A state run diversion program associated with Child Protective Services (CPS) has been terminated in Monroe County following a recent study which questioned its effectiveness.

At one time, 30 counties within the state of New York utilized the Family Assessment Program (FAR).

Among the findings, the review determined that there is no proof that the program makes children safer.

Commissioner of Human Services, Corinda Crossdale, says the main difference between CPS and FAR is that CPS interviews family members one on one and FAR interviews the family in a group setting.

“It doesn’t matter if you go FAR track or if you go traditional CPS investigations. Safety assessments and risk assessments are done throughout the course of the investigations. So if we determine that a case no longer qualifies for FAR based on our safety assessment and risk assessment, we will switch that back to your traditional CPS track. That means the case could be indicated or unfounded. There is no case that our CPS workers engage with that there would not be a safety assessment or risk assessment done,” said Crossdale.