In 1867 a Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities was created to visit and examine into the affairs of all charitable institutions.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to provide for the appointment of a Board of Commissioners of Public Charities, and defining their duties and powers|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[90th New York State Legislature|90th sess.]]: II|year=1867|pages=2396–2399|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433107682068|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433107682068?urlappend=%3Bseq=1110}} Chapter 951, enacted 23 May 1867, effective immediately.</ref><ref name=bonez>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240404035034/https://casetext.com/case/matter-of-bonez-1 Matter of Bonez], 50 Misc. 2d 1080, 272 N.Y.S.2d 587 (N.Y. Misc. 1966)</ref> In 1875 the Children’s Law removed children from [[poorhouse]]s.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Children’s Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[98th New York State Legislature|98th sess.]]|year=1875|pages=150|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433107682217|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433107682217?urlappend=%3Bseq=164}} Chapter 173, enacted 24 April 1875.</ref><ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Children and Family Services, Office of|first=Richard|last=Andress|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of New York State|editor1-first=Peter|editor1-last=Eisenstadt|editor2-first=Laura-Eve|editor2-last=Moss|year=2005|pages=322|publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=081560808X|lccn=2005001032|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmHEm5ohoCUC&pg=PA322}}</ref> In 1894 a constitutional convention enacted a provision requiring the Legislature to establish a State Board of Charities to visit and inspect all institutions.<ref>NYS Constitution Art. VIII, § 11.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=State Charities Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[119th New York State Legislature|119th sess.]]: I|year=1896|pages=511–559|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433090742655|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433090742655?urlappend=%3Bseq=523}} Chapter 546, enacted 12 May 1896, effective 1 October 1896.</ref><ref name=bonez/> In 1909 the Poor Law was consolidated in chapter 42, and the State Charities Law in chapter 55, of the [[Consolidated Laws of New York]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Poor Law|title=[[Consolidated Laws of New York]]|volume=IV|year=1909|pages=2861–2912|issn=|hdl=|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MwobAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA2861}} Chapter 46 of the [[Laws of New York]], enacted 17 February 1909, effective immediately.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=State Charities Law|title=[[Consolidated Laws of New York]]|volume=V|year=1909|pages=3681–3796|issn=|hdl=|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymESAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3681}} Chapter 57 of the [[Laws of New York]], enacted 17 February 1909, effective immediately.</ref> The Public Welfare Law superseded the Poor Law in 1929.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act in relation to the public welfare, constituting chapter forty-two of the consolidated laws|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[152nd New York State Legislature|152nd sess.]]: I-II|year=1929|pages=1149–1572|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.b4378097|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b4378097?urlappend=%3Bseq=1227}} Chapter 565, enacted 12 April 1929, effective immediately and 1 January 1930.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1929, Chapter 565|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Library]]|date=12 April 1929|url=https://nysl.ptfs.com/aw-server/rest/product/purl/NYSL/i/cc93a119-1bdb-4db6-8f56-011f0672cf49}}</ref> In 1931 they were renamed as the Department of Social Welfare and the State Board of Social Welfare.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the state charities law, in relation to the designation of the department of charities and state board of charities,that such designations may be descriptive of their functions|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[152nd New York State Legislature|152nd sess.]]: I-II|year=1929|pages=1571–1572|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.b4378097|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b4378097?urlappend=%3Bseq=1675}} Chapter 654, enacted 15 April 1929, effective immediately.</ref><ref name=bonez/>
In 1867 a Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities was created to visit and examine into the affairs of all charitable institutions.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to provide for the appointment of a Board of Commissioners of Public Charities, and defining their duties and powers|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[90th New York State Legislature|90th sess.]]: II|year=1867|pages=2396–2399|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433107682068|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433107682068?urlappend=%3Bseq=1110}} Chapter 951, enacted 23 May 1867, effective immediately.</ref><ref name=bonez>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240404035034/https://casetext.com/case/matter-of-bonez-1 Matter of Bonez], 50 Misc. 2d 1080, 272 N.Y.S.2d 587 (N.Y. Misc. 1966)</ref> In 1875 the Children’s Law removed children from [[poorhouse]]s.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Children’s Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[98th New York State Legislature|98th sess.]]|year=1875|pages=150|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433107682217|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433107682217?urlappend=%3Bseq=164}} Chapter 173, enacted 24 April 1875.</ref><ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Children and Family Services, Office of|first=Richard|last=Andress|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of New York State|editor1-first=Peter|editor1-last=Eisenstadt|editor2-first=Laura-Eve|editor2-last=Moss|year=2005|pages=322|publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=081560808X|lccn=2005001032|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmHEm5ohoCUC&pg=PA322}}</ref> In 1894 a constitutional convention enacted a provision requiring the Legislature to establish a State Board of Charities to visit and inspect all institutions.<ref>NYS Constitution Art. VIII, § 11.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=State Charities Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[119th New York State Legislature|119th sess.]]: I|year=1896|pages=511–559|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433090742655|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433090742655?urlappend=%3Bseq=523}} Chapter 546, enacted 12 May 1896, effective 1 October 1896.</ref><ref name=bonez/> In 1909 the Poor Law was consolidated in chapter 42, and the State Charities Law in chapter 55, of the [[Consolidated Laws of New York]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Poor Law|title=[[Consolidated Laws of New York]]|volume=IV|year=1909|pages=2861–2912|issn=|hdl=|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MwobAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA2861}} Chapter 46 of the [[Laws of New York]], enacted 17 February 1909, effective immediately.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=State Charities Law|title=[[Consolidated Laws of New York]]|volume=V|year=1909|pages=3681–3796|issn=|hdl=|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymESAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3681}} Chapter 57 of the [[Laws of New York]], enacted 17 February 1909, effective immediately.</ref> The Public Welfare Law superseded the Poor Law in 1929.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act in relation to the public welfare, constituting chapter forty-two of the consolidated laws|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[152nd New York State Legislature|152nd sess.]]: I-II|year=1929|pages=1149–1572|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.b4378097|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b4378097?urlappend=%3Bseq=1227}} Chapter 565, enacted 12 April 1929, effective immediately and 1 January 1930.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1929, Chapter 565|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Library]]|date=12 April 1929|url=https://nysl.ptfs.com/aw-server/rest/product/purl/NYSL/i/cc93a119-1bdb-4db6-8f56-011f0672cf49}}</ref> In 1931 they were renamed as the Department of Social Welfare and the State Board of Social Welfare.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the state charities law, in relation to the designation of the department of charities and state board of charities,that such designations may be descriptive of their functions|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[152nd New York State Legislature|152nd sess.]]: I-II|year=1929|pages=1571–1572|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.b4378097|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b4378097?urlappend=%3Bseq=1675}} Chapter 654, enacted 15 April 1929, effective immediately.</ref><ref name=bonez/>
The [[Constitution of New York#Constitutional Convention of 1938|Constitutional Convention of 1938]] emphasized the state’s and its subdivisions’ duty to aid, care, and support the needy, including children.<ref name=bonez/> In 1940 the State Charities Law and the Public Welfare Law were combined into the Social Welfare Law.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Social Welfare Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[162nd New York State Legislature|163rd sess.]]|year=1940|pages=1640–1768|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433108121298|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433108121298?urlappend=%3Bseq=1660}} Chapter 619, enacted 18 April 1940, effective 1 March 1941.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1940, Chapter 619|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Library]]|date=18 April 1940|url=https://nysl.ptfs.com/aw-server/rest/product/purl/NYSL/i/3924a97e-0b39-4247-a46a-1026bc015e4f}}</ref><ref name=bonez/><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=22 April 1940 |title=LEHMAN SIGNS BILL ON WELFARE UNITY: Consolidation of Old Law and the Charities Act Is a Forward Step, He Asserts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/22/archives/lehman-signs-bill-on-welfare-unity-consolidation-of-old-law-and-the.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The Social Welfare Law mandated that public welfare districts, including New York City, were responsible for the welfare of children in need, either directly or through authorized agencies.<ref name=bonez/> In 1945, the New York State Youth Commission was created to study and make recommendations, and in 1955, the Temporary State Commission on Youth and Delinquency was created to review public policy, and in 1956 as a result of its work the State Youth Commission was reestablished as a permanent [[New York State Executive Department|Executive Department]] agency.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act authorizing the establishment, operation and maintenance of youth bureaus…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[165th New York State Legislature|168th sess.]]: I|year=1945|pages=1235–1239|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834407|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834407?urlappend=%3Bseq=1255}} Chapter 556, enacted 5 April 1945, effective 1 May 1945.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act creating a temporary state commission…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[170th New York State Legislature|178th sess.]]: II|year=1955|pages=1331–1332|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834548|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834548?urlappend=%3Bseq=29}} Chapter 603, enacted 22 April 1955, effective immediately.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the executive law, in relation to creating a permanent youth commission in the executive department…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[170th New York State Legislature|179th sess.]]: II|year=1956|pages=1426–1434|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834563|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834563?urlappend=%3Bseq=124}} Chapter 636, enacted 16 April 1956, effective at various dates.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”>{{cite web |title=Youth, Division for |url=https://www.archives.nysed.gov/creator-authority/new-york-state-division-youth <!– https://www.archives.nysed.gov/taxonomy/term/2300 –> |access-date=9 January 2026 |website=New York State Archives |publisher=New York State Education Department}}</ref> In 1960, the Division for Youth was created to supersede the commission and was authorized to establish and operate centers for the rehabilitation of delinquents.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the executive law and the code of criminal procedure, in relation to the creation and operation of a division for youth within the executive department, … and changing the name of the state youth commission to the council on youth.|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[172nd New York State Legislature|183rd sess.]]: II|year=1960|pages=2253–2258|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834647|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834647?urlappend=%3Bseq=757}} Chapter 881, enacted 28 April 1960, effective 1 July 1960.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”/> In 1967 the department was renamed as the Department of Social Services.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the title and body of the social welfare law, in relation to re-entitling such law as the social services law…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[177th New York State Legislature|190th sess.]]: I|year=1967|pages=1936–1938|issn=0892-287X|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gyNBCMMGDf0C&pg=PA1936}} Chapter 728, enacted 2 May 1967, effective 1 July 1967.</ref> In 1970, state and social services district [[youth detention center]]s were transferred from the department to the division.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the social services law, the executive law, the public health law, the family court act and the county law, in relation to the transfer of state institutions operated by the state department of social services to the state division for youth and the state department of health…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[179th New York State Legislature|194th sess.]]: II|year=1971|pages=2275–2294|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001862416|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001862416?urlappend=%3Bseq=651}} Chapter 947, enacted 25 June 1971, effective 1 July 1971.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”/>
The [[Constitution of New York#Constitutional Convention of 1938|Constitutional Convention of 1938]] emphasized the state’s and its subdivisions’ duty to aid, care, and support the needy, including children.<ref name=bonez/> In 1940 the State Charities Law and the Public Welfare Law were combined into the Social Welfare Law.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Social Welfare Law|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[162nd New York State Legislature|163rd sess.]]|year=1940|pages=1640–1768|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/nyp.33433108121298|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433108121298?urlappend=%3Bseq=1660}} Chapter 619, enacted 18 April 1940, effective 1 March 1941.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1940, Chapter 619|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Library]]|date=18 April 1940|url=https://nysl.ptfs.com/aw-server/rest/product/purl/NYSL/i/3924a97e-0b39-4247-a46a-1026bc015e4f}}</ref><ref name=bonez/><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=22 April 1940 |title=LEHMAN SIGNS BILL ON WELFARE UNITY: Consolidation of Old Law and the Charities Act Is a Forward Step, He Asserts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/22/archives/lehman-signs-bill-on-welfare-unity-consolidation-of-old-law-and-the.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The Social Welfare Law mandated that public welfare districts, including New York City, were responsible for the welfare of children in need, either directly or through authorized agencies.<ref name=bonez/> In 1945, the New York State Youth Commission was created to study and make recommendations, and in 1955, the Temporary State Commission on Youth and Delinquency was created to review public policy, and in 1956 as a result of its work the State Youth Commission was reestablished as a permanent [[New York State Executive Department|Executive Department]] agency.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act authorizing the establishment, operation and maintenance of youth bureaus…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[165th New York State Legislature|168th sess.]]: I|year=1945|pages=1235–1239|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834407|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834407?urlappend=%3Bseq=1255}} Chapter 556, enacted 5 April 1945, effective 1 May 1945.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act creating a temporary state commission…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[170th New York State Legislature|178th sess.]]: II|year=1955|pages=1331–1332|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834548|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834548?urlappend=%3Bseq=29}} Chapter 603, enacted 22 April 1955, effective immediately.</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the executive law, in relation to creating a permanent youth commission in the executive department…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[170th New York State Legislature|179th sess.]]: II|year=1956|pages=1426–1434|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834563|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834563?urlappend=%3Bseq=124}} Chapter 636, enacted 16 April 1956, effective at various dates.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”>{{cite web |title=Youth, Division for |url=https://www.archives.nysed.gov/creator-authority/new-york-state-division-youth <!– https://www.archives.nysed.gov/taxonomy/term/2300 –> |access-date=9 January 2026 |website=New York State Archives |publisher=New York State Education Department}}</ref> In 1960, the Division for Youth was created to supersede the commission and was authorized to establish and operate centers for the rehabilitation of delinquents.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the executive law and the code of criminal procedure, in relation to the creation and operation of a division for youth within the executive department, … and changing the name of the state youth commission to the council on youth.|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[172nd New York State Legislature|183rd sess.]]: II|year=1960|pages=2253–2258|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001834647|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001834647?urlappend=%3Bseq=757}} Chapter 881, enacted 28 April 1960, effective 1 July 1960.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”/> In 1967 the department was renamed as the Department of Social Services.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the title and body of the social welfare law, in relation to re-entitling such law as the social services law…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[177th New York State Legislature|190th sess.]]: I|year=1967|pages=1936–1938|issn=0892-287X|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gyNBCMMGDf0C&pg=PA1936}} Chapter 728, enacted 2 May 1967, effective 1 July 1967.</ref> In , state and social services district [[youth detention center]]s were transferred from the department to the division.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=An act to amend the social services law, the executive law, the public health law, the family court act and the county law, in relation to the transfer of state institutions operated by the state department of social services to the state division for youth and the state department of health…|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=[[179th New York State Legislature|194th sess.]]: II|year=1971|pages=2275–2294|issn=0892-287X|hdl=2027/uc1.a0001862416|chapter-url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.a0001862416?urlappend=%3Bseq=651}} Chapter 947, enacted 25 June 1971, effective 1 July 1971.</ref><ref name=”NYArchivesDFY”/>
OCFS was authorized by the [[Welfare Reform Act of 1997]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Welfare Reform Act of 1997|journal=[[Laws of New York|Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature]]|volume=[[192nd New York State Legislature|220th sess.]]: III|year=1997|pages=2806–2961|hdl=2027/nyp.33433017532999|issn=0892-287X|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433017532999?urlappend=%3Bseq=440}} Chapter 436, enacted 20 August 1997, effective immediately with provisos. § 122(a) at p. 2922: “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.”</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1997, Chapter 436|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Archives]]|date=20 August 1997|url=https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/34335}}</ref><ref>9 [[New York Codes, Rules and Regulations|CRR-NY]] 165-1.2.</ref> OCFS was officially created on January 5, 1998, by merging the programs of the former state Division for Youth, the developmental and preventive children and family programs administered by the former state Department of Social Services, and the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.<ref>{{cite book |title=New York Juvenile Delinquency Practice |last=Bogacz |first=Stephen John |isbn=9781579111793 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ezhYXV6U58oC&pg=PA716 |year=2018 |publisher=[[LexisNexis]] |at=FCA § 353.3}}</ref> The state [[New York State Council on Children and Families|Council on Children and Families]] was created by Governor [[Hugh Carey|Carey]] in 1977, and administratively merged with OCFS in 2003.<ref>[[Consolidated Laws of New York|Social Services Law]] [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/SOS/A10-C Article 10-C]. Chapter 757 of the [[Laws of New York|Laws of 1977]]. Chapter 62 of the [[Laws of New York|Laws of 2003]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|publisher=[[New York State Council on Children and Families]]|url=http://ccf.ny.gov/about-us/|accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref> Under Commissioner [[Gladys Carrión]], OCFS worked to depopulate youth detention facilities and shift towards community-based alternatives.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Judith S. |last=Kaye |authorlink=Judith Kaye |title=Juvenile Justice Reform: Now Is the Moment |volume=56 |journal=[[NYLS Law Review|N.Y.L. Sch. L. Rev.]] |issue=4 |pages=1299–1315 |date=January 2012 |url=https://digitalcommons.nyls.edu/nyls_law_review/vol56/iss4/2/}}</ref> In 2012, the state [[Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs]] was established to create uniform safeguards to protect people with special needs against abuse, neglect, and other conduct that would jeopardize their health, safety, and welfare.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Protection of People with Special Needs Act|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=|date=2012|pages=|issn=0892-287X|hdl=|chapter-url=https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2011/a10721}} Chapter 501, enacted 17 December 2012.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 2012, Chapter 501|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Archives]]|date=17 December 2012|url=https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/44782}}</ref>
OCFS was authorized by the [[Welfare Reform Act of 1997]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Welfare Reform Act of 1997|journal=[[Laws of New York|Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature]]|volume=[[192nd New York State Legislature|220th sess.]]: III|year=1997|pages=2806–2961|hdl=2027/nyp.33433017532999|issn=0892-287X|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433017532999?urlappend=%3Bseq=440}} Chapter 436, enacted 20 August 1997, effective immediately with provisos. § 122(a) at p. 2922: “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.”</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 1997, Chapter 436|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Archives]]|date=20 August 1997|url=https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/34335}}</ref><ref>9 [[New York Codes, Rules and Regulations|CRR-NY]] 165-1.2.</ref> OCFS was officially created on January 5, 1998, by merging the programs of the former state Division for Youth, the developmental and preventive children and family programs administered by the former state Department of Social Services, and the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.<ref>{{cite book |title=New York Juvenile Delinquency Practice |last=Bogacz |first=Stephen John |isbn=9781579111793 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ezhYXV6U58oC&pg=PA716 |year=2018 |publisher=[[LexisNexis]] |at=FCA § 353.3}}</ref> The state [[New York State Council on Children and Families|Council on Children and Families]] was created by Governor [[Hugh Carey|Carey]] in 1977, and administratively merged with OCFS in 2003.<ref>[[Consolidated Laws of New York|Social Services Law]] [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/SOS/A10-C Article 10-C]. Chapter 757 of the [[Laws of New York|Laws of 1977]]. Chapter 62 of the [[Laws of New York|Laws of 2003]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|publisher=[[New York State Council on Children and Families]]|url=http://ccf.ny.gov/about-us/|accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref> Under Commissioner [[Gladys Carrión]], OCFS worked to depopulate youth detention facilities and shift towards community-based alternatives.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Judith S. |last=Kaye |authorlink=Judith Kaye |title=Juvenile Justice Reform: Now Is the Moment |volume=56 |journal=[[NYLS Law Review|N.Y.L. Sch. L. Rev.]] |issue=4 |pages=1299–1315 |date=January 2012 |url=https://digitalcommons.nyls.edu/nyls_law_review/vol56/iss4/2/}}</ref> In 2012, the state [[Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs]] was established to create uniform safeguards to protect people with special needs against abuse, neglect, and other conduct that would jeopardize their health, safety, and welfare.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Protection of People with Special Needs Act|title=[[Laws of New York]]|volume=|date=2012|pages=|issn=0892-287X|hdl=|chapter-url=https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2011/a10721}} Chapter 501, enacted 17 December 2012.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 2012, Chapter 501|author=Counsel to the Governor|authorlink=New York State Executive Department|publisher=[[New York State Archives]]|date=17 December 2012|url=https://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/44782}}</ref>
