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Bronx Politics and Community events
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Youth Development Survey Engages Students in Grades 7-12 To Assess Risks of Underage Drinking, Substance Use, and Problem Gambling
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Measures 9th-12th Grade Students’ strengths and risks Related to Unintentional Injuries and Violence, Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use, Dietary Behaviors, and Other Health Topics
Surveys Will Help School Districts and Local Communities Target the Specific Health and Prevention Needs of their Student Populations.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and New York State Education Department (NYSED) today announced the opportunity for school districts across New York State to participate in the Youth Development Survey (YDS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YDS will assess substance-related risk and protective factors of students in grades 7-12 regarding underage drinking, substance use, and problem gambling. The YRBS measures 9th-12th grade students’ strengths and risks related to unintentional injuries and violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, dietary behaviors, physical activity, sexual behaviors, obesity and weight control and other health topics.
“We have a responsibility to keep our kids safe, and New York is focused on engaging with young people to assess substance-related health risks,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The Youth Development Survey directly engages students, and will help schools and communities target their services and prevention methods to combat these risks.”
OASAS and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) monitor student risk factors that impact health, safety, and academic success through voluntary student surveys. This information allows both agencies to identify student health and prevention needs and develop resources to help reduce and prevent future and current behavioral health issues.
OASAS will work with International Survey Associates (ISA), a national youth survey organization, to conduct the survey in November 2021. ISA will process and analyze the results and provide district-specific estimates of substance use and risk, as well as potential protective factors to address these risks. The reports are designed to enable districts to determine how their students compare to the surrounding area, as well as the rest of the state.
NYSED contracts with its technical assistance center, the NYS Center for School Health (NYSCSH), to administer the YRBS to 30 high schools randomly selected by the CDC. The schools selected will be notified in August. The YRBS measures 9th-12th grade students’ strengths and risks related to unintentional injuries and violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, dietary behaviors, physical activity, sexual behaviors, obesity and weight control, and other health topics. Only one to four classes in the selected high schools take the survey, which provides both New York State and National YRBS trend data.
District participation is voluntary and free of charge, and OASAS and NYSED will be reaching out directly to superintendents to solicit participation in the survey. Districts are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to assess the behaviors of New York’s youth in order to implement policies geared toward improving the health of students and reducing the chances that they will engage in risky behavior. In addition, the youth population data collected through the surveys will enable the agencies to better evaluate and monitor state-funded local community and school-based prevention efforts.
“These surveys provide an excellent opportunity to assess the most critical needs of children in school districts across New York State, and will allow us to target our services where they are needed most,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “I urge all districts to participate and help us determine the risks and challenges they are facing, and the best ways to address these issues.”
“A comprehensive and coordinated approach with students, families, schools and communities is so important in helping our youth with decision making,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “If information from these surveys can help even one student, it’s worth it for districts to take part.”
“This year has seen increased stress, anxiety and trauma for our students and families and now, more than ever, we must help our children avoid harmful behaviors any way we can,” State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said. “I encourage districts to participate in these important surveys to ensure they receive the proper resources to support students in making good choices.”
Summertime Brings Water Activities and Children’s Safety Must Be a Priority
Child Drownings Remain Leading Cause of Unintentional Death in Children 1-4 years old
DCP Offers Water Safety Tips to Help Prevent Drownings
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today reminded parents and guardians to make water safety a priority for young children as summertime water activities begin. A new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report revealed that child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages one to four years old. The report also indicated that from 2018 to 2020, 78 percent of all nonfatal drowning injuries occurred among children younger than five years old. There are basic safety tips New Yorkers can take to help prevent drowning in children.
“As families enjoy water activities, it is imperative to pay close attention to the safety of our children,” said New York State Secretary of State, Rossana Rosado. “The New York Division of Consumer Protection is providing safety tips so parents and guardians can best safeguard children when they are near the water. This knowledge saves lives, and I urge all New Yorkers to follow these basic tips to ensure this summertime is safe and fun for all.”
"In a matter of minutes, children can succumb to the dangers of drowning if left unsupervised or without the proper training necessary to become strong swimmers," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "I urge all New Yorkers to enjoy the water responsibly this summer and to remember to put the safety of our youngest swimmers first to ensure a happy recreational season for all."
Safety tips to help prevent drownings:
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. Consumers can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/
For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-
“Work it, NYC: A Guide to LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity” will support NYC workforce providers and employers in implementing comprehensive, affirming best practices to serve LGBTQI+ clients
On the final day of Pride Month, Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the release of “Work It, NYC: A Guide to LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity,” a new resource to help provider organizations deliver higher quality services to LGBTQI+ seekers of education and employment services. This manual, created through a partnership between the NYC Unity Project and the NYC Center for Youth Employment, addresses the distinct barriers to high quality employment opportunities that many LGBTQI+ people face. These obstacles often are a direct result of stigma, discrimination, and violence experienced in work and educational settings. With awareness, preparation, and strategic interventions targeted to LGBTQI+ peoples’ unique needs, workforce providers can deliver the resources and services needed to support LGBTQI+ people.
“LGBTQI+ New Yorkers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, period,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The ‘Work It, NYC’ manual will give our providers and local organizations the tools to better serve LGBTQI+ jobseekers as we emerge from the pandemic and create an economy that works for everyone. I thank the Unity Project, the Center for Youth Employment and all our partners for their collaboration on this critical project. Visit nyc.gov/lgbtqwork to check it out today!”
“People who identify as LGBTQI+ want what everyone wants when it comes to employment and education: a safe environment where they are valued and respected,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “The ‘Work it, NYC’ guide to workplace inclusivity further secures our city’s reputation as a welcoming place for the LGBTQI+ community. New York is the city where you are accepted, no matter who you love or how you identify. And for anyone unaware of the barriers to inclusivity, ‘Work it, NYC’ is a guide to knowledge and resources.”
“All jobseekers and workers deserve to enter spaces where they will be treated with dignity and respect," said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. "LGBTQI+ young adults in particular face acute pressures when they seek services from workforce programs that historically haven't always affirmed their identities. The resources in this manual will help providers and employers reevaluate and revise their policies and practices to be inclusive of this community. It stands alongside the historic legal protections this administration has put in place for LGBTQI+ workers, and the newly launched Unity Works program to provide customized and comprehensive program services for LGBTQI+ youth, as a symbol of our commitment to helping these young New Yorkers reach their full potential as their authentic selves.”
“LGBTQI+ communities—particularly trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people of color—have been interpersonally and systemically excluded from accessing meaningful job opportunities for far too long,” said Ashe McGovern, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project and Senior LGBTQ Policy Advisor in the Office of the Mayor. “This comprehensive guide describes the complex context of intersecting forms of injustice that our communities face and creates concrete, actionable guidance so that all workforce providers and employers can more easily create intentional and affirming work spaces for LGBTQI+ community members. This collaborative manual draws upon the expertise of so many and is one key piece of our larger efforts, including our recent launch of the NYC Unity Project, to ensure that our communities are free to show up in every single space, including at work, as their most full and authentic selves, without facing discrimination or mistreatment.”
“Too often, LGBTQI+ young adults entering education and workforce training programs find that those spaces, intentionally or not, are not culturally competent in using best practices to serve LGBTQI+ clients,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. “This manual will help providers and employers create safe and supportive spaces, programs, and worksites for LGBTQI+ young adults--both affirming our values of equity and inclusion as a City, and delivering better outcomes for those young adults as well as the employers who will hire them.”
“Creating a supportive, respectful and inclusive work environment that addresses the needs of the LGBTQI+ community is imperative for the success of any organization and the New Yorkers they serve. DYCD values diversity and respect across our agency and funded programs, so I am thrilled that this new guide will give our providers even more tools to foster welcoming, safe and accepting spaces for our City’s LGBTQI+ community,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong.
“An inclusive workforce is a stronger workforce, and the ‘Work It, NYC’ guide will give provider organizations and partners a helpful toolkit for developing strategies and best practices that foster a more-welcoming workplace for the LGBTQI+ community,” said HRA Administrator Gary Jenkins. “Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of DSS-HRA’s workplace culture, and this comprehensive, culturally-responsive
The manual articulates the specific employment and training- related needs of the LGBTQI+ community for workforce professionals. It offers an in-depth overview of how workforce practitioners can create affirming services for LGBTQI+ people of various ages—and why it matters that they do so. Although the manual includes specific information about disparities that face LGBTQI+ youth, and targeted resources to support them, it is intended to support LGBTQI+ people of all ages. Highlights include:
This manual also can serve as a complement to in-person training sessions, and as a resource brought back to workforce programs by people who have undergone training, to digestibly summarize their training to those who were not able to attend. The manual can be accessed at nyc.gov/lgbtqwork.
“For centuries, people have flocked to New York City to create better lives for themselves and their families. A large portion of these dream-seekers have always been and will continue to be LGBTQI+, who have made our city’s economy prosper and more resilient,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “This new manual will help build a workforce that is more inclusive and will make our city stronger than ever before.”
“LGBTQI+ people deserve a supportive, inclusive and healthy working environment,” said Dr. Torian Easterling, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer of the Department of Health. “DOHMH is proud to have contributed to this manual, as we continue to advance anti-racist public health practice with an intersectional lens to address systemic inequities.”
“The ‘Work It, NYC: A Guide To LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity’ manual will help to support the evolution of a more inclusive workplace,” said Nathifa Forde, Deputy Executive Director of the NYC Young Men’s Initiative. “Everyone should feel affirmed and safe in the workplace. The Young Men’s Initiative understands the complexity of identity and its importance in creating and sustaining a diverse workforce and a just society at large. YMI supports and eagerly anticipates the utility of the manual to work towards eliminating the obstacles that LGBTQI+ individuals face within the workforce.”
“LGBTQI+ people still face barriers in the job market. Resources to help understand and overcome these hurdles should be easy to find, access, and share,” said John Paul Farmer, Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York. “Our team is incredibly proud to partner with the NYC Unity Project to create a digital landing page for a comprehensive resource guide on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion. This partnership underscores how modern digital services can amplify critical information -- such as this resource guide -- to better serve all New Yorkers.”
“When LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are able to be 100% their true selves in the workforce, they are able to contribute 100% of themselves to their employers. This manual will allow for organizations and employers to support their employees and constituents allowing for a positive and productive work environment for all,” said Jayson Littman, Senior Advisor for LGBTQ Community Affairs in the Office of the Mayor.
Damaging Winds, Heavy Rain and Lightning Forecast to Impact Several Areas Across the State Today
Temperatures Will Cool Down but Threat of More Thunderstorms Will Persist on Thursday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed State agencies to prepare emergency response assets as strong thunderstorms are forecast to move across the state Wednesday afternoon, bringing with them the potential for damaging winds, difficult travel conditions, localized flooding, and isolated power outages. Heavy rain and frequent lightning are also possible with these storms. Temperatures will continue to push into the 90s on Wednesday as the storms move across the state. Governor Cuomo urged New Yorkers to prepare for potentially hazardous weather and stay tuned to local forecasts for updated conditions.
"With high heat and humidity continuing to impact the entire state, we are also facing the threat of severe storms Wednesday that could bring heavy rain and high winds," Governor Cuomo said. "State agencies are on alert and ready to assist local partners if needed, and I'm encouraging New Yorkers to take the time to monitor local forecasts and help ensure loved ones are prepared as well."
Humid weather is expected Wednesday with scattered thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon, which could produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Ponding of water on roadways and standing water in low lying and poor drainage areas is possible. Before the storms develop, temperatures are expected to reach highs in the lower 90s, and heat indexes will reach the mid-90s up to 100 in some areas. Cooler weather is expected Thursday into the weekend with potential isolated thunderstorms and showers each day as a cold front will stall just south of the state. Several heat advisories remain in effect for much of the state and additional advisories may be issued today before cooler temperatures arrive Thursday.
New Yorkers can view weather alerts in their area by visiting the National Weather Service website here.
I am at Destination Tomorrow on East 149th Street in the Bronx presenting the founder and executive director Sean Coleman with a Proclamation. As the mayor of New York City with 186 days to go I have Proclaimed June 29, 2021 as Destination Tomorrow Day.
The entertainment put on here was regal, and I'm just going to be floating on air while I am here, Let's hope there are no shooting here in the Bronx today, so I can make it out alive. I wanted to take Wednesday off, but those pesky reporters aren't going to let me.