Assemblyman Hevesi (D-Queens), Chair of the Oversight, Analysis and Investigations committee, co-hosted a public hearing with Assembly Member Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Children and Families Committee, to review the effectiveness of existing policies that regulate Child Protective Services (CPS) in Erie County. The hearing was meant to ascertain the role current administrative and statutory policies play in ensuring proper care of participants in the Child Protective Services, both in Erie County and throughout New York State.

Assemblyman Hevesi received testimony on CPS’s procedural practices to examine how complaints are handled following a series of child fatalities in Erie County. Hearing participants included agency leaders, caseworkers, advocates, and private residents with experience within the CPS system.

Legislators and participants reviewed challenges faced within the OCFS and CPS, as well as discussed potential regulatory reforms, and whether changes in state law are necessary to improve CPS case management throughout the state. The emotional hearing, which spanned more than five hours, provided valuable insight into potential fixes to the system which may be addressed in the coming legislative session.

“This was a particularly emotional hearing,” Hevesi said. “It is my hope that as we move forward all of the stakeholders involved at OCFS and within Child Protective Services systems across the state, will be able to identify and achieve reforms within the organization where possible. Children in the protective service system, being some of the most vulnerable members of our state, deserve the utmost attention to ensure their wellbeing.”