Abandoned Infant Protection Act

New York State’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act allows a parent to abandon a newborn baby up to 30 days of age anonymously and without fear of prosecution -- if the baby is abandoned in a safe manner.

parent is not guilty of a crime if the infant is left with an appropriate person or in a suitable location and the parent promptly notifies an appropriate person of the infant’s location.  A hospital, staffed police or fire station are examples of safe and suitable choices.

A person leaving an infant under this law is not required to give his or her name.

Click here to listen to an audio message about Abandoned Infant Protection Act .

Bureau of Adult Services (BAS) Adult Protective Services

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services, through its Bureau of Adult Services, is responsible for the oversight of Protective Services for Adults (PSA) and other adult services provided through the local departments of social services, and local operations relative to Family-Type Homes for Adults (FTHA).

The Bureau provides technical assistance to adult services staff of local districts; conducts informal case reviews; participates in audits; reviews consolidated services plans; conducts complaint investigations; and develops public education, training, and interagency initiatives.

This web site is designed to provide information on Protective Services for Adults and to educate the general public on recognizing and responding to adult abuse, neglect and financial exploitation issues.

Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline - Child Protective Services (CPS)

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services maintains a Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) for reports of child abuse or maltreatment made pursuant to the Social Services Law.

The Statewide Central Register, also known as the "Hotline,” receives telephone calls alleging child abuse or maltreatment within New York State. The Statewide Central Register relays information from the calls to the local Child Protective Service for investigation, monitors their prompt response, and identifies if there are prior child abuse or maltreatment reports.

The Hotline receives calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week from two sources: persons who are required by law, or mandated, to report suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment; and calls from non-mandated reporters, including the public.

Among those who are mandated to make reports are:

• medical and hospital personnel
• school officials
• social service workers
• child care workers
• residential care workers and volunteers
• law enforcement personnel

*This list is not all inclusive.

Do You Suspect Abuse or Maltreatment?
Report it Now!

Call this Statewide Toll Free Telephone Number:
1-800-342-3720

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call TDD/TTY at
1-800-638-5163
or have your Video Relay System provider call
1-800-342-3720

If you believe that a child is in immediate danger,
call 911 or your local police department.

Dating Abuse

Dating abuse is a real problem for teens. Visit the Respect Love, Love Respect website to learn about dating abuse, how to stay safe, and things you can do if you are in an unsafe relationship. Take the Healthy Relationships quiz to learn if your relationship is a healthy one.

Education and Child Abuse and Neglect

This website provides a guide for mandated reporters in New York State; information on educational neglect; information on a Child Abuse and Maltreatment Workshop; information on child abuse in an educational setting; and a form to report child abuse in an educational setting.

Emergency Resource Guide - DSS

This Emergency Resource Guide provides descriptions of the many services offered by the County Department of Social Services, as well as 24 Hour emergency resource information. Although this guide was developed by Albany County, it contains mostly statewide emergency resource information.

endABUSE of People with Disabilities

endAbuse of People with Disabilities is a new website that provides a repository of accurate and reliable resources about the abuse of people with disabilities. Users can access multi-media content that offers information about the forms of abuse, targets of abuse, peer-to-peer support, and advocacy.  Additionally, those in need have the ability to get immediate assistance from the "Get Help Now" section which includes a "quick escape" browsing option. 

Healthy Families New York Home Visiting Program

The Healthy Families New York (HFNY) Home Visiting Program offers home-based services to expectant families and new parents, beginning prenatally or shortly after the birth of the child. Participants are screened to identify risk factors and stressors that the family may face. Families who participate in the program are offered long-term in-home services until the child is in school or Head Start.

Incident Reporting and Management System (IRAMS)

The Incident Reporting and Management System (IRAMS) is used by Health Homes, Care Management Agencies, Children’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Providers, and Children and Youth Evaluation Services (C-YES) to report critical incidents and complaints/grievances as appropriate for the various populations served to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of members. 

IRAMS will take the place of current paper-based processes for HHSA and HHSC. The Health Homes are already required to report critical incidents (per the Health Home Monitoring: Reportable Incidents Policies and Procedures HH0005) and grievances/complaints (per the Complaint and Grievance Policy for Health Homes Serving Children HH0013).

Individual and Family Support - Justice Center

The Individual and Family Support Unit of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs provides assistance to victims of incidents of abuse or neglect occurring in certain state-operated, licensed, or certified service provider agencies.  Assistance is also provided to victims’ families, personal representatives, and guardians. This assistance includes:

• guidance and information about the reporting and investigative process
• support during criminal cases and proceedings
• victim interview accompaniment
• case status updates

All services are offered free.