The pinnacle of New York Metropolis’s baby welfare company resisted calls Thursday to disclose private particulars about baby fatalities following the horrific loss of life of malnourished 4-year-old Jah’Meik Modlin.
Throughout a Metropolis Council committee oversight listening to, Administration for Youngsters’s Providers Commissioner Jess Dannhauser advised that whereas he understood the necessity for transparency, he was additionally conscious of surviving siblings within the company’s care.
“I do want to make sure that we maintain a culture at ACS about learning rather than blame, because blame has led us down a path in the past where we make decisions based on fear. That is not good for children; that is not good for families.”
Jah’Meik Modlin and his mom, Nytavia Ragsdale.
Within the wake of the latest deaths of Modlin in October and Joseph Heben Jr., a 1-month-old baby who died of malnutrition over the summer season on Staten Island, consultants warned in opposition to fueling a foster-care panic the place the company overcorrects and separates households who may have been supported with meals and sources. Modlin’s household in Harlem was identified to the system, having beforehand been beneath ACS investigation.
ACS will proceed releasing annual reviews on baby fatality developments, in addition to working with the Workplace of Youngsters and Household Providers, a state oversight company, Dannhauser mentioned. The commissioner can be within the means of reconvening a gaggle of consultants — neighborhood advocates, dad and mom and child-abuse pediatricians — who may have “deeper access” to data.
Lawmakers acknowledged the problem of putting the best stability, but additionally insisted there was extra ACS may do.
“Some of the reports that ACS refused to put out after a child did die might be helpful in moving us in the right direction,” mentioned Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, “and I hope ACS reconsiders not releasing those reports for the public to take a look at.
“I know that privacy is one of the issues, but I feel like [materials] can be redacted in a way that can help us all try to find the balance that we’re trying to find.”
A video display seize from a Metropolis Council oversight listening to on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (NYC.gov)
Councilwoman Althea Stevens (D-Bronx), the committee chair, mentioned she is “a person who truly believes that we have to protect children.”
“Some of that is keeping certain things confidential, and also not having all of their grueling details being exposed for everyone to read,” Stevens mentioned. “But we do have to have a balance of what does transparency look like and how do we make sure that we’re able to hold not only ACS accountable, but all parties accountable.”
Initially Revealed: December 12, 2024 at 6:26 PM EST
