Sullivan County Legislators reviewed an analysis of the county’s child welfare policies and procedures Thursday during a meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Commissioned by the Legislature at the request of County Manager Joshua Potosek, the review was conducted by the Bonadio Group earlier this year. It followed investigations by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and a Sullivan County Grand Jury into the tragic death of a toddler last year. Sixteen-month-old Akasha Luvert died on May 2, 2023, from an apparent overdose of fentanyl and xylazine while staying with her family at a Knights Inn motel in Liberty, NY.
Dan Hust, Communications Director for Sullivan County Government, shared insights about the 60-page report on Radio Chatskill. The report highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement in the county’s child welfare programs, which encompass Child Protective Services, Preventive Services, Foster Care, and related legal support.
Image: The Knight’s Inn Motel on Route 52 in the Village of Liberty where 16-month-old Akasha Luvert died on May 2, 2023. (Credit: Mark Lieb, Rockland Video Productions)
Are the CPS that damn straight up slow to get the kid away from these people, good lord above, wander why I don’t stand Sullivan county New York no more
The department of children and family services should of course get more involved in the support of our children….I am so sorry to have heard of that nightmare that occurred that evening……Look….our children are our future and we all have to stand together to keep our children safe and of course out of harms way…..To our local CPS agents- please get more involved, because whether you all know it or not , you are their voices when situations happen when they cannot speak up for themselves……Thank you…..