Are You Listening?  

End Congregate Placements, Protect Youth

“If somebody would have just taken my hand and said everything is going to be alright and I’m here for you…”

- NY Lived Expert

The Problem

New York inappropriately uses congregate facilities and it must end.

Over 2,000 children, or 12% of foster youth, are in such settings, with over 500 in non-therapeutic environments, mainly at NYC’s ACS “Children’s Center.”

Despite the Family First Prevention Services Act aiming to reduce family separation and restrictive care, New York has not improved standards, leaving many children in facilities unnecessarily. NY uses congregate settings more frequently for children than the national average. This is a policy choice and it is wrong.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

  • 500+ youth removed from their families and placed in non-therapeutic settings

  • New York’s 12% rate of institutionalized is higher than the 9% national average

  • Congregate settings are up to 50x more expensive than home-based placements estimated to cost New York up to $25M

The Solution

Protect Young People in Communities

New York must do better for young people. It’s time to stop funding harmful institutions and invest in real community-based solutions that support youth and families.

Our Coalition