Child welfare predictive analytics systems

Todd Feathers filed this request with the Administration of Children’s Services of New York City, NY.

It is a clone of this request.

Tracking #

2023-HQFO-00314

2021-067-00085

Status
Completed

Communications

From: Todd Feathers

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

1) Contracts with any company, nonprofit, or other entity that currently provides software to the department that includes predictive analytics models for child welfare (i.e., models designed to identify home placement risk, abuse risk, human trafficking risk, etc.). This should include contracts for CCWIS or comparable systems that include predictive models as well as project descriptions for any models created in-house.

2) Data dictionaries for all child welfare predictive models used by the department, including those provided by outside entities as well as in-house models. Data dictionaries are documents commonly created for predictive models and databases. They describe the categories of data that are inputs (age, gender, etc.) and outputs (risk level, etc.) of predictive models. They are equivalent to headers on a spreadsheet, and do not include actual data.

3) A list of all memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and/or data sharing agreements with state or local agencies for the provision of data that is incorporated into the department's child welfare predictive models. Should the department not maintain a list of these MOUs, I will accept copies of the MOUs themselves.

4) Any differential impact assessments, validation studies, or comparable documents that describe the accuracy of child welfare predictive models used by the department. This should include any documents that describe common measures of predictive accuracy, such as area under the curve (AUC).

5) All department policies, employee manuals, and guidelines describing how employees can and/or should use child welfare predictive models.

6) All governance board, committee, or outside expert reviews assessing the efficacy of the department's proposed or current child welfare predictive models.

Should you have questions regarding any aspect of this request, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employ involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.

I would prefer the request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you very much for your help, and I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

From: Administration of Children’s Services

Your request FOIL-2021-067-00085 has been successfully submitted to the Administration for Children's Services (ACS).
The details of your request are shown below.

Request Title: Child welfare predictive analytics systems

Request Description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

1) Contracts with any company, nonprofit, or other entity that currently provides software to the department that includes predictive analytics models for child welfare (i.e., models designed to identify home placement risk, abuse risk, human trafficking risk, etc.). This should include contracts for CCWIS or comparable systems that include predictive models as well as project descriptions for any models created in-house.

2) Data dictionaries for all child welfare predictive models used by the department, including those provided by outside entities as well as in-house models. Data dictionaries are documents commonly created for predictive models and databases. They describe the categories of data that are inputs (age, gender, etc.) and outputs (risk level, etc.) of predictive models. They are equivalent to headers on a spreadsheet, and do not include actual data.

3) A list of all memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and/or data sharing agreements with state or local agencies for the provision of data that is incorporated into the department's child welfare predictive models. Should the department not maintain a list of these MOUs, I will accept copies of the MOUs themselves.

4) Any differential impact assessments, validation studies, or comparable documents that describe the accuracy of child welfare predictive models used by the department. This should include any documents that describe common measures of predictive accuracy, such as area under the curve (AUC).

5) All department policies, employee manuals, and guidelines describing how employees can and/or should use child welfare predictive models.

6) All governance board, committee, or outside expert reviews assessing the efficacy of the department's proposed or current child welfare predictive models.

Should you have questions regarding any aspect of this request, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employ involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.

I would prefer the request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you very much for your help, and I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/


Requester's Contact Information



Name:
Todd Feathers

Title:
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Email:
requests@muckrock.com (mailto:requests@muckrock.com)

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Street Address (line 1):
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You can view the request and take any necessary action at the following webpage: https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has acknowledged your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Additional Information:
Please be advised that we are processing your request which includes searching for what, if any, responsive documents exist. You may expect to receive a response on or about June 24, 2021. If we are unable to provide a substantive response on that date, we will provide a time frame of when the response will be complete.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Friday, September 24, 2021.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records, if any, and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Friday, September 24, 2021, contingent upon our ability to access the requested records while working off-site/remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Friday, December 17, 2021.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records, if any, and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Friday, December 17, 2021.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records, if any, and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Monday, April 25, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records, if any, and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Monday, April 25, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Thursday, June 30, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Thursday, June 30, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Monday, August 1, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Monday, August 1, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Friday, September 23, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the volume of the information to be compiled, reviewed and analyzed in this FOIL request, along with the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete the search, review and analysis of responsive records and respond to this request. ACS anticipates responding to your request on or before Friday, September 23, 2022.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Monday, October 24, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete  and respond to this request.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Thursday, December 8, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete  and respond to this request.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons: (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) You can expect a response on or about Thursday, December 29, 2022.

Additional Information:
Based on the nature of other complicated FOIL requests currently being handled, ACS needs additional time to complete and respond to this request.

Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has responded to your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 with the following file(s). (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085) NOTE: You must be logged in to your OpenRecords account to access the file(s). If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to do so when the link is selected. The file(s) listed below will not be publicly available on the OpenRecords portal.


* 8._PAAG_-_28_Sep_18_AY_aw.pptx: 8._PAAG_-_28_Sep_18_AY_aw.pptx (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589198)
* 5._PAAG_agenda_3.30.2018.pdf: 5._PAAG_agenda_3.30.2018.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589199)
* 2._Letter_-_Building_Capacity_to_Use_Predictive_Analytic_Modeling_in_Child_Welfare_May_24_2016.pdf: 2._Letter_-_Building_Capacity_to_Use_Predictive_Analytic_Modeling_in_Child_Welfare_May_24_2016.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589200)
* 9._PAAG_-_11_Mar_19_AY_V3.pptx: 9._PAAG_-_11_Mar_19_AY_V3.pptx (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589201)
* 10._ACS_PRM_-_OCFS_11.4.2019.pptx: 10._ACS_PRM_-_OCFS_11.4.2019.pptx (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589202)
* 6._PRM_for_QA_Case_Selection_9.26.2018_DRAFT_FOR_COMMENTS.docx: 6._PRM_for_QA_Case_Selection_9.26.2018_DRAFT_FOR_COMMENTS.docx (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589203)
* 11._Ethical-Guidelines-for-Applying-Predictive-Tools-within-Human-Services_Sept-2017.pdf: 11._Ethical-Guidelines-for-Applying-Predictive-Tools-within-Human-Services_Sept-2017.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589204)
* 7._PAAG_-_PA_in_Child_Welfare_-_30_Mar_18_Final.pptx: 7._PAAG_-_PA_in_Child_Welfare_-_30_Mar_18_Final.pptx (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589205)
* 4._PAAG_agenda_9.28.2018.pdf: 4._PAAG_agenda_9.28.2018.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589206)
* 3._OSP_endorsed_CUNY_ACS.pdf: 3._OSP_endorsed_CUNY_ACS.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589207)
* 12._Racial_Equity_and_Predictive_Analytics_in_CW_FINAL.pdf: 12._Racial_Equity_and_Predictive_Analytics_in_CW_FINAL.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589208)
* 1._Hunter_MOU.pdf: 1._Hunter_MOU.pdf (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/response/2589209)
Please visit FOIL-2021-067-00085 to view additional information and take any necessary action. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2021-067-00085)

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From: Administration of Children’s Services

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has closed your FOIL request FOIL-2021-067-00085 for the following reasons:
Your request for records pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) has been reviewed and is granted in part and denied in part. ACS has uploaded, onto the OpenRecords portal, the following twelve (12) documents: 1. Hunter MOU.pdf, 2. Letter – Building Capacity to Use Predictive Analytic Modeling in Child Welfare (May 24, 2016).pdf, 3. OSP_endorsed_CUNY_ACS.pdf, 4. PAAG agenda 9.28.2018.pdf, 5. PAAG agenda 3.30.2018.pdf, 6. PRM for QA Case Selection_9.26.2018_DRAFT FOR COMMENTS.docx, 7. PAAG - PA in Child Welfare - 30 Mar 18 Final.pptx, 8. PAAG - 28 Sep 18 AY aw.pptx, 9. PAAG - 11 Mar 19_AY V3_SP.pptx, 10. ACS PRM - OCFS 11.4.2019.pptx, 11. Ethical-Guidelines-for-Applying-Predictive-Tools-within-Human-Services_Sept-2017.pdf and 12. Racial Equity and Predictive Analytics in CW_FINAL.pdf. The request for records listed in section 1 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The records responsive to this request are # 1, # 2 and # 3. Portions of the records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL § 87(2)(b) because the disclosure of the redacted information would “constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy …” and NY POL § 87(2)(d) as the material are, “trade secrets or are submitted to an agency by a commercial enterprise or derived from information obtained from a commercial enterprise and which if disclosed would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the subject enterprise.” The request for records listed in section 2 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The records responsive to this request are # 4, # 5 and # 6. Records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL § 87(2)(g) as they were considered inter-agency or intra-agency material that did not fall within the four exceptions. The request for records listed in section 3 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The records responsive to this request are # 1, # 2 and # 3. Portions of the records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL § 87(2)(b) and NY POL § 87(2)(d). The request for records listed in section 4 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The record responsive to this request is # 6. Records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL 87(2)(g) as they were considered inter-agency or intra-agency material that did not fall within the four exceptions. The request for records listed in section 5 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The records responsive to this request are # 6, # 7, # 8, # 9 and #10. Records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL § 87(2)(g) as they were considered inter-agency or intra-agency material that did not fall within the four exceptions. The request for records listed in section 6 of your request is granted in part and denied in part. The records responsive to this request are # 1, # 2, # 3, # 11 and # 12. Portions of the records are being withheld pursuant to NY POL § 87(2)(b) and NY POL § 87(2)(d). You may appeal the decision to deny access to material that was redacted in part or withheld in entirety by contacting the agency's FOIL Appeals Officer: FOILAppeal@acs.nyc.gov within 30 days.

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