Child Protective Services investigates, assesses and protects children when there is a suspicion of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Caseworkers monitor and arrange for necessary rehabilitative services to families in need.

Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline: 1-800-342-3720

Teaming is a work model where a team of caseworkers rather than one individual is responsible for a case. Group decision making is a hallmark of the teaming model. All workers contribute to case decisions. While one worker may be assigned a task, all workers are aware of case progress and can cover for each other at any time. Workers feel supported in case activity and families always have a worker available to them. The model requires solid operating agreements, respect for other’s point of view and support from agency leadership. CLICK HERE to view a PowerPoint presentation (converted to PDF) from the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Webinar, which describes the implementation of Teaming in NYS and Albany County: "National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Teaming Webinar" [PDF*]

Prevention Services are provided to families with children "at risk" of FOSTER CARE placement. The goal of Prevention Services is to insure the safety of the child and seek to preserve, support and strengthen the family unit by:

• Preventing child abuse and neglect
• Reducing the number of placements into foster care for children receiving prevention services
• Promoting the optimal health, well being and development of children.
• Healthy Families is a home-visiting program that supports expectant and new parents with the changes and needs of their family that begin prenatally or shortly after the birth of the child. The services are voluntary and free of charge. Learn more »

Foster Care Services provide children/youth with a temporary home in the community. Foster Care settings vary in level and intensity depending on the needs of the child. Foster Care services consist of needs assessments, arrangements and placement for children under the age of 18. Specialized services place an emphasis on permanency and provide reasonable and diligent efforts to reunite families.

Adolescent Services is located in Albany County Family Court at 30 Clinton Avenue, Albany. 
All PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) and JD (Juvenile Delinquency) cases that appear in Court are monitored by this Unit. When ordered by the Court, arrangements are made for alternative to detention programs, detention, assessments and foster care placements. Youth receive case management services when placed in foster care. This includes providing the life skills necessary so that the youth can be successfully reunited with their families. Adolescent Services also serves as an information and services satellite for DCYF as a liaison to the Court, and referrals for services are arranged when appropriate.

Foster Home Finding Services recruits, trains and certifies prospective foster and adoptive parents for children in foster care placement.

Adoption Services assists children who have no permanent guardian to become adopted. The Foster Home Finding and Adoption Unit provides support to children and the adoptive parents until the adoption is finalized.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster/adoptive parent, please contact the Foster Home Finding and Adoption Unit at (518) 447-7515.

The Independent Living Program provides services for youth residing in foster care and have a discharge goal of independent living because reunification and adoption are no longer viable alternatives, or in instances where youth have a different discharge goal but are otherwise appropriate for Independent Living Services.

Children’s Services Practice Initiatives to Support Families There are a number of practices which are utilized to support families and their children. Some of these initiatives are listed below:

Bridges to Health (B2H)

Bridges to Health serves vulnerable children in foster care who suffer from mental health concerns, developmental delays, or chronic medical conditions. Learn More »

Child Advocacy Center

The CAC is housed at the Albany County Children's Center, which is a child-friendly place where community partners are co-located to most effectively support families during the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse, while minimizing the trauma to the child. Learn More »

Family Team Meeting

Family team meetings engage and empower families to take an active role in making decisions and developing plans that protect their children from enduring further abuse and neglect. Learn More »

Family to Family

In family to family meetings, the child's family of origin and foster family have the opportunity to discuss the child's care, with topics ranging from medical concerns to the child's favorite toy. Learn More »

Parent Partners

Parent partners are typically parents who have personal experience navigating the formal service systems for their own children. Learn More »