Advocates are touting the Administration for Children's Services' decision to revamp its nursery for neglected children after almost 20 years.

The nursery houses some of the borough's most vulnerable children when they are liberated from tough situations.

"It may be the first place they come if there are issues in the family that require us to temporarily remove the children," says ACS Commissioner David Hansell. "They may be coming here because their parents are trying to re-unify with their children. It's a place where we can supervise their visitation."

But critics for years have said the nursery's neglected appearance failed to put children at ease.

"It was in pretty sad shape, to be honest," Hansell says. "It wasn't the kind of place we felt proud bringing children, and that's why we made it such a priority through the renovation."

The redesign includes more welcoming colors and artwork.

"The art pieces here are custom done for the place, and the colors that are used here have been purposely made more cheerful and brighter," says Angel Mendoza, the agency's medical director. 

Officials say the changes should help lead troubled children and their families down a brighter path toward the future.