The New York State Office of Children & Family Services has announced an ambitious plan to close six under- utilized residential facilities across New York State as part of an ongoing restructuring to improve services to troubled children.
There are approximately 2,000 children in New York State’s juvenile justice system, most between 12 and 18 years old, and a few are as young as 10. All were under the age of 16 when they committed an act that would have been a crime if committed by an adult. The closings are designed to enable the administration of Governor Eliot Spitzer to focus more on the developmental needs of low- level offenders and provide these youngsters and their families with services closer to their communities. Another objective is a reduction in the state’s high rates of recidivism.
On Friday, February 8, from 8:30 am - 10 am, the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University will host a timely forum in its landmark home in the Puck Building (295 Lafayette Street @ Houston., 2nd Floor) with:
- Gladys Carrión, Commissioner, New York State Office of Children and Family Services
- Mishi Faruqee, Director, Juvenile Justice Project, The Correctional Association of New York
- Ellen Schall, Dean and Martin Cherkasky Professor of Health Policy and Management, NYU Wagner
- Meredith Wiley, State Director, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids
- Erica Gonzalez, Opinion Editor, El Diario (Moderator)
The panel discussion will take place in NYU Wagner’s Rudin Family Forum for Civic Dialogue. Breakfast will be available from 8 - 8:30 a.m.
Seating is limited. RSVP at http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/nysocfs.php.
Media coverage is invited.