Pushing probes on parents hurts families

Manhattan: Re “Child welfare responses for kids in need” (op-ed, July 6): NYC Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston is right that reducing unwarranted reports of child abuse and neglect must be a priority, and she names a key reason: Too many reports stem from poverty, not danger. In 2025, New York investigated 130,407 Child Protective Services reports alleging “neglect or deprivation of necessities” (alleged in 95% of all reports), but only about one in five were substantiated. When a family simply needs food or housing, an investigation helps no one and may discourage families from seeking support.

The question is how to act on that priority. One solution before the state Legislature is the Supporting Families Together Act. Today, mandated reporters can face criminal and civil penalties for not reporting — a threat that drives over-reporting. Professionals across the state have told us that fear of penalties compels them to report even when a child’s safety isn’t at stake. This bill would remove those penalties, letting professionals use their judgment to connect families with help while still allowing any genuine safety concerns to be reported.

Long-lasting harm comes from the experience of a CPS investigation itself. Every child and caregiver spared this harm is real progress — and this bill would spare many.

Rachel Ghosh, senior policy researcher, Children’s Rights

Manhattan: The decision to bring whole and 2% milk back to school lunches reflects the influence of the dairy industry more than the needs of today’s students. Millions of Americans — particularly people of color — are lactose........

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