BRONX YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM HOLDS ANTI-VIOLENCE RALLY IN THE BRONX AFTER RANDOM SHOOTING

Anti-Violence Rally In The Bronx By Bronx YEP Program After Random Shooting 

By Robert Press

The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program held an anti gun/violence rally at the corner of Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street where there was a random shooting last weekend. There has also been an uptick in youth violence in the area. 

The rally included former Councilman Andy King, Pastor J. Gooding of the 47th Pct. Clergy Coalition, Marion 'Tiny' Frampton of 'The Black Spades, Victor Rodriguez, President Bronx YEP, Abigail Maldonado 47th Precinct Explorers, Frank Lewis of 'Guns Down Life Up', who spoke. There were over seventy-five concerned youth and residents who yelled we want to live, then all marched around the corner where the shooting occurred luckily with no injuries. Marchers yelled "we want to take back our corner", and during the march police from the 47th Precinct stopped all traffic. 

Former Councilman Andy King makes sure everyone is in the right place for the press conference.

Pastor J, Gooding would speak first, as Councilman King would hold up an enlarged photo of the random shooting.

YEOP President Victor Rodriguez spoke for the many members of the Bronx YEP of the rise in shootings and youth violence.

Councilman Andy King asked for help in finding the shooter in the photo.

The community Affairs officer from the 47th Precinct would say that the police had no leads on who the shooter was. 

After the speeches it was time to take the cornerback, as about seventy-five people marched around the corner three times while the police stopped traffic on Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street. 

 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 13, 2021

 

63,455 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

32 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"More New Yorkers are taking the vaccines and driving our vaccination rate up, but that's no excuse to get complacent—we need to improve our vaccination rate to defeat this pandemic for good," Governor Hochul said. "We're taking action to keep New York's children, state employees and medical workers safe, but it's the vaccination rate that's ultimately going to determine whether we end the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single eligible New Yorker needs to get vaccinated right away to keep our families, friends and communities safe."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 152,594
• Total Positive - 4,658
• Percent Positive - 3.05%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.53%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,109 (-39)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 272
• Patients in ICU - 464 (-3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 256 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 204,093 (+281)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 32
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,974

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,279

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,032,099
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 63,455
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 396,998
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 74.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 64.6%

Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Large Quantities Of Methamphetamine And Liquid Date Rape Drug

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer JOHN CICERO pled guilty today to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone (known as “GBL”) in Westchester County and New York City.  CICERO pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “A former NYPD police officer once sworn to protect the public, John Cicero now stands convicted of trafficking substantial quantities of methamphetamine and GBL, a liquid date-rape drug, throughout Westchester and New York City.  As he admitted today, over several years, Cicero was a leader of a drug trafficking ring, and he was personally responsible for moving over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL, and importing narcotics from overseas.  Thanks to the dedication of our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cicero now awaits sentencing for his dangerous conduct.”      

According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:

Beginning in at least 2017 and lasting until his arrest in February 2020, CICERO and his co-conspirators stockpiled and sold liters of GBL and kilograms of methamphetamine in apartments, hotel rooms, and storage units in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and a residence in Bronxville, New York.  CICERO repeatedly brokered large-scale narcotics transactions over recorded prison calls with an inmate then in New York State custody.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously seized GBL sent from China to CICERO’s address in New York.  As part of his guilty plea, CICERO stipulated that he was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in the criminal activity, the offense involved the importation of methamphetamine, and his offense conduct involved over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL.  The charged conduct began years after CICERO left the NYPD.

On February 19, 2020, CICERO was arrested in a Wall Street hotel, in a room he had rented under a false identity.  In addition to methamphetamine and GBL, law enforcement recovered from CICERO’s room a bank card and a fake ID, bearing CICERO’s photograph, all in the name of the false identity to whom the room was rented.  As part of CICERO’s arrest, law enforcement also recovered detailed drug ledgers, credit card making equipment, and notebooks full of victims’ personally identifiable information.

CICERO, 39, of Bronxville, New York, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on February 10, 2022.  CICERO pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine and GBL, which carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.  The maximum and mandatory minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives from the FBI, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Westchester County Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, NYPD, and U.S. Probation.  He also thanked the New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into the Death of Simran Gordon

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage from members of the Rochester Police Department that the office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Simran Gordon, who died on October 6, 2021, following an encounter with members of the Rochester Police Department. 

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released two videos from body-worn cameras that responding officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of these videos follows Attorney General James’ directive that some camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

Governor Hochul and Mayor De Blasio Announce Agreement to Transfer Incarcerated Women and Trans Individuals Out of Rikers

 

More than 200 Women and Trans-Identified Incarcerated Individuals to be Transferred from Rikers Island to State Facilities      

Latest Effort Brings Total Number of Rikers Detainees Transferred to State Custody to More than 350  

 Today, to address the ongoing situation on Rikers Island, Governor Kathy Hochul, in partnership with Mayor Bill de Blasio, announced an agreement between the State and City of New York to transfer nearly all of women- and trans-identified individuals currently incarcerated on Rikers Island to two State-run facilities in Bedford Hills, Westchester County, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (Bedford) and the Taconic Correctional Facility (Taconic), both operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). 

This agreement to temporarily transfer approximately 230 individuals into State settings builds on Governor Hochul's recent signature of the Less is More Act, which will prevent unnecessary detentions at Rikers, into law, as well as the Governor's Executive Order that expanded remote hearings for detainees and will ultimately help to reduce the amount of time detainees must spend at Rikers.    

"The situation on Rikers Island is grave and complex, and thus requires bold action from all levels of government to deliver change," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I am especially heartened that the State is able to assist some of the most vulnerable populations on Rikers, and today, I am proud to announce the State's agreement with the City to temporarily move the majority of these populations off Rikers and into safer State facilities, and I thank the City for its partnership on this important step. These actions will further help ease staffing concerns, capacity constraints, and improve safety for several hundred detainees until such time that the City can identify and implement a permanent solution that will bring justice to the situation at Rikers."       

"New York City is committed to forging a fairer, more humane justice system," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I'm proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative, which will provide important relief for the situation on Rikers. Our reform efforts on Rikers Island have made encouraging progress, and our borough-based jails plans are moving forward and will fully transform this system - but there is no substitute for immediate support from our State partners at this critical moment in time."

According to the plan, which is authorized under Section 504 of New York State Correction Law, the New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) will begin to transfer incarcerated individuals to the two facilities starting the week of October 18. The transfers will occur twice per week, starting with 10 to 20 individuals being transferred during each transfer. No current detainees with any pending immigration-related matters will be transferred.     

All the transferees will receive the same services provided to all individuals currently incarcerated at Bedford and Taconic, and the transferees will be integrated into the existing populations at both facilities, with the exception of those who are currently housed in the Special Consideration Unit (SCU) at Rikers; DOCCS will mimic the housing and services conditions at the two facilities for this population.  

Bedford offers academic education, vocational training, transitional services, volunteer services, alcohol and substance use services, including Medicaid Assisted Treatment (MAT), college programming, aggression replacement training, Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health and Recovery (TAMAR) services, gender-informed cognitive behavior programming, and a nursery. The facility has a regional medical unit, and DOCCS and the State Office of Mental Health jointly operate two Residential Mental Health Treatment Units, a therapeutic behavior unit, and an immediate care unit. Taconic offers similar programming opportunities, as well. In addition, any individuals currently receiving hormone replacement therapy at Rikers will continue to receive this treatment at the Westchester facilities. 

Upon arrival at either facility, each detainee will undergo various assessments, including for medical and mental health, as well as academic, vocational, and substance use-related needs. Once each individual's needs are identified, they will see the facility's Program Committee for a program or work assignment. The Committee is comprised of the Chair, who is usually a Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator, other program staff, as well as a representative from each facility's security services.  

DOC will provide daily transportation from New York City to the facilities for family members and loved ones of detainees, beginning Friday, October 22. There will be one pick-up location in The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn each. Buses will pick up visitors from each location twice a day. DOC will announce additional details on its website regarding exact locations and times in the coming week. 

Given the temporary nature of this transfer, Governor Hochul has tasked DOCCS Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci to advise the City on approaches to longer-term solutions. The Commissioner and his team will also liaise with advocates as part of this process, and will continue to support the work of the entire advocacy community in identifying pre-detention alternatives to incarceration. 

Last month, Governor Hochul signed legislation S.1144A/A.5576A, also known as the Less is More Act, into law. This legislation modified the standard of evidence and capped the amount of time an individual can be re-incarcerated, among other procedures to determine whether to revoke the community supervision of a person on parole. The Less is More Act aims to ensure the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision focuses its resources on helping people successfully complete community supervision and avoiding future return to DOCCS custody or supervision. To date, 239 individuals have been released from Rikers as a result of this legislation.    

Governor Hochul previously announced an agreement with the NYS DOCCS and the city to allow for incarcerated individuals who have been sentenced to at least ninety days to be transferred from Rikers Island to New York State facilities. A total of 143 male incarcerated individuals have been transferred from Rikers to New York State facilities.   

The City has taken numerous actions to address the situation on Rikers. The City opened a new intake operation, including two clinics, and has sped up the intake process to ensure swift and proper housing. The City has also expedited the installation of new cell doors to improve safety, brought in extra cleaning services to improve conditions, and expanded programming for people in custody to help engagement and reduce violence. The City has also increased accountability for staff who don't show up for work, created greater oversight over the sick call-in process, and incentivized staff who are working hard through bonus payments and on-Island supports.

U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against 11 Members Of Money Laundering And Bank Fraud Ring

 

Over 50 Victims Sent More Than $9 Million to Defendants as a Result of Online Fraud Schemes

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Patrick J. Freaney, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Secret Service (“Secret Service”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging 11 defendants with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with their involvement in laundering millions of dollars in proceeds derived from business email compromises and romance fraud schemes.  Nine defendants were arrested today in the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of New York, and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York.  One defendant was arrested in the Southern District of Texas, and will be presented today in that district’s federal court.  One defendant remains at large.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants were part of a criminal enterprise that not only defrauded businesses by assuming the online identities of legitimate counterparties, but also preyed on vulnerable elderly people, deceiving victims into sending money in phony romance scams.  Thanks to the Secret Service, the defendants are now facing federal felony charges.”

Secret Service Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Freaney said: “As the continued threat posed by cyber enabled fraud remains ever present, the U.S. Secret Service remains steadfast in its pursuit of those who threaten our collective financial security. This case is no exception, as the defendants allegedly utilized a myriad of fraud schemes, to include romance scams and business email compromises, to defraud over 50 victims in excess of $9 million. Due to the efforts of the Secret Service and our partners at the New York City Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, this organized group will no longer be able to operate its alleged scheme to defraud and will answer the charges brought against them in the Southern District of New York.” 

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:

ADEDAYO JOHN, OLUWADAMILOLA AKINPELU, KAZEEM RAHEEM, MORAKINYO GBEYIDE, WARRIS ADENUGA, a/k/a “Blue,” SMART AGUNBIADE, LATEEF GOLOBA, SAMSONDEEN GOLOBA, OLAWALE OLANIYAN, OLAWOYIN PETER OLAREWAJU, and EMMANUEL ORONSAYE-AJAYI (collectively, the “Defendants”) participated in one or both of a money laundering conspiracy and bank fraud conspiracy, which received funds stolen from victims.

Victims were typically defrauded in one of two ways.  In some instances, business email compromise fraud schemes were used to trick businesses into transferring funds to bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients of the funds as part of normal business operations, when in fact the bank accounts were under the control of the Defendants or their co-conspirators.  In other instances, romance scams were used, primarily through electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, social media, or online dating websites, to deceive victims – many of whom were vulnerable older men and women – into believing they were in romantic relationships with fake identities, and then using false pretenses to cause the victims to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the Defendants or their co-conspirators.

As a result of these frauds, law enforcement officers have identified more than 50 victims who have transferred more than $9 million to bank accounts under the control of the Defendants.

Ten defendants – ADEDAYO JOHN, 32, OLUWADAMILOLA AKINPELU, 26, KAZEEM RAHEEM, 29, MORAKINYO GBEYIDE, 39, WARRIS ADENUGA, a/k/a “Blue,” 26, LATEEF GOLOBA, 27, SAMSONDEEN GOLOBA, 29, OLAWALE OLANIYAN, 41, OLAWOYIN PETER OLAREWAJU, 34, and EMMANUEL ORONSAYE-AJAYI, 30 – are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  Nine defendants – ADEDAYO JOHN, 32, SMART AGUNBIADE, 28, OLUWADAMILOLA AKINPELU, 26, MORAKINYO GBEYIDE, 39, WARRIS ADENUGA, a/k/a “Blue,” 26, LATEEF GOLOBA, 27, SAMSONDEEN GOLOBA, 29, OLAWOYIN PETER OLAREWAJU, 34, and EMMANUEL ORONSAYE-AJAYI, 30 – are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  One defendant – MORAKINYO GBEYIDE, 39 – is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison.  The maximum potential penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Secret Service.  

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Iranian Large-Scale Heroin Trafficker

Malek Mohammad Balouchzehi Is Charged with Conspiring to Sell Multi-Hundred Kilogram Quantities of Heroin for Distribution in New York City

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the arrest of MALEK MOHAMMAD BALOUCHZEHI, a/k/a “Malek Khan,” for conspiring to import heroin into the United States and distributing heroin for importation into the United States.  BALOUCHZEHI, a citizen of Iran, was taken into custody by Kenyan authorities expelled to the United States from Kenya on October 9, 2021.  BALOUCHZEHI was presented before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn earlier today. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “From thousands of miles away, Malek Balouchzehi allegedly arranged the importation of massive quantities of heroin into the United States with seemingly little regard for the devastation that highly addictive opiates cause after landing at our shores.  Balouchzehi’s expulsion to the United States is a direct result of this Office’s successful ongoing partnership with the D.E.A., and we commend the outstanding work of the agents both here and abroad who made today’s charges possible.”

D.E.A. Administrator Anne Milgram said:  “This investigation demonstrates our collective resolve to pursue criminals who traffic in these dangerous, addictive substances. For decades, DEA’s partnerships with our law enforcement partners around the world have been the key to bringing to justice those threatening our communities. DEA will continue to bring all that we have to bear to combat and defeat the criminal drug traffickers putting Americans’ safety and health at risk.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint charging the defendant,[1] which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

BALOUCHZEHI is an Iran-based drug trafficker who distributes methamphetamine and manufactures and distributes heroin.  In or about September 2019, BALOUCHZEHI and his associate began communicating and meeting with individuals whom BALOUCHZEHI believed were heroin traffickers interested in large quantities of heroin for importation into the United States, as well as methamphetamine for distribution in Australia.  Those individuals were, in fact, a confidential source working at the DEA’s direction, and an undercover DEA agent posing as a New York-based heroin distributor.  In December 2019, BALOUCHZEHI caused a sample of approximately two kilograms of heroin to be delivered in Mozambique, with the understanding that those drugs would be transported to the United States for testing and sale.  Following this sample shipment, BALOUCHZEHI planned to supply larger quantities of heroin for importation to and distribution within the United States, and in December 2019, BALOUCHZEHI discussed providing as many as 400 kilograms of heroin for importation to the United States in the next transaction. 

BALOUCHZEHI, 38, a citizen of Iran, is charged with one count of conspiring to import heroin into the United States and one count of distributing heroin intending that the narcotics would be imported into the United States.  Both counts carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit and New York Field Division; the DEA’s Nairobi, Maputo, Pretoria, Bucharest, and Jakarta Country Offices; the Kenyan National Police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations; the Mozambique National Criminal Investigation Services; and the Western Australia Police Force.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for its assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

NEW STUDY FROM NYC ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES SHOWS HOW “PARENT ADVOCACY INITIATIVE” HAS IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

 

When Parent Advocates with Lived Experience in the Child Welfare System Supported Parents in Child Safety Conferences, ACS Saw Improvements in Well-being Outcomes for Children

 Today, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) announced key findings from a new study that suggests that the Parent Advocacy Initiative in initial child safety conferences is helping to improve outcomes for children and families. Utilizing this research, ACS has released a concept paper to seek feedback in preparation for the upcoming Parent Advocate Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate Parent Advocacy programs. The concept paper lays out a vision to build on the current model and scale enhancements that were found to improve outcomes, including expanded Parent Advocate involvement and support, family-driven service plans, and strengthened linkages between Parent Advocates in different ACS program areas.

 

The Parent Advocacy Initiative is a peer support program in which parents with prior experience in the child welfare system offer advocacy and support to parents currently involved in the child welfare system. In New York City, Parent Advocates participate in Initial Child Safety Conferences, meetings in which family members and child protective specialists (CPS) at ACS discuss safety concerns in the home and identify the best safety plan for the child. The recently published study revealed that, with the Parent Advocacy Initiative in place, ACS saw a significant increase in the conference attendance by parents in comparison with the past; a reduction in child removals; and an increased use of kinship care for children who had to be removed due to safety concerns. 

 

“We are excited by the results of this new study, which reinforce our belief that having Parent Advocates providing support to parents as we work to assure child safety can be of significant benefit to children and families. Parent Advocates have walked in the shoes of those currently involved in the child welfare system, and their lived experience can help empower and better engage parents during one of the most challenging times of their lives. We will continue to elevate the voices of parents and incorporate Parent Advocates into all parts of our agency, because we are confident that it will result in better outcomes for children and families in New York City,” said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell.

 

“Parent Advocates possess a unique ability to understand the perspectives of parents and offer supports, promote family engagement in case decision-making, and encourage participation in services. Parent advocacy and support programs have been gaining attention in child welfare, and the growing body of empirical evidence on such programs have demonstrated that the inclusion of a Parent Advocate enhances the family-centered practice and has the potential to improve outcomes for children and families while giving voice to parents and communities most impacted by the system,” said Dr. Marina Lalayants of the Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, The City University of New York.

 

“Parent Advocates are not only trained in child welfare policy, but they have previous experience navigating the child welfare system, and so the support and expertise they offer to the families we work with is invaluable. As this study suggests, the Parent Advocacy Initiative is having a positive impact on children and families and truly represents a culture shift within the New York City child welfare system. I look forward to its continued success,” said Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist at ACS.

 

The Parent Advocacy Initiative in Initial Child Safety Conferences is a type of peer/parent support program that became operational in New York City in December 2013. ACS works with non-profit organizations to recruit, train and employ these parent advocates across all boroughs.

 

Parent Advocates offer services such as support to parents in preparation for and during the child safety conference by helping them to be informed about their rights and responsibilities within the child welfare system, gain awareness of the child welfare concerns and understand and navigate the child welfare system. This initiative builds upon the work happening at ACS to address racial disproportionality across the child welfare system. ACS has prioritized initiatives that help strengthen parents’ voice and success and is currently implementing its Equity Action Plan, which is designed to address racial disparities across the child welfare system.

 

A recently published study in the Children and Youth Services Review titled, “Outcomes of the Parent Advocacy Initiative in Child Safety Conferences: Placement and Repeat Maltreatment,” examined the impact of the child safety conferences on case outcomes of families served by parent advocates. Specifically, the study researched cases receiving Parent Advocate intervention over a period of the 2016 calendar year and compared it to pre-intervention cases from the 2013 calendar year and cases from the 2016 calendar year that did not receive the parent advocate intervention. The study results revealed a significant increase in the conference attendance by parents in comparison with the past. Furthermore, the results of the study revealed that the Parent Advocacy Initiative contributed to the reduction of child removals, as a result, more children remained at home with parents. For children who had to be removed due to safety concerns, the study results also showed an increased use of kinship care, or children being placed with relatives and close friends as opposed to non-relative foster parents. Finally, the rates of indicated repeat maltreatment remained unchanged, suggesting that the initiative did not result in compromised child safety.

 

The Parent Advocate Initiative at Initial Child Safety Conferences builds on the agency’s continued work to incorporate Parent Advocates into decision making processes across the child welfare system. Last year, ACS announced the “Parents Supporting Parents” initiative which provides Parent Advocates to support, inform and mentor parents with children currently in foster care. ACS aims to scale this approach across the foster care system so that every parent with a goal of reunifying with their child has an assigned parent advocate, in order to increase safe and timely reunification of families with children in foster care. ACS will continue to identify new ways to incorporate Parent Advocates across all of its programs.

 

To read the study, please click here.

 

To read the concept paper, click here. Comments are due by December 3 at 5pm and can be submitted to ParentAdvocateOOA-CP@acs.nyc.gov.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

As is the case with the NYC Administration For Children's Services, we believe that right after the Riker's Island issue is closed, ACS should be next to be investigated by federal authorities.