The NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new child protection site located at 2100 Bartow Ave. in Co-op City on July 9. The new site replaces the previous 974 Morris Park location.
The new Bartow Avenue office offers a more modern and technologically advanced workspace that will better meet the needs of families within Community Districts 9 and 10 and the office’s 120 ACS staff members. The new site includes a food pantry to supply families with emergency groceries and clothing for immediate needs, family restrooms with changing tables, lactation rooms for families, and a welcoming waiting area for children. The site is also located near many bus lines (Bx12, Bx5, BxM7, Q50) and several major highways. There will also be a shuttle from the subway.
“The new ACS site in Co-Op City is a win-win-win for families, staff, and the local Bronx community,” ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser said. “We are pleased to open our doors at 2100 Bartow Ave., as this new more modern space will better serve children and families in the Bronx.”
ACS is charged with protecting and promoting the safety of New York City’s children through the child welfare system. ACS’s Division of Child Protection responds to allegations of abuse and neglect and connects families to services and supports that keep children safe. ACS also contracts with nonprofit community-based organizations to provide family support and prevention services, as well as foster care services for children who are not able to safely remain at home. The ACS Division of Child Protection includes 19 sites across the five boroughs, including four in the Bronx.
“Today marks a significant milestone for our community with the opening of this new ACS child protection site in Co-op City,” said Council Member Kevin Riley. “This modern, accessible facility will provide essential support and resources to families, ensuring they receive the help they need in a welcoming and safe environment. I am proud to celebrate this advancement, which will greatly benefit the families and children in the Northeast Bronx.”
In a typical year, the Bronx Child Protection offices respond to over 16,000 reports, assessing child safety and connecting families in need to services and support. This can include providing families with concrete goods such as cribs and food; and referring families to substance abuse treatment or other prevention services. It may include helping a survivor of domestic violence change locks. In instances when children are at imminent risk of harm, child protective staff act with urgency to ensure children are safe, most often with a family member who can care safely for them. ACS’s Bronx North offices currently have about 6,600 families annually, or about half of the families, with reports of child abuse and neglect in the Bronx.
Families in Bronx North who are involved in the child welfare system may use the Bartow Avenue site to meet with caseworkers, attend child safety conferences, and receive key information about the range of services the agency provides.
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