FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To: Media and Other Interested Parties

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY CONCLUDES LEGAL REVIEW

Canton, New York -- St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators were recently presented with the
final review and findings of a year-long investigation of the operations of Child Protective Services
and Preventive Services, subdivisions of the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services,
by Hancock Estabrook, LLP. Hancock Estabrook, LLP, a Syracuse, New York based law firm
was retained by the County following the County’s receipt of 37 complaints from various
individuals between mid-2021 and early 2022. The legal review presentation followed quickly on
the heels of the completion of a systemic agency review performed by the Bonadio Group to assess
the complaints and identify any deficiencies in the performance of the Child Protective and
Preventive units. In addition to the presentation by Hancock Estabrook, LLP, Board members
were given statistical data related to the outcomes of the complaints tied to the complainants. Due
to New York State Social Services Law limitations, identifying information was removed to
protect the confidentiality of the complainants and any impacted children.

The County was originally presented with 47 written complaints. Of the 47 complaints, 35
complainants were identified as represented by counsel. Of the 35 complaints represented by
counsel and submitted in written fashion, 21 were identified as mutually exclusive (meaning not
duplicative of another complaint having been submitted). In addition, three complaints were
identified based upon formal public comment provided to the St. Lawrence County Board of
Legislators even though no written complaint was submitted. Of the 47 complaints identified, 37
were resolved through review by the New York State Family Court or through administrative
proceedings overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Of the 35
resolved, several of which dating back to the early 2000s, 26 arose in the context of a neglect and
abuse proceeding, 5 arose in the context of a custody proceeding (2 of which did not arise in St.
Lawrence County), and 4 of the complaints had no prior involvement with the Department of
Social Services or were only tangentially involved.
The complaints prompted significant review and changes at the St. Lawrence County Department
of Social Services leading to a historic turnaround in agency results. In 2021, the Board of
Legislators appointed St. Lawrence County Attorney Stephen Button to assume operational
oversight of the DSS Legal Unit. Based upon the completed agency review by the Bonadio Group,
there were 19 recommendations for proposed changes to operations, in addition to some legislative
modifications implemented at the onset of the review. In 2022, the Board of Legislators appointed
Joseph Seeber to the position of Commissioner of the Department. Commissioner Seeber oversaw
the development and implementation of a 19 point corrective action plan based upon the agency
review performed by the Bonadio Group. Seeber recently informed the Board of Legislators that
he had successfully implemented 15 of the 19 points from the corrective action plan developed by
Staff. The Board of Legislators commended Seeber and Button for their work but also commended
current County Administrator Ruth Doyle for providing essential support regarding the
turnaround.

“As the public should be well aware, the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators has taken the
complaints very seriously, working tirelessly to review the operations and implement changes
across the spectrum of operations in the Department of Social Services,” stated St. Lawrence
County Board of Legislators Chair William Sheridan. “What Commissioner Seeber and his folks
at the Department have accomplished is nothing short of spectacular and they should be
commended for their outstanding work. What the reports have shown us is that we could do better
than we were. With the number of on-time safety reports going to near 100%, a drop of more than
30% of the kids placed in foster care, and a reduction in the overall burden on our staff assignments,
we are doing better every day.”

Department of Social Services Commissioner Joseph Seeber commented that “The Department is
a great place to work if you want to help children, families, and less fortunate people. While the
focus of this review was on Child Protective Services and Preventive Services, it has driven a
larger review of the entire operation. We should not forget that the original complaints stem from
a minute fraction of the people assisted and of what actually takes place at the Department of
Social Services daily. We have a group of wonderful and dedicated public servants who assist the
general public in every facet of life, from Medicaid administration to HEAP Assistance, from
SNAP Benefits to Adult Protections. These folks come to work every day and help thousands
annually who are less fortunate.” Seeber continued, “Since my arrival, we have remedied issues
previously brought to light and currently stand in front of state averages on almost every
measurable metric available. The Department has worked through these challenges with support
from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The numbers confirm that
caseworkers and support staff are working hard under stressful circumstances to help the most
vulnerable people in our county here. I am proud of them for that.”

County Administrator Ruth Doyle said “We appreciate the services of the Bonadio Group and
Hancock Estabrook, LLP. Their critical review of thousands of documents and hundreds of cases
have helped us to refocus the efforts of our staff as we move forward. It is clear that the changes
implemented by the Board of Legislators and Commissioner Seeber have proven to be a success.
The numbers demonstrate great progress. The employees of the Department of Social Services
should be proud of their efforts as the implemented changes clearly demonstrate a dedication to a
better outcomes for all who are served by the Department.”

County Attorney Stephen Button who assumed oversight on the Department’s legal matters in
2021 stated, “A wise man from the North Country once said, ‘Success means leaving the woodpile
slightly higher than the way you found it.’ There is no denying it; the Department has improved
over this time frame, and built the outcome of services to a higher standard than they found it.
The diligent efforts of the Board of Legislators and Commissioner Seeber have yielded results.
For instance, thirty-seven complainants resolved through the New York State Court system or
administrative oversight represented twenty-two cases. Of those twenty-two cases, twenty have
been closed resulting in permanent homes for thirty children who would otherwise likely still be
in the System. Two cases remain pending. That is thirty innocent children that needed stability and
got it; it is safe to say the staff at the Department of Social Services have risen to the challenges
put before them.”

St. Lawrence County, a political subdivision of the State of New York, is large and
geographically diverse; located along New York’s northern border with Canada, its population of
108,505 lives primarily in five primary population centers. Seventeen K-12 school districts cover
the County, as well as five colleges and universities. Approximately 40% of the County is
located within the Adirondack Park (a 6 million acre region encompassing large wilderness areas
and known for its “patchwork” of public and private lands), and 78 miles are nestled along the
expansive St. Lawrence River. From Canton, the County Seat, major metropolitan areas such as
Syracuse, Ottawa, and Montreal are two or less hours away.

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