Susanti Sarkar

New York

NYC reporter @theimprintnews | Investigative journalism alum🕵️‍♀️ @MedillSchool | for stories or tips, [email protected]

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Articles

NY Lawmakers Pass Bill to Ban Anonymous CPS Hotline Reports

1 week ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Lawmakers have paved the way for New York to become one of only two states in the country that requires people reporting child abuse and neglect to identify themselves. If signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the bill passed by the state Legislature Monday would address the long-standing but controversial practice of accepting anonymous calls at the state hotline.
New York Lawmakers Approve Bill to Give Foster Youth Luggage

3 weeks ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would end a common practice widely despised among foster youth: moving between homes with their possessions dumped in a garbage bag. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi and Sen. Jabari Brisport, was unanimously approved Thursday by both houses of the New York State Legislature.
Attorney Explains Concerns Over NY Partner Drug Use Case

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Nearly 50 legal organizations, nonprofits and scholars are urging the New York State Court of Appeals to weigh in on a rare child welfare case involving a father accused of harming a fetus — by not preventing his pregnant partner’s drug use. Cynthia Godsoe, a Brooklyn law professor and former children’s attorney, is among those who signed on to a friend-of-the court brief this spring in support of a father identified as Joe B.
Bad Day in Foster Care? In NY, Peers Are Just a Phone Call Away

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

New peer support called “The Heartline” was announced today, and it offers New York foster youth a private, anonymous way to seek help when they’re struggling and fearful that sharing information with adults in their lives could make matters worse. Those picking up calls to the “warmline” — similar to a hotline, but for non-crisis issues — are trained peer counselors who have experienced the child welfare system themselves.
Final NY Budget Helps Low-Income Families Meet Basic Needs

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Against the backdrop of a federal government taking aim at public spending on low-income children and families, New York lawmakers have agreed to significant investments in these working poor households. Both houses of the state Legislature passed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget late Thursday night — a $254 billion spending plan finalized after more than a month’s delay.
NYC’s New Office of Foster Care is Making Headway

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Bronx foster mom Jean Pennant is used to the hectic routine of school pickups and dropoffs. She has taken care of 14 foster children over the last decade. Currently, she has five children in her home, including a 2-month-old baby and an 11-year-old on the autism spectrum who must be taken to school in his old neighborhood more than an hour away in Queens — on top of frequent visits to a neurologist.
‘What Are You Doing for Us?’ NYC Youth Ask Mayoral Candidates

2 months ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

At a virtual public forum Thursday, New York City youth pushed mayoral candidates on their plans to improve the lives of foster, immigrant and homeless populations often overlooked by politicians. Zaqanah, 22, described feeling helpless while she continues to move in and out of shelters, unable to qualify for youth housing programs or find livable apartments even with a housing voucher. “Landlords ignore me.
NY Budget Fails to Address Looming Child Care ‘Crisis'

2 months ago | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Concerns persist as April 1 budget deadline is extended. As New York’s budget negotiations draw to a close, advocates and lawmakers are fighting for millions of dollars in funding to support thousands of families across the state who are on the brink of losing access to affordable child care.
Foster Youth and Advocates Rally to End Use of Trash Bags

Mar 27, 2025 | imprintnews.org | Susanti Sarkar

Former foster youth joined lawmakers for a rally on the steps of the state Capitol this week after a New York bill that sought to end the practice of giving foster youth trash bags to transport their belongings failed to make it onto the Legislature’s budget proposals for the coming fiscal year. Advocates held the rally to demand passage of legislation that calls for providing proper luggage to thousands of foster youth around the state.
NYC Stands Out for Tallying Foster Youth on Psych Meds

Mar 27, 2025 | imprintnews.org | Michael FitzGerald |Michael Fitzgerald |Susanti Sarkar

Part 2 in The Imprint series Medicated in Foster Care: Who’s Looking Out? Read Part 1 here. Nearly one in four New York City foster youth ages 7 to 17 is placed on psychiatric medications — a powerful class of drugs including stimulants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants. In group facilities, it’s one in three, and there’s a growing number of school-age kids receiving multiple meds at once.