NEW YORK CITY RECOGNIZED AS INNOVATIVE GLOBAL LEADER ON MENTAL HEALTH REFORM

 International CIty and urban Regional CoLlaborativE (I-CIRCLE) calls on cities around the world to advance the mental health of their residents by adopting efforts similar to ThriveNYC

  New York City’s unprecedented efforts to change the culture around mental health and improve New Yorkers’ access to services and support have been recognized as an innovative model for cities across the globe by the International CIty and urban Regional CoLlaborativE (I-CIRCLE). ThriveNYC was launched in November 2015 by New York City’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray to change the way City government and its many partners address community mental health needs, and help dismantle the stigma associated with seeking treatment. With 54 initiatives backed by an $850 million investment over the first four years, ThriveNYC is the most comprehensive mental health plan of any city or state in the nation. I-CIRCLE announced today that it has endorsed and will promote the six key guiding principles and framework of ThriveNYC.

“With the launch of ThriveNYC two years ago, we set out to change the culture around mental health and deliver services where people live, learn, work and worship,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, who spearheads ThriveNYC. “Mental illness and substance misuse are common -- one in five people suffer from some kind of challenge, but do not get the help they need because of stigma or because they have difficulty finding appropriate services. Although we have received a great deal of positive feedback for ThriveNYC’s public health approach, our work has just begun. We are committed to building a culturally competent mental health system that meets the needs of all New Yorkers. We are honored to be recognized by I-CIRCLE as a model for other cities. And, we stand ready and willing to share all we have learned with our sister and brother cities around the world.”

“Many of us recognize the need to use new approaches to build effective Mental Health systems in cities and urban regions. ThriveNYC is using the best population and public health concepts as key principles. We believe that linking I-CIRCLE with ThriveNYC will result in a global collaboration of cities to work and share these new ideas,” said Fran Silvestri, President and CEO of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership.

"ThriveNYC launched as a local solution to a mental health crisis facing cities across the globe. Two years in, we are finally starting to see change take hold in New York City, with more New Yorkers getting help than ever before -- at senior centers, hospitals, community-based organizations and beyond. I am grateful that these 54 initiatives may bring hope to people suffering in other parts of the country and the world. We owe this success to the visionary leadership of Chirlane McCray, who has helped bring mental health out of the shadows and make care available to all,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives.

The stigma of mental health has afflicted our nation for far too long. Americans with depression, anxiety or any other mental health issues should freely ask for help and openly discuss their struggles. ThriveNYC is a groundbreaking roadmap to change the culture surrounding on mental illness. The New York City Council is proud to support ThriveNYC’s goals and needs through the Council’s Mental Health Initiatives, a $13 million investment in programming and services to New Yorkers experiencing mental health issues. Because of ThriveNYC’s success, I-CIRCLE had taken note and will urge other municipalities to follow suit. I thank First Lady Chirlane McCray for championing the mental health conversation and Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration for the devotion to this critical cause,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

I-CIRCLE made the announcement today during the second annual Cities Thrive Conference. First Lady McCray spearheads the Cities Thrive Coalition that brings together some of the nation’s best advocates to develop innovative programs, creates an ongoing conversation and pushes federal partners to make mental health and substance misuse a top priority. Since the coalition’s launch last November, nearly 200 cities from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have joined to share best practices and advocate for a better funded, more integrated behavioral health system – working through the key ThriveNYC principles. Several cities and urban regions have been inspired to adopt this broader view of mental health reform at the local level, including London, England’s recent launch of “Thrive London” in July 2017.

“Under Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray, New York City has seen an unprecedented investment in mental health and substance use services,” said Dr. Mary T. Bassett, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “I encourage my fellow health commissioners in cities across the world to consider how they can reduce stigma, increase access to care, and support the mental health of their constituency.”

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Is Recognized as a “Champion” of HPV Vaccine/Cancer Prevention

Achieves 70% Vaccination Completion Rate of Patients

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and its Children’s Health Center as an “HPV Vaccine Is Cancer Prevention Champion.”  The recognition is one of just ten given out nationwide to health centers and facilities that have succeeded in vaccinating a large portion of their 13-to-15-year-old patient population.  While the nationwide vaccination rate among all teens is 43 percent, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi has been able to vaccinate 70 percent of its 13-to-15-year-old population.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine is for protection from most of the cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus that spreads through sexual contact. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. HPV infection can cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. HPV can also cause anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital warts in both men and women.

To control the spread of HPV in the Bronx, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi physicians and nurses, led by Dr. Kathleen Porder, embarked, in 2013, on a five-year effort to increase vaccination rates in the target age group. Because the vaccination involves a series of shots and patients relocate over time, the vaccination effort is more complicated, often requiring documentation checks, including outreach for records in other states. The records of foreign-born patients often require translation.

“Our success has not been an overnight achievement,” explained Dr. Porder.  “It required an ‘all hands on deck’ approach and thousands of hours of detail-focused work.  Our staff, particularly our nursing staff, really went above and beyond to make our vaccination rate a national model.”

Significant effort also went into dispelling the common myth among patients’ parents and guardians that vaccination promotes or leads to sexual activity. “This myth is responsible for countless cases of avoidable cancers,” said Dr. Porder. “The goal must be to complete the series of vaccinations before sexual activity begins to provide a lifetime of protection. Children who are not vaccinated run the risk of contracting the virus, at which point vaccination is too late.”

Those interested in setting up an appointment for their child to be seen in the Children’s Health Center at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi should call 718-918-5000.  

Assemblyman Sepulveda Announces Bills to Allow DACA Recipients to Keep Driver’s Licenses; Make Them Eligible for NYS Scholarship Program

  Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda announced today legislation to prohibit the State Department of Motor Vehicles from cancelling, suspending, or rescinding driver’s licenses issued to youth enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program ending in early March of 2018.

 "It seems we have policies and laws coming out of Washington that seem to want to blame immigrants for every thing that's wrong with this country, rather than embrace immigrants that have built this country, especially this city where we stand,” said Sepulveda, who was joined by fellow electeds and members of the United Federation of Teachers and the Hispanic Federation at City Hall.

  “The current permission to obtain a driver’s license must be kept in place when the federal government ends the program in early March of 2018,” he declared. "It's time for New York State to walk the talk on protecting DACA recipients when the program ends."

 Sepulveda, a member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture, noted that many upstate Dreamers are involved with their families in agricultural work, involving the use of farm equipment.

 Sarah Rogerson, Albany Law School professor and director of the Immigration Law Clinic, said that "This would be a small step toward remediating the looming legal hurdles New York's Dreamers will face when their status expires. It is well within the state's authority to allow DACA recipients to maintain their identity as New Yorkers."

 The Assemblyman noted that “Twelve states including the District of Columbia have granted undocumented  immigrants  driver’s licenses since 2010, but New York is not one of them.

 “DACA enrollees have been granted driver’s licenses without incident and have allowed this group of youth to drive to work, school, and care for their families.  Their ability to drive legally must not be impaired, and this legislation ensures that.”

 Since its start in 2012, over 41,000 New Yorkers have been granted DACA status and over 53,000 have had their special status renewed by the federal government. All are eligible for a New York State driver’s license even though not all have applied for one.

 “This is a simple, practical and common sense policy that will ensure current DACA enrollees can continue their driving privileges. This at a time when their lives are in turmoil due to President Trump’s decision to end the program, and the inability of Congress to agree on comprehensive immigration reform,” Sepulveda said.

 “Whether through executive action by the Governor or through this legislation, we have the power to address this situation - and must do so immediately,” he added.

 “Supporting DACA enrollees is of paramount importance to business groups, religious leaders and civic groups in this precarious time for them and their families.  This legislation is of our highest priority and action by our leaders will be demanded on this measure.”

 The Bronx Assemblyman also announced legislation that would let Dreamers apply for the Excelsior Scholarship Program without first needing to apply and qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) or the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP), which bar undocumented individuals.

 “Those requirements are now the biggest hurdle Dreamers have had to face in obtaining college financial aid in New York State,” he said.

 Joining Sepulveda in support at the press conference were fellow Bronx Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Washington Heights Assemblywoman Carmen de la Rosa and City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca of Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

 "I am proud to be a part of and support this legislation. It's just common sense," said Assemblyman Pichardo. "We need to be sure we protect our Dreamers from irresponsible government, from irresponsible leadership." 

 "What makes New York State great is that we have the ability to pass progressive legislation that is going to combat what is happening in Washington," said Assemblywoman De La Rosa. "The state has the right to pass laws that will protect our undocumented brothers and sisters."

NYC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS AND HEARINGS (OATH) COMMISSIONER DEL VALLE TO HOST DECEMBER 6TH ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH BRONX RESIDENTS AT BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 7

 Bronx Community Board 7 Chair Adaline Walker Santiago will partner with Fidel F. Del Valle, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge of the City’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to put on an educational event to address questions from Bronx residents and small business owners regarding NYC rules, regulations and laws; summonses for allegedly breaking NYC rules; and how to respond to summonses from City law and regulatory enforcement agencies at OATH hearings.  The goal of the event is to bring information about summonses and the hearing process directly to citizens of the Bronx.  View the event flyer for more details about the event.

WHO:

The event will be hosted by Bronx Community Board 7 Chair Adaline Walker Santiago and Fidel F. Del Valle, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge, NYC Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH).

WHAT:

Kick-off event for the newest community outreach initiative, the Commissioner’s Community Roundtable.  This inaugural event will be informal, with Q&A from the audience members making up the majority of the event.

WHERE:

Bronx Community Board 7

229A East 204^th Street

Bronx, NY 10458

WHEN:

December 6, 2017

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The Bronx Democratic Party's Annual Holiday Party

BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites You to the Annual Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Nominations Requested for 2018 Bronx Business Awards Gala Celebration

  Nominations Requested for 2018

Bronx Business Awards

  

Members and Friends of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce are requested to nominate companies or organizations to receive Special Recognition and Distinguished Awards at the 2018 Bronx Business Awards Gala Celebration. Members are eligible to nominate themselves for applicable categories. Following are 6 award categories that will presented.

• Developer of the Year
• MWBE Company of the Year
• Non-Profit Organization of the Year
• Health Provider of the Year
• Institutional Member of the Year
• Made in The Bronx Award of the Year

In addition, nominations are also requested for the Celebrity Guest and Master of Ceremonies.

To process your nominations, please forward name, contact information and biography up to 150 words for each nominee before January 15, 2018 to Nunzio Del Greco, President and CEO via email: Nunzio@BronxChamber.org. 

The distinguished awards will be presented at the 2018 Bronx Business Awards Gala Celebration scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the elegant Marina del Rey Caterers, 1 Marina Drive, Bronx New York 10465.

Response and participation for the re-branded Gala and awards in 2017 was amazing. Multiple nominations were received for each award category. The committee had a difficult task. However, following are the distinguished award recipients recognized at the 2017 Bronx Business Awards Gala Celebration:

Developer of the Year............................... Red Apple Group, Inc.

MWBE Company of the Year..................... Ensign Engineering, P.C.

Non-Profit of the Year.............................. The Woodlawn Cemetery

Health Provider of the Year...................... Montefiore Medical Center

Institutional Member of the Year............... Ridgewood Savings Bank

Made in the Bronx Award of the Year........ Metro Optics Eyewear

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is one of the most influential, professional and successful organizations and voice for over 30,000 businesses in Bronx County. Professionals and companies are drawn to the successful companies and active members affiliated with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Membership includes businesses ranging from large corporations, Cultural Institutions, Universities and Colleges, Hospitals and Medical Centers, non-profits, and mid-sized to small companies.

Helping you grow your Bronx Business is our Goal!

    

Nunzio Del Greco
President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network for Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
Nunzio@bronxchamber.org

"You never know where your next big deal is going to come from"!

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE UNITED STATES SENATE'S TAX PLAN VOTE

  “Republicans, voting on a bill they didn't even have time to read, once again proved they care more about millionaires and campaign donors than working families. They voted for a tax increase for 87 million households. They voted for a $25 billion cut to Medicaid. They voted to kick 13 million people off their health insurance. They voted to give wealthy companies a tax break at the expense of cities’ police officers, firefighters and teachers.

“Thankfully, the fight isn’t over. We can win this, but only if we all get involved. We must make the voices of hard working Americans from around the country heard in Washington, D.C. It's time to remind our legislators that they work for us, not their campaign donors.”