Over the last several years, there has been a series of child fatalities in Erie County in which the children had CPS involvement. Considerable attention has been given to whether the deaths could have been prevented, and whether children continue to be at risk. The purpose of this hearing is to examine current Erie County CPS practices. The Committees are also interested to see what improvements can be made to the current practices and whether changes in State law are necessary to improve CPS in Erie County and statewide.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten (10) copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Assembly has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Donna Lupardo
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Children and Families

Andrew Hevesi
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation

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Persons wishing to participate in the hearing on Erie County Child Protective Services practices are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: