COMMITTEE ON FAMILIES
MINUTES: JUNE 7, 2004
MEMBERS: Chair: Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Legislators: Lois Bronz, Ursula LaMotte, James Maisano, William Ryan, Other Legislators: Michael Kaplowitz, Vito Pinto, Bernice Spreckman, Jose Alvarado, Richard Wishnie, Louis Mosiello, George Oros, Tom Abinanti
IN ATTENDANCE: DSS: Nancy Travers, Don Wiede, Kevin Mahon; Law: Tricia Higgins, Sharon Adamo, Michael Barrett; Journal News: Bill Hughes, Laurie Nikolski; Senator Spano’s Office: Tony Giambrunno; C.E.’s Office: Andrew Neuman, Bill Randolph, Symra Brandon; D.A.’s Office: J. Berger; On Port P.R.: Yolanda Robinson, BOL: Sally Schecter, Ray Indelicato, David Simpson
The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m.
Discussion of “Returning Abused Children to their Abusers: How Westchester County’s Child Protective System Fails the Children it most Needs to Protect.”
Chair Stewart-Cousins invited Commissioner Mahon to introduce himself and his staff and to comment on the Grand Jury’s report. The Commissioner felt that some recommendations were fair and some were not but that the title was inflammatory. There were a number of recommendations that he supported, and some they were already doing and some should be done by the Courts. Out of 5800 children there are 5000 reported abuse cases. Of these, 750 are in foster care.
The Commissioner advised the committee that the Child Welfare League will analyze the Department of Social Services. They are one of the foremost organizations in the country and have previously analyzed the DSS and made 11 recommendations, some of which will take 4 to 5 years to implement. The Committee asked that the 2000 report from the Child Welfare League be shared with them and inform the Committee what has been done and what is still waiting to be done.
The Chair also asked the Commissioner to discuss each of the Grand Jury’s recommendations. The Commissioner then started down the list of Administrative Recommendations and commented on each one with the Legislators asking questions. After a lengthy discussion of the first 9 points of the Grand Jury report, the Chair asked for a copy of the County’s protocol PGT 992 as well as a copy of the Consent Decree that was part of a Federal lawsuit.
Questions also arose as to the members on the “Return Home committee” as well as who authored report, its legality and its precedence.
Chair Stewart-Cousins requested that the Commissioner return on Monday, June 14 to continue the discussion.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
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