NYS Council on Children and Families

d families. Established by Governor Carey as Chapter 757 of the Laws of 1977, the Council on Children and Families is authorized to coordinate the state health, education and human services systems as a means to provide more effective systems of care for children and families. The Council was administratively merged with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services by Chapter 62 of the Laws of 2003. The essence of the Council's work remains true to the original intent: to be a neutral body within state government capable of negotiating solutions to interagency issues. The Council does not have direct responsibility for the operation of programs or the provision of services. Instead, the Council orients its priorities toward the development of comprehensive and coordinated systems of care that respond to the wide needs of children and families in New York. By concentrating its efforts on structural issues, the Council facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of services to children and families. The Council works with state and local organizations in both public and private sectors to foster interagency, collaborative approaches to solving the problems and meeting the challenges facing government, service providers and the private sector.