ACS Commissioner Details Juvenile Justice Facility Investments and Closing Remarks

ACS continues to focus on meeting the needs of the increased number of youth across our juvenile justice continuum.

As of May 13, 2026, there were 362 youth in secure detention, 66 youth in non secure detention, and 128 youth in close to home.

The executive budget includes funding to support operations, maintenance, and capacity needs at our facilities.

The budget includes $6.3 million baselined for juvenile justice facility needs associated with the creation of the exercise pavilion at Horizon, including the additional funding needed for maintenance repairs and operations of the existing space.

This funding will also be used for additional supplies needed for the population of youth in detention, such as uniforms, toiletries, bedding and food services.

Finally, a portion of this initiative is additional funding needed to support the conversion of a six-bed non-secure placement facility to a nine-bed non-secure placement facility to help with the increased close to home census.

The executive budget also includes additional capital needs for our juvenile justice programs, including funding for the Horizon Annex, HVACs at Horizon and Crosswoods, Crossroads, as well as our other repairs and IT equipment at Horizon and Crossroads.

So in closing, I believe this executive budget reflects an important investment in children, youth, and families and communities across New York City, and it represents an opportunity to continue shaping systems that are not only effective but also compassionate, responsive, and grounded in partnership.

As I begin in this role, I do so with humility, urgency, and hope.

Any one agency or system alone.

It requires partnership across government with providers, advocates, communities, and with our partners in the judiciary, and most importantly, with young people and families whose lived experience must continue to inform and shape our work.

At the same time, we are navigating a period of significant change and uncertainty nationally.

Federal policy shifts and broader pressures on social service systems continue to impact child welfare and youth serving systems across the country.

But even as systems adapt, transform, and respond to those pressures, our responsibility must remain clear.

Children, youth, and families must be at the center of every decision we make.

This moment calls not only for responsiveness, but for intentional transformation rooted in equity, community partnership, accountability, and the belief that every child and family deserves dignity, support, stability, and possibility.

I believe deeply in the power of connection and intentional action.

I believe children, youth, and families deserve systems that see their humanity, honor their strengths, and create real pathways to healing, stability, opportunity, and belonging.

And I believe our collective responsibility is not simply to respond to crisis, but to help create conditions where children and families and communities can truly thrive.

That's the work ahead of us, and I look forward to doing it in partnership with all of you.

Thank you, and I welcome your questions.