NEW YORK STATE ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE APPLICATION FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE TO HELP SAVE LIVES

 

 Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Offenses, Stalking, and Human Trafficking Can Now Apply Here

The Application Facilitates a Swift and Secure Enrollment to Get an Undisclosed Address to Individuals in Need of a Safe Domicile 

Marks One Year Anniversary of Legislation Allowing Victims of Stalking, Sexual Offenses and Human Trafficking to Participate in Program

The New York State Department of State today announced a new online application for the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) in which victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual offenses and human trafficking can protect themselves from their perpetrators by getting a new undisclosed address. This online application will facilitate a swift and secure enrollment into the program for individuals who previously could only apply for the program via mail or fax.

The ACP is available to assist individuals who are trying to rebuild their lives after experiencing a violent situation that put them in harm’s way. ACP is a free state program that allows victims to keep their physical address hidden from their perpetrators by using a substitute mailing address provided by the Department of State in lieu of their actual home, school or work address. The program currently serves approximately 3,200 people.  

“In New York, we help protect our most vulnerable from violent situations that can endanger them and their families,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado who oversees this program. “The online application for the Address Confidentiality Program will make it faster and easier for thousands of New Yorkers in threatening situations to get protection from their perpetrators and help save lives.”

OTDA Commissioner Mike Hein said, “Survivors of human trafficking should never have to live with the fear that their perpetrator may one day identify where they reside. The Address Confidentiality Program gives victims added confidence that they won’t put themselves at risk when providing their mailing address. This added layer of security will help more survivors step out of the shadow of fear cast by their traffickers and onto the path toward lasting stability.”

New York State Office for Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said, “New York State’s Address Confidentiality Program is an important tool for crime victims who are seeking a sense of safety and peace. I want to thank the Department of State for streamlining the application process and making this tool more accessible to victims, and the advocates helping them, as they work to secure safe housing. It is especially critical that we eliminate the requirement that these forms be printed and mailed or faxed, so applications for this program can be processed electronically during the global COVID-19 pandemic. “

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “New York State’s Address Confidentiality Program is key to enabling survivors to break free from abusers, many of whom become most dangerous when survivors leave. The addition of online enrollment streamlines the process and assists survivors working to stay safe and rebuild their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges for survivors seeking services, and this welcomed change removes a hurdle to access and helps domestic violence services in New York State become even more survivor-centered.”

NYS Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, “We are proud to partner with our sister agencies to support protecting vulnerable victims from abuse. Remaining in an abusive relationship or being subjected or exposed to abuse can have far-reaching effects for both the victim and any involved children. The ACP provides an additional assurance that those involved will be safe.”

The ACP helps victims by:

• Using an ACP substitute address. Once certified, the ACP participant, will receive an ID card containing his/her name, unique ID number and the substitute address, which is a Post Office box in Albany, New York. The card will also indicate the expiration date for the program participant and includes ACP contact information.
• Accepting service of process. Participants in the ACP have designated the Secretary of State to accept any legal notices on their behalf. The Secretary of State’s office will not reveal any identifying information to the process server. The program will only verify whether the person being served is an ACP participant. A copy of any process will be mailed to the participant via certified mail.
• Handling their mail. Any first class, registered, or certified mail sent to the substitute address will be re-packaged and forwarded to the participant’s actual mailing address. This is done daily, Monday through Friday (except holidays). Participants should expect a five to seven-day delay in receiving their mail. ACP will not forward packages, periodicals and catalogs, unless clearly identified as pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs) or they were sent by a government agency.

According to the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), in 2018 there were 341,909 phone calls in its domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines. Moreover, the National Conference on Domestic Violence indicates that, on a regular day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. The numbers also show that in New York State in 2019, about 65 women died in the hands of an intimate partner.

New York State's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline can be reached by phone: 1-800-942-6906, text: 844-997-2121 or chat: @opdv.ny.gov. For a list of domestic violence hotlines by county, visit the New York State Domestic Violence Directory. The Office of Victim Services also funds a network of more than 200 community-based programs that support victims of crime and their families.  

The New York State Response to Human Trafficking Program, which provides case management services and is funded by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, has confirmed more than 250 cases of human trafficking in New York through October. Victims in confirmed human trafficking cases can now participate in ACP. 

Applications for ACP will still be accepted via mail and fax and through Application Assistance Providers located throughout the state. For more information and assistance with the application process, please visit the ACP webpage at www.dos.ny.gov/acp or call toll free at (855) 350-4595.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Tool to Help New Yorkers Access Critical Benefits Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Public-Private Partnership with Google.org Streamlines Process for Identifying Potential Benefits for New Yorkers Unfamiliar with Social Programs

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new web application that will help struggling New Yorkers locate benefits to assist them during their time of need. Developed through a public-private partnership with Google.org, the user-friendly social services discovery application will help individuals who are either new to or unfamiliar with the state's social programs network. 

"COVID-19 has caused unprecedented demand for social services in New York, including families and individuals who have never relied on social programs before," Governor Cuomo said. "This new web application, the result of a public-private partnership, will provide New Yorkers with a user-friendly, stigma-free resource to get the assistance and relief they need." 

The "Find Services" web application provides an easy-to-use starting point for first-time users of social programs. The web application prompts each user with a series of simple questions aimed at narrowing the field of possible services to those that are best designed to serve their needs. After answering the questions, the user is provided with a ranked list of potential services along with a description to help residents judge if the service is right for them and provide them with more information about how to apply. 

The web application was developed at no cost to taxpayers during a six-month collaboration between the state Office of Information Technology Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which oversees many of New York's social services programs, and a team of 10 full-time pro bono Google.org fellows supporting the Governor's COVID-19 Tech SWAT Team initiative. This unique public-private partnership has enlisted the assistance of leading technology companies and has assisted roughly four million New Yorkers since its inception. The web application's code has been open sourced to allow other government entities the opportunity to build on this project to meet the needs of their residents.

During a three-week pilot of the application, more than 100,000 New Yorkers accessed the web application. The State will use analytics data to understand where residents need help getting connected with vital government services and refine the application over time to best serve the needs of New Yorkers.  

ITS Interim Chief Information Officer and Director Jeremy Goldberg said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State has moved with urgency and resilience to tackle the coronavirus head-on. We have received unprecedented support from civic-minded technologists across the state to support our response efforts. We welcomed that support and worked hand-in-glove with this team to assist those who needed it most." 

New York's social services programs have seen increased caseloads since the start of the global pandemic.  More low-income New Yorkers are availing themselves of critical benefits, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and temporary cash assistance.

OTDA Commissioner Mike Hein said, "Now more than ever, it is critical for eligible New Yorkers to have easy access to programs designed to help them and their families in their time of need. This new web application expands our ongoing efforts to provide a stigma-free platform for individuals and families to explore and familiarize themselves with social programs that can make an enormous difference in their lives." 

President of Google.org Jacquelline Fuller said, "Seeking social services can be difficult, especially if you don't know where to start. The Google.org Fellows wanted to make it easy for New York residents to find and access essential programs, especially in times of crisis. In under six months and 10,000 pro bono work hours donated, the team was able to build a web application from the ground up by combining the technical expertise of Googlers with the unwavering leadership of New York State. Google has called New York home for the last 20 years and we're proud to stand alongside Governor Cuomo and the members of the Tech SWAT Team to help ensure the health and safety of our community." 

In March, Governor Cuomo directed ITS to solicit volunteers from the technology community to help develop competent technological solutions to meet the unprecedented challenges posed by the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak, to help facilitate New York State's coordinated, decisive, and rapidly evolving response. ITS worked with the Governor's Office and the state Department of Financial Services to establish a team of highly trained civic-minded professionals in the technology field to assist the state's response over 90-day periods.

The New York State COVID-19 Tech 'SWAT' Team  has since assisted state agencies with operations, analytics, communications, and other critical needs during the ongoing response. The team completed 21 large projects managed and led entirely by internal government teams at ITS, the New York State Digital Service Team, and state Office of General Services. An additional 19 projects were completed pro bono, involving a combined 25,000 hours of volunteer hours and saving taxpayers roughly $14 million.

FOLLOWING AGREEMENT WITH UNITED SANITATIONMEN’S ASSOCIATION, CITY REACHES $722 MILLION IN LABOR SAVINGS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City has reached $722 million in labor savings in fiscal year 2021, following an agreement with Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, that saves approximately $27 million in fiscal year 2021 and is consistent with deals with the United Federation of Teachers, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, District Council 37 and the Communication Workers of America Local 1180. The City still needs a minimum of $5 billion in federal or state relief in order to avoid drastic action such as layoffs for fiscal year 2022.     

“As chances for a robust federal stimulus rise with the incoming Biden administration, New York City has still gotten to work making tough choices to balance the budget,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I thank Harry Nespoli for coming to the table to find savings and avoid layoffs, and his members for always keeping our city clean and safe.”

 

The agreement with Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association includes:  

   

Deferred payment: Payment of retroactive pay, which had been scheduled for October 2020, is deferred to Fiscal Year 2022. There is also an agreement to defer four months of retiree welfare fund contributions until November 2021 and the deferral of a lump sum payment to the annuity fund until December 2021.

 

Commitment on layoffs: No layoffs through June 30, 2021. If the City receives State and Federal assistance of $5 billion or more, the no-layoff pledge is extended to June 30, 2022.  

 

Assemblymember Pichardo & Tenants of Bailey Houses call out NYCHA and Dormitory Authority due to lack of roof repair and unlivable conditions

 

Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo (D-Bronx) will be joined by the tenants of NYCHA Bailey Houses and Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) as they call on the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to repair the leaking roof at Bailey Houses. 

Despite Assemblyman Pichardo’s allocation of 3 million in state funding in late November of 2018, NYCHA has recently projected that no repairs can be made to the roof of Bailey Houses. Tenants are growing frustrated as a result of the worsening conditions and are demanding that they be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. 

Bronx COVID-19 Testing Sites 11/116 - 11/22, 2020

 

Thank you Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke

Click on it to make it larger.

Claremont Village Book Bag, School Supply, Food, Giveaway

 

It was an afternoon event where over one-hundred people from the community came for a free book bag with school supplies, and other items that any family would need. Female District Leader Latina Jones of the 79th Assembly District had complete control of the event. 

People from the area lined up, were given a cloth shopping bag as they signed in, which they then put hand sanitizer, food, a book bag and more into. On hand were two local City Council members, Vanessa Gibson and Rafael Salamanca, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea with police officers from the Housing PSA 7 and 42nd Precinct, The Male District Leader from the neighboring 77th Assembly District, and a couple of candidates for the City Council next year. 

Above - Female District Leader Latina Jones holding up one of the many book bags filled with school supplies that were given out. 

Below - The large area set up to give out items and information.

Above - A mother and her children stop by the table promoting Plant based foods over animal based foods.

Below - District Leader Latina Jones with Police Commissioner Shea.

Above - District Leader Latina Jones with City Council members Vanessa Gibson and Rafael Salamanca.

Below - A group photo with Police Commissioner Shea, City Council members Gibson and Salamanca, and others who were involved in setting up the event.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 15, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.05 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.45 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.74 Percent

30 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"What we're seeing now as COVID rages across the country and world is what scientists told us time and time again would happen as the colder months arrived," Governor Cuomo said. "But we learned from what we went through in New York and we've been a step ahead ever since. These next few weeks will be challenging as the holidays arrive. We all want to be with our loved ones, especially after this hard year, but we must remain vigilant. We all have COVID fatigue, but we simply don't have the luxury of letting our guard down - COVID isn't tired. If we stay New York Tough and keep up the good work we've been doing, wearing our masks, staying socially distant and adhering to gathering limits, we can manage this global surge of COVID, but these next few weeks are key in maintaining our progress."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.05 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.45 percent. Within the focus areas, 23,488 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 953 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 109,714 test results were reported, yielding 2,696 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,845 (+57)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 266
• Hospital Counties - 51
• Number ICU - 378 (+11)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 158 (+12)
• Total Discharges - 81,788 (+203)
• Deaths - 30
• Total Deaths - 26,133

DEC ANNOUNCES TIE FOR STATE RECORD PUMPKINSEED

 

Pumpkinseed Caught in January Recently Confirmed through DNA Analysis

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that the state record for a pumpkinseed has officially been tied by a catch on the Black River earlier this year. 

“It took some time, but I want to personally congratulate Jordan Tontarski, the angler who caught the pumpkinseed last winter in Jefferson County, tying a state record set 25 years ago,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York has some of the most outstanding year-round angling opportunities in the nation and we encourage residents and visitors alike to enjoy this relaxing and family-friendly sport.” 

Tontarski caught the pumpkinseed last January while ice fishing on the Black River near Watertown. He had a feeling his catch would be a contender in the New York State Winter Classic Fishing Tournament and brought the fish to Chaumont Hardware for an official weigh-in. It came in at 1 lbs. 9 oz., with physical features of both pumpkinseed and the bluegill sunfish species. Tontarski brought the fish to DEC’s Region 6 Office for biologists to examine, but the verdict remained inconclusive. Seeking a final answer, he drove his mystery sunfish across the state to Albany for identification by ichthyologists at the New York State Museum. The recently completed DNA test concluded the fish was a pure pumpkinseed, officially tying the state record set in 1994 by R. Kennard Mosher in Indian Lake, Hamilton County. 

Tontarski submitted details of his winning catch to DEC's Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch and a distinctive lapel pin commemorating the achievement. Three categories make up the program: Catch & Release; Annual Award; and State Record. 

A photo of the record fish is posted on the New York State Freshwater Fishing Records page of DEC's website and attached. 

Tontarski’s sunfish joins two other state records set this year: Morgan Fonzi’s 3 lb., 8 oz. white bass caught on May 6 from the Lower Niagara River, Niagara County; and Jason Leusch’s 2 lb. rock bass caught on May 24 from Port Bay, Wayne County. 

For more information about the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including a downloadable application form, go to DEC's website. Program details and an official entry form can also be found in DEC's current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. 

For additional information on the Angler Achievement Awards Program, call (518) 402-8891 or email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.