ACS admitted taking benefits from orphaned NYC kids for years. Wheres that money now? NBC New York [Video]

There is new scrutiny on New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) after it was accused of diverting funds from disabled children. The agency has also acknowledged it also took benefits from orphan children for more than a decade.

On Friday, the ACS Commissioner testified at budget hearings at City Hall — but in his testimony did not address questions as to where the money is now, and why the agency did not give federal funds directly to disabled children in foster care.

ACS previously acknowledged that from 2011-2019, it took $18.8 million dollars in survivor benefits. However, it says the policy changed under the Adams administration, during July 2022, to conserve those benefits in interest-bearing accounts.

The agency continues to divert federal disability funds, saying it will now give disabled children leaving foster care a $2,000 benefit. ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser, who testified Friday, said hundreds of children …