We’re taking steps to better serve NYC children
Manhattan: Re “Black parents in N.Y. need to know their rights” (op-ed, Feb. 26): Anyone can make a report to New York State’s child abuse hotline. If a call about a New York City child is accepted by the state, the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is required by state law to respond to allegations and assess the safety of the child. ACS can’t choose which families to respond to but must, under law, respond to reports the state accepts.
A Black child is seven times more likely than a white child to be in a report to the hotline. This is concerning. ACS can’t control calls made or reports accepted, so we have been retraining mandated reporters on when to appropriately make a report and when, instead, they should connect the family to support. We’ve also been diverting more cases (now more than 25%) to our non-investigative response when children are not in immediate danger.
Today, the number of children in foster care and the number of families under court-ordered supervision are at historic lows. We are further expanding our efforts so parents understand their rights at the outset of an investigation. We are the first in the state to provide a standardized, printed, plain-language notification of rights to parents at the onset of an investigation. We have been doing all of this to limit ACS involvement to where it is truly necessary and to respond with care and urgency when children are in danger. As ACS commissioner, I assure you that our aim is to get it right for each child and family. Protecting children and respecting families’ rights can and must be accomplished together. ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser
Easy enough
Brooklyn: To Voicer Jeffrey Van Pelt: Here’s a better idea, how about stupid parents stop idling their unattended vehicles with the keys in them? Duh. Josie Oliveri
Let it be known
Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: Re “I won’t release 9/11 toxin data: Eric” (Feb. 26): What Mayor Adams means to say is that the more information he withholds, the less money the city has to pay out. This information should have been made public years ago. City staffers are hiding behind the amount of access and data that should be available. Shame on all those involved, starting with the mayor. Robert Stiloski
Holy crap
Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: I see where Mayor Adams’ real good buddy Bishop Bling was on page 5 of Wednesday’s Daily News (” ‘Bling Bishop’ asked ‘God to exact vengeance’ on my son, testifies alleged victim,” Feb. 28). This dude is nothing but a crook and is a disgrace to any and all religions. He shows no remorse and is only concerned with where he is going to get his next $20,000 from. As a child, I learned that when you became a man of the cloth, you took an oath of poverty. Not this guy. He needs to be investigated in depth by N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James. People will be shocked at what will be found. There is no way you can live the lifestyle he does on what you make as a man of the cloth. I’m sure they will find that he continually has his hand in the collection plate and poor box. Stan Siekierski Sr.
Sound theory
Bronx: I appreciate Joni Schwartz-Chaney’s defense of the teaching of critical race theory (“Why teach critical race theory,” op-ed, Feb. 25). It’s hard to deny that everyone engages in implicit biases of all kinds. Accepting this and keeping it top of mind when planning instruction will open your eyes to opportunities that benefit all students. An in-depth look at what CRT entails only helps show that the controversy is misguided. Joe Cocurullo
Door service
Brooklyn: I would like to give a shout-out to my paper delivery person, Victor Humala. He provides excellent service. Every morning, my paper is right in front of my door. I don’t have to go down the stairs and search for it. Thank you, Victor. I appreciate all you do. Andrea Allen
In limbo
Brooklyn: There is something incredible that deserves a little space in Voice of the People: Preparers of 2023 income tax reports, including my CPA accounting, haven’t been able to do their job because they are still waiting for some type of form from New York State. Francisco J. Castillo
Clearance questions
Fall River, Mass.: First there was the 2023 story of a young Massachusetts Air National Guardsman busted for allegedly leaking classified military documents, including those related to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Now there’s the case of Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old member of a special intelligence Air Force agency who died after torching himself in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington. The delusional Bushnell reportedly had told a friend he was privy to information that U.S. military personnel were assisting the Israel Defense Forces in tracking and killing members of Hamas in their underground tunnels. How many more high-profile, bizarre and dangerous incidents will it take to convince our military leaders to do a more thorough job of vetting questionable young recruits who have access to high-level, sensitive information? Charles Winokoor
Unfair warning
Brooklyn: A quick perusal of social media comments reveals some limited but enthusiastic support for the Republicans’ abandonment of Ukraine funding. To me, that is unfathomable and nauseating, but in a nation partly ruled from the outside by the election-denying and manipulative former president, it seems to be standard thinking in some quarters. At least he and his GOP have put the members of NATO on notice that in the near future, depending on our election results, they may be on their own. Of course, if they fail to stop Putin from rolling east to west over all of Europe, it may be up to America to send our youth into another European conflict for the third time in just over 100 years. Edward Temple
Nation in crisis
Bellerose: Ukraine is in the third year of the invasion by Russia. Its needed aid is being held up by Congress. As a nation and a champion of the free world, we must not let the suffering people of Ukraine down. President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is calling out for needed supplies, weapons and ammunition. We must not let him and his people down. As grand knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 in Douglaston, and as a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era, I call out for help for Ukraine. There are many men in Ukraine that belong to Knights of Columbus councils for more than a decade. Also, the national order of the Knights of Columbus began a novena for peace and healing. We must not abandon this freedom-loving people. Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
No strings attached
Brooklyn: I agree with Voicer Gregory Ahl that much in our political system needs fixing. Yes, we need to choose between the Electoral College and the popular vote. But I believe it’s more important to take the money out of election campaigns. Our legislators spend as much time fundraising as they do governing. I propose we end Citizens United and adopt a national election fund that would pool all political contributions, no matter the donor, and distribute the funds equally to all candidates of all parties who register by a specified date. No other funding would be allowed. If they don’t know where the money comes from, candidates won’t feel obligated to specific donors. Then we can get to work on the lobbying problem. Ilsa Ruthen
Slogan for a sleaze
Ottawa, Ontario: Re “NRA bigs hit on spend” (Feb. 24): Charlton Heston had a simple and effective slogan that expressed his commitment to gun owners’ rights. If Wayne LaPierre wishes to be remembered for his commitment to such rights and not just for corruption, he needs to develop a similar slogan — “From my warm, slimy hands.” Obviously, the suggested wording is just a first draft and not suitable for wider distribution. I am sure that a properly remunerated public relations firm could come up with much better wording. Hopefully, LaPierre will have the means to pay them. Bruce Couchman
