independent review, ongoing consultation and advice to help improve child welfare services through management, practice and policy reforms.

This is the first report of the New York City Child Welfare Advisory Panel.