Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Call to Action: Learn how the proposed Vendor Bill might affect your business

 

Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce for a webinar briefing on the vendor bill April 24^th at 1:00 p.m. to highlight the potential impacts of this bill on our businesses. 

The proposed changes, including a 2-foot buffer from the curb and the allowance for vendors to set up in front of street furniture, could significantly alter our streetscape and increase competition for our small businesses. We believe it is crucial for our business community to unite and voice our concerns.

Your support and collaboration are vital as we work to protect the interests of our local business community.

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Bronx Chamber of Commerce 1200 Waters Place, 

Suite 106, Bronx, NY 10461

MAYOR ADAMS, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS TO OPEN 16 MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS IN NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

Clinics Will Serve Over 6,000 New York City Public Schools Students Across Bronx and Central Brooklyn

 

Clinics Part of Adams Administration’s $5 Million Mental Health Continuum Partnership to Support Over 20,000 Students in South Bronx and Central Brooklyn

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals today announced the opening of 16 school-based mental health clinics in New York City Department of Education (DOE) schools over the next six months to serve over 6,000 students across the Bronx and Central Brooklyn. Clinics will offer students access to individual, family, and group therapy, with connections to outpatient clinics and telehealth services as needed. Additionally, teachers and school staff will have access to mental health clinic staff for consultation, trainings, and workshops to ensure students are appropriately supported and referred to care. Schools will also receive support so they can respond to mental health crises without contacting 911 unnecessarily and avoid needless emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The 16 new satellite clinics build on the five existing mental health clinics that NYC Health + Hospitals already utilizes in the city’s public schools.

 

The new school-based mental health clinics are funded with $3.6 million from the Mental Health Continuum, a $5 million partnership between NYC Health + Hospitals, DOE, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and Advocates for Children announced as part of the Adams administration’s mental health agenda, “Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City.” The clinics also received a total of $700,000 in grants from the New York state Office of Mental Health through the Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Service Program.

 

“The stress, isolation, and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed mental health to the forefront of the conversation for so many of us,” said Mayor Adams. “By investing in student mental health and delivering services right where young people need them most — in our public schools — we are building upstream solutions that will help us build a healthier city.”

 

“Family and youth mental health are key components of our overall plan to support mental health for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We are creating a layered approach to supporting young people adding these clinics in the Bronx and Brooklyn to a combination of other touch points including our TeenSpace initiative offering free tele-mental health services to young people. Thank you to all our partners making this work happen.”

 

“Youth mental health is at a critical point and these new clinical services are needed now more than ever, especially in our schools,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Deputy Chief Medical Officer and System Chief of Behavioral Health Omar Fattal, MD, MPH. “These satellite clinics will provide a critical access point for students to get timely access to mental health services both inside of schools and at outpatient clinics. We are grateful to our partners and the New York state Office of Mental Health for making this happen.”

 

“Our city’s public schools are proud to partner with NYC Health + Hospitals, the School Mental Health Program in the Office of School Health, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on the Mental Health Continuum,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “Now, in its third year, over 50 schools in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn have received access to expedited care for students struggling with mental health challenges through NYC Health + Hospitals clinics and Children’s Mobile Crisis Teams. Schools will also receive support to engage in whole school collaborative problem-solving, an approach to reduce challenging behavior, build skills, and strengthen relationships. We look forward to continuing this partnership and to building a stronger continuum of care to improve the provision of mental health services to students and families.”

 

“It will take all of us together to tackle our youth mental health crisis, and the expansion of school-based clinics is an important step to do just that,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Reaching students where they spend so much of their time and supporting school staff will help improve access and reduce stigma. I look forward to continued work across agencies to create opportunities for the next generation to succeed.”

 

“In light of the concerning state of youth mental health in New York City, the Mental Health Continuum's collaboration is a timely and crucial step in connecting students to essential mental health supports and services,” said Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health Executive Director Eva Wong. “This initiative also recognizes the important role of teachers and school staff in supporting young people’s mental health by providing them with consultation, training, and psychoeducation. This marks a significant step in the city’s ongoing efforts to address mental health disparities and foster supportive environments to strengthen the mental health of youth and their families across the city.”

 

“This important multi-agency collaboration will expand access to mental health services to some of the New York City communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Director of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Growth and Strategy Jennifer Havens, MD. “We welcome the opportunity to reach kids and families where they are, when they need us.”

 

In addition to the 16 new school-based satellite clinics, an additional 34 schools will have access to rapid referrals for evaluation and treatment directly into NYC Health + Hospitals outpatient mental health clinics. In total, this program will serve over 20,000 students across 50 schools in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn.

 

The 16 schools that will host mental health clinics were identified through an ongoing collaborative and data-driven effort to identify schools with the highest needs across the city, particularly schools without on-site mental health services or community partnerships with mental health clinics. This model aims to meet the needs of students with significant mental health challenges in the schools and neighborhoods with the highest rates of New York City Police Department school interventions, suspensions, and chronic absenteeism.

 

NYC Health + Hospitals will open mental health satellite clinics in the following schools throughout the next year:

The Bronx

• Mott Hall III
• S. X140 The Eagle School
• Port Morris School of Community Leadership
• PS 035 Franz Siegel
• PS 063 – Author’s Academy
• PS 277X
• South Bronx Preparatory

 Brooklyn

• All City Leadership Secondary School
• Brighter Choice Community School
• Evergreen Middle School for Urban Exploration
• Kappa V: Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy
• MS K394
• Parkside Preparatory Academy
• PS 041 Francis White
• PS/IS 384 Frances E Carter
• The Brooklyn Green School

The Adams administration has taken repeated action to tackle the youth mental health crisis. Last year, Mayor Adams announced that the city launched TeenSpace, a free tele-mental health service available to all New York City teenagers, between the ages of 13 and 17 years old, that allows teenagers to connect with a licensed therapist through phone, video, and text. In the three months of operation, TeenSpace has served over 6,000 youth across the five boroughs.

 

In addition to the city's work supporting New York City youth in crisis through DOHMH and NYC Health + Hospitals programming, DOE has devoted significant resources to combatting students' addiction to social media and the many resulting harms, including by responding to cyberbullying occurring outside of class, providing counseling for anxiety and depression, and developing curricula about the effects of social media and how to stay safe online.

 

In March 2023, the Adams administration launched “Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City,” a mental health plan focused on improving the mental health of children and young people. Following the plan's release, the city convened more than 150 advocates, researchers, technologists, mental health providers, community-based organizations, and caregivers, in partnership with New York City youth, to lay out potential pathways for action to protect the mental health of children and youth. The convening provided the recommendations that built the foundation for the city’s social media action plan, announced in February 2023, that outlined New York City's commitment to protect the mental health of young New Yorkers and empower them to use these technologies in ways that are less harmful. Mayor Adams also announced a lawsuit against companies that operate five social media platforms — TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube — for fueling a nationwide mental health crisis among young people, joining hundreds of school districts from across the country in filing litigation seeking to force tech giants to change their behavior and to recover the costs of addressing this public health threat.

Housing Lottery Launches For 414 East 152nd Street In Melrose, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 414 East 152nd Street, an eight-story mixed-use building in Melrose, The Bronx. Designed by Baobab Architects and developed by Shaya Seidenfeld of MZS Realty Corp., the structure yields 44 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 25 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $106,458 to $198,250.

Residences come equipped with air conditioning, high-speed internet, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Amenities include an elevator and a shared laundry room. Tenants are responsible for electricity including stove and heat.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are eight studios with a monthly rent of $3,105 for incomes ranging from $106,458 to $146,900; 16 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,317 for incomes ranging from $113,726 to $165,230; and one two-bedroom with a monthly rent of $3,963 for incomes ranging from $135,875 to $198,250.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 7, 2024.

Doctor Sentenced for Unlawful Distribution of Oxycodone

 

A New Jersey doctor was sentenced to two years in prison and barred from practicing medicine for unlawfully distributing addictive opioids without performing necessary patient assessments.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Felicia E. Gonzalez, 65, of Toms River, prescribed oxycodone to three patients without conducting any physical examinations, developing treatment plans, or assessing the patients for drug dependence. Gonzalez previously received national bans from two large pharmacy chains related to her prescribing practices but continued to prescribe addictive opioids without performing the minimum assessments required by state safety regulations. To conceal her unlawful prescribing, Gonzalez falsified her medical records by falsely claiming to have performed examinations when she had not.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Field Division, Camden Resident Office Diversion Group; and Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Distributing Fentanyl And Heroin

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GRACE ROSA BAEZ pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl.  BAEZ pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Fentanyl and heroin are driving this nation’s deadly opioid crisis and are responsible for thousands of tragic deaths in this city and around the nation.  Rather than protect and serve the people of New York City, former NYPD officer Grace Rosa Baez peddled deadly poison for personal gain. Baez is held accountable for her selfish and reckless betrayal.” 

According to the filings and statements made in Manhattan federal court:

In 2012, BAEZ became an active member of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).  In 2020, due to alleged misconduct, BAEZ was placed on modified duty and was under departmental investigation.  On three occasions in October 2023, while on modified desk duty at a particular NYPD facility, BAEZ sold a confidential source working with law enforcement (the “CS”) packages containing over one kilogram of heroin, over 400 grams of fentanyl, and over 100 grams of fentanyl analogue.  BAEZ negotiated the price and quantity of the narcotics and arranged to deliver the narcotics to the CS while she was on duty with the NYPD.  BAEZ sold the narcotics to the CS outside of her homes in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York.  Upon her arrest, BAEZ resigned from the NYPD.

BAEZ, 38, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  BAEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cote on July 18, 2024. 

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the exceptional investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NYPD.

Attorney General James Announces Agreement with Brooklyn Catholic Diocese for Mishandling of Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

  

Diocese Required to Make Comprehensive Reforms to Improve Response to Sexual Abuse Complaints and Will Comply With Independent, Secular Oversight

Agreement is Second Reached by AG James to Address Pervasive Mishandling of Sexual Misconduct Within the Catholic Dioceses of New York

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn (the Diocese) to address its years of mismanaging clergy sexual abuse cases and for failing to uphold the policies and procedures it adopted for investigating and responding to abuse complaints. Instead, the Diocese applied inconsistent standards to evaluate the credibility of an abuse allegation, delayed investigations, and failed to adequately monitor priests who were accused of sexual abuse.

The agreement requires the Diocese to take significant action to prevent and address allegations of clergy sexual abuse and reform past policies, including:

• Installing an independent, secular monitor who will oversee the Diocese’s compliance with enhanced policies and procedures and issue an annual report on the Diocese’s handling of sexual abuse cases; 
• Strengthening existing policies and procedures for handling sexual abuse cases to include expedited review timelines and transparency throughout the process; 
• Creating new offices, committees, and positions within the Diocese devoted to ensuring the safety of minors and other vulnerable communities; and 
• Hiring a Clergy Monitor with law enforcement or counseling experience to develop and oversee abuse prevention plans for priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

“The Diocese knew about this pervasive problem, but it did not adequately address allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct,” said Attorney General James. “Now, the Diocese has made a commitment to implementing holistic reforms that will ensure every report of sexual abuse or misconduct is handled quickly and transparently. New Yorkers deserve to trust their faith leaders, and my office will continue to support the Diocese’s efforts to rebuild that trust with their community.”

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the Diocese failed to consistently comply with its own policies and procedures for responding to sexual abuse. The Diocese established these policies shortly after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter) in 2002 following media reports of widespread clergy sexual abuse. 

The OAG also found that the Diocese’s policies were not adequate to guarantee the safety and protection of children. The Diocese did not have policies in place to ensure a prompt and thorough response to allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct. In various matters, the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) took too long to respond to a complaint or would arbitrarily apply inconsistent standards of proof when evaluating the credibility of an accusation. In certain instances, when an allegation of sexual abuse or misconduct was found to be credible, the Diocese did not disclose that information to the public and failed to sufficiently monitor the accused priests or clergy.

• One priest admitted to the Diocese that he had repeatedly sexually abused minors. He was removed from all pastoral duties, but the Diocese did not inform parishioners. After USCCB adopted the Charter in 2002, the Diocese encouraged the priest to seek a voluntary laicization, or official removal from the priesthood, often referred to as “defrocking,” but he initially refused. He eventually agreed to be defrocked in 2007 but requested that it be kept confidential. The Diocese kept it secret until 2017, when it published a list of priests who had been removed from ministry and, for the first time, publicly announced that this priest had been credibly accused of and admitted to sexually abusing minors. In the decade between his defrocking and the Diocese’s public announcement, the priest worked as a professor at two universities. 
• In the 1990s, after learning of problems with a priest’s conduct, the Diocese repeatedly transferred the priest from parish to parish to avoid the complaints. The priest was never monitored, nor was he removed from duty. In 2000, a nun who was the principal of a Catholic school in the Diocese resigned from her position because she had witnessed the priest having inappropriate interactions with young boys and the Diocese did nothing more than issue a warning. In 2006, one of the priest’s alleged victims accused him of more than 100 incidents of sexual abuse in the 1980s, including masturbation and oral sex. Multiple other individuals corroborated certain facts to support the complaint, which matched additional complaints the Diocese had received from nuns and other clergy members about this priest. Still, after a three-year investigation, the DRB concluded that there was not enough evidence, applying a heightened standard of proof, to find the allegations against the priest credible. The priest was allowed to continue working unmonitored for many years. In 2016 and 2017, two more complainants came forward to accuse the priest, and in 2018, the DRB found both the new allegations and the original complaint from 2006 to be credible. The priest was removed from duty and forbidden from interacting with minors, but that was not made public until the Diocese published a list of credibly accused clergy in 2019. 

As part of the settlement, the Diocese has agreed to enhanced policies and procedures for mitigating risks and managing allegations of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct, including publicly posting an explanation of the complaint and investigation process. To facilitate the complaint process, the Diocese will also post online a confidential portal and telephone number for submitting complaints and will implement a whistleblower policy to protect complainants from retaliation by Diocesan officials. The Diocese has also committed to accelerated investigations. For example, all complaints must be acknowledged by the Diocese within five business days, and the Bishop must determine whether or not a complaint against a living member of the clergy is credible within 20 days. If the Bishop determines the claim is credible, then he must refer the complaint to the DRB for an independent investigation, which must be completed within nine months. The Diocese will also refer all complaints it receives to law enforcement and will cooperate with any investigations. The Diocese will also improve its record-keeping procedures, including by adopting protocols for electronic management, organization, and retention of records of all allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Moving forward, the Diocese has committed to publicly announce any decisions to remove priests or other clergy members from active ministry by issuing a press release and adding the offender’s name to a published list of credibly accused clergy. The Bishop will also inform the priest’s former parish and provide support to parishioners.

The Diocese has also agreed to establish new leadership positions and continue to fund existing offices dedicated to protecting minors and other vulnerable people. The Director of the Office of Protection of Children and Young Adults will assist the Bishop in coordinating the Diocese’s sexual abuse prevention and victim assistance efforts. A new Clergy Monitor, with previous law enforcement or counseling experience addressing and preventing sexual abuse, will regularly monitor credibly accused priests and other clergy, as well as develop individualized prevention plans for each. The Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Ministry offices will continue to provide services to parishioners, including a healing intervention team and a survivor’s advisory board, which will provide recommendations to the Bishop.

Finally, the Diocese’s management of sexual abuse complaints and allegations will be subject to review by an independent monitor. The monitor must have expertise in sexual abuse prevention programs or other relevant compliance programs and be approved by the OAG. The monitoring period will last for a minimum of three years, with a potential extension to five years. Each year, the monitor will issue a public report evaluating the Diocese’s compliance with the enhanced policies and procedures set forth in this agreement. This report will be made public on the Diocese’s website. 

The OAG acknowledges the Diocese’s cooperation with this investigation, negotiation, and agreement. The agreement specifically addresses the failures of the Diocese's institutional response to the crisis of clergy sexual abuse and does not affect pending claims for damages that have been asserted by individual survivors of abuse against the Diocese.