Hundreds of workers at the city’s embattled child-welfare agency are worrying about their own welfare as they face the possibility of layoffs stemming from a plan to overhaul the way it protects kids, sources told The Post yesterday.
The plan, called “Improved Outcomes for Children,” is expected to dismantle an entire division of 600 workers, which could mean layoffs for 200 to 400 employees who cannot be absorbed within the Administration for Children’s Services or the other city agencies, officials said.
“If this plan goes through, we are going to have to worry about 400 workers – and we’re going to fight to make sure they stay in place,” said Faye Moore, head of the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, which represents caseworkers.
Case managers working for the Office of Contract Agency Case Management – responsible for monitoring thousands of abused children and ensuring that they receive proper care from foster-care agencies hired by the ACS – could face the ax.
Improved Outcomes for Children would require foster-care agencies to monitor themselves and have ACS workers leave their desks to work hand-in-hand with the agencies and families.
The program is expected to increase accountability and decrease delays in crucial decision-making processes, officials said.
“IOC is a chance for the families to come to the table with ACS and the agencies and make case-planning decisions that is transparent and accountable to the family,” said Mike Arsham, who heads the parent group Child Welfare Organizing Project.
The agency has refused to discuss the possibility of layoffs.
An ACS spokeswoman said the agency was “looking to meet with the union to discuss our ideas . . . and we will continue working with our partners in the foster-care and preventive agencies.”