Parents Rights During Covid19

Parents and caregivers who interact with NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, are often unfamliar with their rights, which can result in unnecessary harm to and separation from their families. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the need for information that can help them protect their families during an investigation.

As a part of CUP’s rapid-response work to help meet the pressing needs of our partners during the pandemic, we developed a resource with Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) to help parents understand their rights when dealing with ACS during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The visuals were adapted from an earlier collaboration with BDS and designer Manuel Miranda called What You Need to Know About ACS about parents’ rights when dealing with ACS

Resources & Links

Brooklyn Defender Services provides high quality legal representation and related services to people who cannot afford to retain an attorney.

Funding Support

Support for this project was provided by the Brooklyn Community Foundation.

Special Thanks

Manuel Miranda, Christine Gaspar, Siyona Ravi, Frampton Tolbert

Participants

CUP

  • Clair Beltran
  • Elijah Bobo
  • Yasmin Safdié
  • Brooklyn Defender Services
  • Anna Arkin-Gallagher
  • Daniel Ball
  • Meghan Downes
  • Gabriel Freiman
  • Anya Mukarji-Connolly
  • Jessica Nitsche

    Press

    As the 2020 School Year Begins, Know Your Rights and Get Involved
    • Rise Magazine
    • October 14, 2020

    As we begin a new school year amidst the ongoing pandemic, equity issues continue to be exacerbated by the pandemic. You may still lack the equipment needed for remote learning or consistent available WIFI, or may be dealing with continuous changes to plans.

    Below, you will find more information about your rights and support available and how you can advocate to protect families and for educational equity. [See] Resources for NYC Parents from Brooklyn Defender Services and The Center for Urban Pedagogy, [including] knowing your rights about your child’s education during the 2020-21 school year [and] information for parents dealing with ACS during COVID.

    Download PDF
    As Cuomo Shutters Schools in COVID Flare Zones, Ground Rules Lag for Child Welfare Reports During Remote Learning
    • The City
    • October 05, 2020

    Before the start of the current school year, multiple groups had urged the state Office of Children and Family Services to declare that a child’s failure to participate in remote learning should not be enough to justify an investigation. “Black and brown families are still going to be negatively impacted, especially in The Bronx where some of our Wi-Fi issues are worse,” said Baker-Burr…Last week, the groups that signed the letter to the state released new “know your rights” pamphlets help families navigate remote learning, and offer advice on what to do if ACS is called. 

    Download PDF