FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Contact: mediainquiry@acs.nyc.gov
Jose Bayona/Carol Cáceres, ACS - (212) 341-0999

CALLING ALL APPLICATION DEVELOPERS, UX DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS: ACS NEEDS YOU FOR THE FIRST EVER NYC FOSTER CARE HACKATHON

First-ever City-hosted event to develop technical solutions to challenges faced by foster youth Submission for participation required by 11/23

New York, NY- On December 3rd and 4th, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation (MOTI) and Think of Us, an online platform supporting foster youth to successfully transition into a prosperous adulthood, will host the first ever NYC Foster Care Technology & Policy Hackathon. ACS is recruiting individuals from the tech community to help us “hack” NYC foster care system’s most pressing challenges in order to improve the lives of 9,000 children and youth in care.

Inspired by the White House’s Hackathon hosted in May in Washington D.C., the NYC Hackathon will bring together leaders in NYC’s child welfare field ( including youth), along with the tech sector, government, non-profits, and other agents of change to develop innovative tech solutions for six challenging issues facing foster youth, parents, and social workers.

“Technology has the incredible power to transform lives,” said ACS Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “We are excited to harness tech and partner with New York City’s robust tech community to develop solutions that make a significant impact on the foster care system.”

"We're thrilled to partner with ACS on this important effort to boost services and connectivity for New York’s foster care kids,” said Jeff Merritt, Director of Innovation at the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation. “This is an exciting opportunity for New York's brightest minds to come together, contribute their unique technology skills, and help better the lives of thousands of foster youth, foster parents and social workers."

"Witnessing tech and child welfare come together at The White House was amazing, however, it was just the first step,” said Sixto Cancel, CEO of Think of Us. ”We’re thrilled to continue the momentum as we work together with NYC’s leaders and talented tech community, to develop innovative ideas that will support more efficient and effective tech in the child welfare system."

The hackathon will begin on Saturday, December 3rd and will go overnight until Sunday, December 4th at eBay New York in Midtown Manhattan. Help us make a difference for NYC foster youth and families by helping us develop tech solutions that address the challenges below.

Youth Challenges:
• Peer to Peer Communication
• Enhancing Youth Voice in Transition Plans
• Speeding Up System Responses

Foster Parent Challenges:
• Connecting Foster Parents Together
• Recruiting Foster Parents

Social Worker Challenge:
• Reaching and Communicating with Youth

Prospective hackers can learn more and sign up via: https://thinkofus.typeform.com/to/tscZwd. Submissions from hackers are required by November 23, 2016. Hackers will be notified of their selection on November 28, 2016.

To learn more about the NYC Foster Care Technology & Policy Hackathon, please visit: www.nyc.gov/acs/hackathon.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care and education services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services, and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. In early care and education, ACS coordinates and funds programs and vouchers for close to 100,000 children eligible for subsidized care. For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/acs.