Parents’ Messages for New York City’s New Child Welfare Commissioner

On July 26, New York city's Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner John Mattingly announced that he was stepping down after seven years of running the child welfare system in New York City. Queens judge Ronald Richter will become commissioner in September.  One group affected by the change is the Parent Advisory Workgroup (PAWG), a group of parent advocates citywide who bring parents’ perspectives and needs into focus at quarterly meetings with ACS’ commissioner and top staff. Here, PAWG members share their experiences with Commissioner Mattingly and their top agenda items for the new administration.