County Executive Romaine, District Attorney Tierney announce reforms to Suffolk County child protective services
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Department of Social Services (DSS) officials have unveiled sweeping reforms to the county’s Child Protective Services (CPS) system in response to the tragic Thomas Valva case.
Under Romaine’s leadership, Suffolk County DSS has implemented measures aimed at improving services, enhancing interagency collaboration and focusing on the needs of vulnerable populations. The changes also promote open communication among stakeholders involved in social services.
“We took swift and significant action to reform the Suffolk County Department of Social Services to ensure that children in CPS are truly protected,” Romaine said. “We’ve allocated funds to fill vacancies, improve services, reform processes and ensure better training. These efforts will help prevent tragedies like the one experienced by Thomas Valva.”
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability. “We must never allow a tragedy like Thomas Valva’s to happen again,” he said. “I am proud of the work of the task force, in partnership with the new administration and Legislature, to enact the recommendations from the Grand Jury Report.”
Legislator Bergin echoed these sentiments, noting, “It was critical that the grand jury report not gather dust. We’ve worked diligently to implement necessary changes and ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.”
Key reforms to child protective services:
Quality improvements recognized by New York State
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) 2024 Program Quality Improvement Review reported substantial progress in Suffolk County’s CPS, Preventative/Protective Services and Foster Care systems. Many categories achieved a 100% compliance rate, reflecting the county’s renewed commitment to better serve families.
Implementation of blind removal policy
Suffolk County now uses a blind removal policy for CPS cases requiring a child’s removal from their family. This process excludes personal and demographic information about the child and family during decision-making, reducing potential biases.
Relocation of CPS abuse teams
CPS caseworkers investigating child abuse cases will relocate to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Central Islip in December. The move allows caseworkers to collaborate closely with law enforcement and attorneys during investigations.
Interagency training initiatives
Since March 2024, DSS has conducted training sessions on child protection, trauma-informed care, forensic interviewing and multidisciplinary approaches to child abuse investigations. These sessions include participation from CPS staff, Suffolk County Police and legal professionals.
Legal training enhancements
In partnership with the County Attorney’s Office, DSS has improved training for handling sensitive abuse and neglect cases. This initiative strengthens collaboration between caseworkers and legal representatives.
Integration of adult protective services
In September 2024, Adult Protective Services (APS) was reintegrated into the Family and Children’s Services Division. This change enhances collaboration between APS and CPS, particularly for developmentally disabled youths transitioning to adult services.
Specialized training for disabilities
More than 170 DSS employees have completed training at Daemen College, focusing on understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Topics included autism, ADHD and other conditions.
Multidisciplinary training
DSS, in collaboration with state and county partners, is expanding training for frontline workers to better serve children, adults with disabilities and older adults. Training emphasizes skills for investigating, prosecuting and protecting vulnerable populations.
Supervisor training
DSS is enhancing training for supervisory staff to develop a family-centered clinical model. This approach provides middle management with advanced decision-making tools and support for caseworkers.
Improved safety and security
DSS is equipping over 600 employees with a panic button app to instantly connect with emergency services, enhancing staff safety during high-stress situations.
Support for staff wellbeing
To combat burnout and compassion fatigue, DSS is offering additional support services to employees managing trauma from child welfare cases.
