Placement Process

Assessment and Matching

Once the Family Court orders the placement of a youth with Close to Home, ACS begins the process of evaluating the needs of the youth. ACS gathers information about the youth from different sources, speaks with the youth and the family, and matches the youth to the NSP or LSP provider that can best meet the youth's needs.

After a decision regarding the residential provider is made, ACS holds a meeting with the youth, the family, the Close to Home provider, and the ACS Placement and Permanency Specialist (PPS) assigned to the youth to discuss the placement decision and address any questions.

Residential Placement

ACS PPS and Provider work with the youth throughout the placement and aftercare periods, continuum. Providers collaborate with family members/release resources, community-based programs and schools as an essential part of keeping youth on track.

Providers and ACS begins to plan for the youth's release to the community as soon as he or she is placed in Close to Home. The provider agencies outline treatment goals for the youth, identify service needs and address barriers to release. They also work with youth and families to make sure all the necessary services are in place in the community before the youth is released from placement, The decision on the length of stay in residential placement is determined based on the needs of the individual youth.

The PPS and provider agency regularly assesses the youth's academic progress and connects the youth and the family to additional services as needed throughout placement. The New York City Department of Education (DOE) partners with ACS to determine the academic needs of a youth to transition him/her to a community school upon release.

Aftercare

Once youth have completed their residential stay, he/she transitions back to the community to receive intensive aftercare supports and supervision for an average of four to six months. The services are offered by the same agency to support the continuity of care. During aftercare, providers focus on family engagement and home-based services to help the youth and the family adjust to the transition. The PPS worker will continue to monitor the youth's progress in the community to make sure the youth is receiving all the necessary services.
Aftercare services may include:

• Family counseling
• Mental health services
• Academic support
• Vocational assistance
• Recreational and cultural programming
• Skill-building

Extension of Placement

ACS may petition the Family Court to extend the placement if the youth is still in need of continued supervision at the end of their Close to Home placement.
ACS would consider extending a placement only if the youth is in need of continued support despite efforts to work with the youth over the course of many months. ACS works with the aftercare provider, DOE staff, the family, and the youth in considering an extension of placement.

Download What You Should Know About Close to Home Brochure