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Student Support Services

Student Support Services

Educational Neglect

February 2021

Â鶹¹ÙÍø & OCFS Educational Neglect Joint Guidance Document:ÌýNavigating K-12 Educational Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic: New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the NYS Education Department Joint Guidance for Educators and Child Welfare WorkersÌý

  • Replacing 2008 guidance, and applicable during and post-pandemic, Â鶹¹ÙÍø and OCFS’ Division of Child Welfare and Community Services released updatedÌýjoint guidanceÌýon February 10, 2021 related to collaboratively developed and implemented intervention strategies between the education andÌýÌýexternal linkÌýsystems to address students’ attendance challenges leading up to, during, and after reporting allegations of educational neglect to theÌýÌýexternal link.

  • For the purposes of this guidance, student absenteeism rises to the level of alleged Educational Neglect being reported to and accepted by theÌýÌýexternal linkÌýwhen there is demonstrated concern that, due to the failure of a parent to ensure their child’s regular school attendance, there is reasonable cause that the student’s excessive absences have adversely affected or have the imminent potential to adversely affect the student’s educational progress.

  • If theÌýÌýexternal linkÌýaccepts a report alleging Educational Neglect,ÌýÌýexternal linkÌýorÌýÌýexternal linkÌýmay investigate.Ìý For some reports, the SCR may make a referral toÌýÌýexternal link: New York State’s alternative Child Protective response. FAR provides protection to children by engaging families in an assessment of child safety and of family needs, in finding solutions to family problems and in identifying informal and formal supports to meet their needs and increase their ability to care for their children.

Fall 2020

Webinars:Ìý. (Ìýexternal link)

  • On October 26 and November 5, 2020, Â鶹¹ÙÍø and OCFS’ Division of Child Welfare and Community Services held joint webinars discussing collaboration and shared goals between education and child welfare professionals, and specific to student attendance challenges, the role of theÌýÌýexternal linkÌýregarding reports of alleged educational neglect.