New York (N.Y.). Human Resources Administration. Special Services for Children.

The Special Services for Children Agency investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect, provides preventive services to keep families together, and places children in foster care or adoptive homes when necessary.

The Bureau of Child Welfare operates three children's shelters which house and care for children temporarily while their cases await disposition. It is responsible for administering welfare services at the public expense for all children in need of care away from their homes, for unmarried mothers in need of pre-natal or post-natal care and for related services. It has seven divisions: Adoption Services, Auxiliary Services, Day Care, Foster Home Care, Homefinding, Services to Families and Shelter Boarding Home Care.

The Division of Adoption Services was officially established in July, 1960 to meet the needs of the New York community for a variety of adoption services. The Division of Foster Home Care was first established in 1949. Prior to this time private agencies provided the service while the city provided the funding. This division places children in licensed foster homes and oversees the care they receive. In June 1970, Adoption Services took over the responsibility for placing neglected and abused children in homes from the Family Court. The Division of Homefinding is in charge of locating suitable foster homes, and investigating applicants. The Bureau of Shelter Boarding Home Care supervises the placement of infants and pre-school children in temporary boarding homes.