Joyce McMillan, one of New York City’s outspoken, longtime activists for families, was fired from her part-time job because ACS is a Goliath that will not stand for a Strong Black Woman Standing Up and Speaking Truth to Power.

Joyce had the temerity to call out ACS' failure as an agency when, after being in Court to support her friend and a prominent local activist, she posted on FB: "Went to court w/ a parent yesterday - CM was asked what services she offered the parent? she said DRUG SCREENINGS - HELLO - that’s not a service!!!"   That was enough for ACS to decide that Joyce MUST GO!

ACS-NYC, with its $2.65 billion dollar budget, reached out it's mighty hand and told Sinergia, the contractor who employs Joyce on a part-time basis as a Coordinator, that they (Sinergia) MUST fire Joyce or lose its contract w/ACS.  The reason given by ACS for the strong-arm tactic was their theory that the FB post was evidence that Joyce MIGHT disclose confidential info about Sinergia's cases.  She NEVER has.

So ACS' FEAR of Joyce's 'possible future violation of confidentiality' meant she had to be fired, or Sinergia would lose its contract.  ACS, the agency that is supposed to be helping families, felt it was a good use of its resources and power to threaten to destroy a small community-based organization--an organization that actually helps families, in particular low income Black and Brown parents with disabilities, get the services and supports they need or else risk permanent dissolution of their family by ACS. Sinergia terminated Joyce. ACS came under fire and immense pressure - they backed off the threat to Sinergia, and Joyce was rehired after 3 days.

But this is not a fairy tale ending! This is a frightening nightmare of what happens when millions of dollars goes into the hands of an agency with unchecked power - police power to take kids away and punish people who disagree with them.  

Joyce McMillan did not cower after seeing up close and personal how mighty ACS’ power is.  No, this act of intimidation and retaliation by ACS only served to increase the urgency of shedding light on the lengths ACS will go to to stifle dissent.  Joyce organized a rally on MLK day, in support of parents who have suffered the unwelcome intrusion of ACS in their lives.  Joyce had a billboard erected in Harlem calling out ACS caseworkers as the police.  Joyce was also referenced in a feature that ran in Mother Jones in January, 2021.  Joyce would not be silenced by the might of ACS and no parent should. 

What if that $2.65 billion dollars was spread around to small, community based organizations who provide the necessary services to keep families intact?

What families need is the support of advocates, like Joyce, who are committed to keeping Black and Brown families together and giving them the services they need, like housing, jobs, food, medical care - NOT drug screens, parenting classes, family surveillance and control.

The time is NOW to divest from ACS and invest directly into our communities.

Join us in telling our elected leaders and philanthropy that ACS does not serve the needs of our community and we want that funding to go to groups that work directly with families without policing, punishment and control. Tell them that you support Investing in Families and Divesting from ACS!