The New York Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) seeks to examine the extent to which racial disproportionalities and disparities exist in the New York child welfare system and its impact specifically on Black children and families. After receiving testimony through a series of briefings, the Committee intends to provide the Commission with their findings and recommendations on this topic. The Committee heard initial testimony on this topic on November 18, 2022, and has scheduled additional briefings for the following dates and times, all in Eastern Time:
Wednesday February 15, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Researchers, Public Comment at 2:30 pm
Friday February 17, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Academics, Public Comment at 2:30 pm
Wednesday April 19, 2023, TBD: Forum, Impacted Individuals
Friday April 21, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Advocates, Public Comment at 2:30 pm
Friday May 19, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Government Officials, Public Comment at 2:30 pm
Friday July 21, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Multi-Sector Final Speakers, Public Comment at 2:30 pm
Access details for these briefings along with all regular meetings of the New York Advisory Committee will be available in the Federal Register before the briefing or meeting occurs.
All remarks by panelists and members of the public are recorded and transcribed for potential inclusion in the Committee’s report to the Commission. As the time available for each briefing is limited, any individuals who do not receive the opportunity to share remarks during a briefing are encouraged to submit remarks by email to mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov within 30 days of the briefing for inclusion in the public record. New testimony for the Committee’s study on this topic should be submitted within 30 days following the Committee’s final briefing on July 21, 2023 (August, 20, 2023) as the Committee will be writing their report on this topic following that date. All remarks received will be shared with the Committee.
Committee Chair Bryanne Hamill said, “As we continue our bipartisan fact-finding study, we look forward to hearing from diverse perspectives that will include children and families impacted by the New York State child welfare system, researchers, academics, advocates, and government officials. These voices will inform our findings and recommendations that may highlight the urgency of this issue for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to study at a national level.”
Individuals requiring accommodations should contact svillanueva@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the briefing. The Committee is advisory in nature only and does not have enforcement authority and cannot address individual complaints.
mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov