Council on Children and Families
The Council is charged with acting as a neutral body to coordinate the state health, education and human services systems to ensure that all children and families in New York State have the opportunity to reach their potential.
While the Council does not operate or provide programs and services, there is a statutorily mandated function to facilitate the provision of services or placement for cross-systems children by negotiating with agencies for the most appropriate, least restrictive community-based or residential services.
Cross-systems youth have complex, co-occurring medical, mental health, developmental, substance abuse and/or educational needs that necessitate collaboration among multiple service systems. Council staff work to assist the individual in receiving the most appropriate services, minimize delays in arranging services or placement and resolve barriers that impede timely service delivery or placement.
Children and families with complex, cross-systems needs requiring assistance in obtaining services or placement.