Full Answer
The law established child protective services (CPS) in each county in New York. Each CPS is required to investigate child abuse and maltreatment reports, to protect children (anyone under 18 years old) from further abuse or maltreatment, and to provide rehabilitative services to children, parents, and other family members involved.
Get Help With Your Case If you have an active Child Protective Investigation, you have the right to talk with the Child Protective Services (CPS) team assigned to your case, at any time. ACS Office of Advocacy The ACS Office of Advocacy remains available to assist you by phone and e-mail.
Your attorney will defend you against the allegations brought against you, and help protect your parental rights. If you face the necessity to defend yourself against a child protective services investigation or lawsuit, contact an experienced attorney to assist you with any child services issues that might arise.
Persons who are subjects of child abuse or maltreatment reports are entitled to copies of information concerning themselves on file with the Statewide Central Register (SCR). Write to:
You may call that office at 1-800-663-6114 (Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm eastern) or e-mail the office at opmc@health.ny.gov. All other complaints should be sent to one of OPD's offices. Sending the complaint to the wrong agency will delay the investigation.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services maintains a Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) for reports of child abuse or maltreatment made pursuant to the Social Services Law.
60 daysChild Protective Services investigates the report. They have 60 days to complete their investigation. It used to be that if there was "some credible evidence" that the report is true, the report would be "indicated".
Call 311 in NYC or the New York State Central Register (SCR) directly at 1(800) 342-3720. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
CPS can investigate reports, even if they are false. Mandated reporters are required to report any suspected child abuse. It is illegal for them not to do so. Mandated reporters include doctors, lawyers and therapists. Of course, other people can make reports as well.
Can social services take my child away? Social services will usually only take a child away from their parents if they believe that the child is at risk of harm or neglect in their current circumstances. They are obliged to investigate any complaints or concerns reported to them.
Do I have to let the CPS investigators into my house? Generally not. Unless it is a real emergency, the investigator will need a court order to come into your house. However if you voluntarily let them into your house, they will not need a court order.
Is this acceptable under New York State law? According to the law, there is no set age at which you can leave a child alone. The parent is responsible for deciding whether or not the child is mature and responsible enough to understand the circumstances and take care of her or himself.
What happens if the CPS Report is indicated? If you are named as a subject in a CPS report and it is ultimately “indicated,” all that means is that your name will appear on the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment until the youngest child named in the report turns 28.
Telephone and personal-visit interviews for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The CPS is a voluntary survey. The ACS includes a person at the address where they are at the time of the survey if they have been there, or will be there, more than 2 months, whether or not they have a “usual residence elsewhere.”
ACS - About The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) protects and promotes safety and well-being of New York City's children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care and education services.
If they suspect a child might be at risk of harm, they have to look into the child's situation and take steps to keep them safe. They might decide to put the child on a protection plan. They may interview or medically examine your child without you present.