The top of New York Metropolis’s little one welfare company resisted calls Thursday to disclose private particulars about little one fatalities following the horrific loss of life of malnourished 4-year-old Jah’Meik Modlin.
Throughout a Metropolis Council committee oversight listening to, Administration for Youngsters’s Companies Commissioner Jess Dannhauser recommended that whereas he understood the necessity for transparency, he was additionally conscious of surviving siblings within the company’s care.
“I do want to make sure that we maintain a culture at ACS about learning rather than blame, because blame has led us down a path in the past where we make decisions based on fear. That is not good for children; that is not good for families.”
Jah’Meik Modlin and his mom, Nytavia Ragsdale.
Within the wake of the current deaths of Modlin in October and Joseph Heben Jr., a 1-month-old little one who died of malnutrition over the summer time on Staten Island, specialists warned in opposition to fueling a foster-care panic the place the company overcorrects and separates households who may have been supported with meals and sources. Modlin’s household in Harlem was identified to the system, having beforehand been below ACS investigation.
ACS will proceed releasing annual reviews on little one fatality developments, in addition to working with the Workplace of Youngsters and Household Companies, a state oversight company, Dannhauser stated. The commissioner can be within the means of reconvening a gaggle of specialists — neighborhood advocates, mother and father and child-abuse pediatricians — who may have “deeper access” to info.
Lawmakers acknowledged the problem of placing the fitting stability, but additionally insisted there was extra ACS may do.
“Some of the reports that ACS refused to put out after a child did die might be helpful in moving us in the right direction,” stated Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, “and I hope ACS reconsiders not releasing those reports for the public to take a look at.
“I know that privacy is one of the issues, but I feel like [materials] can be redacted in a way that can help us all try to find the balance that we’re trying to find.”
A video display screen seize from a Metropolis Council oversight listening to on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (NYC.gov)
Councilwoman Althea Stevens (D-Bronx), the committee chair, stated she is “a person who truly believes that we have to protect children.”
“Some of that is keeping certain things confidential, and also not having all of their grueling details being exposed for everyone to read,” Stevens stated. “But we do have to have a balance of what does transparency look like and how do we make sure that we’re able to hold not only ACS accountable, but all parties accountable.”
Initially Printed: December 12, 2024 at 6:26 PM EST
