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GAO: New York At Fault
A U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) study released April 20 has found that a majority of states meet just half or fewer of the 14 measures used by the federal government to determine the well-being of children in the child welfare system. No state passed all of the factors, which assess the safety, well-being and permanency of current and former foster children. New York's child welfare system was found to be adequate when it came to maintaining children safely in their own homes whenever possible and appropriate, but it failed in preserving continuity of family connections, in providing children with appropriate services to meet their educational needs, and in providing permanency and stability in children's living situations. Failure to meet the 14 standards is punishable by federal financial penalties, but these will likely be suspended if plans for progress toward the goals are developed. The penalties for New York's deficiencies were estimated at more than $2 million.
The GAO report, Child and Family Services Reviews: Better Use of Data and Improved Guidance Could Enhance HHS's Oversight of State Performance, also indicated that over half the states responding to the survey cited insufficient funding as a major barrier to improving their child welfare systems. Addressing this issue, Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the leading Democrat on Congress' Committee on Ways and Means, stated, “We must do more to ensure that adequate oversight and resources are dedicated to safeguarding these children in crisis. If we can afford a war and huge tax cuts, then we can afford to protect vulnerable children.”
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment
On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office
A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.
Bit Parts
Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights
Risks of “Baseball Arbitration” in Resolving Real Estate Disputes
“Baseball arbitration” refers to the process used in Major League Baseball in which if an eligible player's representative and the club ownership cannot reach a compensation agreement through negotiation, each party enters a final submission and during a formal hearing each side — player and management — presents its case and then the designated panel of arbitrators chooses one of the salary bids with no other result being allowed. This method has become increasingly popular even beyond the sport of baseball.