The Department for Children, Youth and Families will be implementing Family Assessment Response (FAR) to respond to reports concern that could affect child safety. It’s a different approach to working with families when a call comes in about a child safety issue. FAR engages with families to assess the strengths and needs in them, then works with the parents to identify what could be done to come up with the best way to resolve the issues.

FAR’s approach is solution-focused and family-led. It aims to strengthen families by providing referrals to services and resources matched to families’ needs. At the end of working with a family through a Family Assessment Response, no formal determination is made about whether or not the initial report was valid but focuses on safety and well-being of the children. That remains the priority- the safety and risks to the children.

“The Department is very excited to implement Family Assessment Response for child protective services.  We believe that this strength-based and engaging approach will provide families with the services and supports they are in need of without the need to conduct an investigation,” said Moira Manning, Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families Commissioner.

There are 18 counties throughout New York State that use Family Assessment Response to work with families who have been referred to the Statewide Central Register. Starting June 24th, the Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families will have two approaches to respond to CPS referrals; a traditional CPS investigation or a Family Assessment Report. The Department will maintain 4 FAR units with approximately 20 staff assigned to these cases.

Both FAR and traditional investigations are Child Protective Services. FAR caseworkers are Child Protective Services workers; thereby, mandated reporters. The primary goal of both approaches is to promote child safety, and as a result, if new safety concerns are discovered during the assessment process, a new report may need to be made. The assigned caseworker will be transparent about this in the process. DCYF’s goal is to support families by building on their own strengths and developing sustainable solutions to ensure the safety of children.