New York State Department of Family Assistance

Department of Family Assistance
Department overview
Jurisdiction New York
Child agencies Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Children and Family Services
Key documents Social Services Law
Executive Law

The New York State Department of Family Assistance (DFA), also known as the Department of Family Services, is the department of the New York state government[1] consisting of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).[2][3] Its regulations are compiled in title 18 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations.

History

On August 20, 1997, Governor Pataki signed the Welfare Reform Act of 1997 that, in relevant part, renamed the Department of Social Services (DSS) as the Department of Family Assistance, and also divided the department into Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).[3][4][5][6] These two offices assumed many of DSS' functions. Other functions of the former DSS were transferred to the Department of Labor and the Department of Health. In addition, as part of the reorganization of State government, OCFS assumed all of the functions of the Division for Youth (DFY).[7] It was also formerly the Department of Social Welfare.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Social Services Law § 5. "The state department of social welfare, provided for in the constitution, is hereby continued."
  2. Executive Law § 500. "There is hereby continued in the department of family assistance an autonomous office of children and family services. [...]"
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Welfare Reform Act of 1997, Chap. 436 of the Laws of 1997, § 122. "(a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law to the contrary, effective April 1, 1997, the department of social services, as established by chapter 55 of the consolidated laws of the state of New York, is hereby renamed the department of family assistance. Within the department there shall be the following autonomous offices: (1) the office of children and family services; and (2) the office of temporary and disability assistance. (b) The head of the office of children and family services shall be the commissioner of children and family services and the head of the office of temporary and disability assistance shall be the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance. [...]"
  4. "Analysis Of The NYS Welfare Reform Act Of 1997". Western New York Law Center. § 122.
  5. Governing New York State. 2006. p. 358.
  6. The Encyclopedia of New York State. 2005. p. 544.
  7. "New York State Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion No. 98-06". New York State Ethics Commission.

External links