STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ADAMS ON CALL WITH HHS SECRETARY BECERRA AND CDC DIRECTOR WALENSKY ON MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on his call with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky on the Monkeypox outbreak yesterday afternoon:  

  

“Commissioner Vasan and I had a call yesterday with HHS Secretary Becerra and CDC Director Walensky about our city’s needs to face this Monkeypox outbreak together. We discussed the supply constraints that New York City is facing and the urgency to expand our vaccine access footprint to more people, in more neighborhoods, through more partners and providers. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to address this outbreak in a manner that is equitable and addresses areas of highest need and those most at risk. We also shared our commitment to expeditiously address the current shortage through upcoming allocations in ways that are proportional to the current burden of disease here in New York City — the epicenter of the Monkeypox epidemic — while expanding our efforts on the ground to get New Yorkers accurate information and necessary precaution for prevention. Our administration’s ongoing partnership with the CDC, HHS, and the White House is critical to best protect New Yorkers, and we will do everything we can to ensure our communities are safe and healthy.”  

AFTER TENTH DEATH IN CITY CUSTODY THIS YEAR, NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RENEWS CALL TO END SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

 

"Sunday night, after allegedly facing torturous isolation and being denied critical care, Elijah Muhammad died alone in a cell on Rikers Island. It’s now been reported that just days before his death, he spent thirty-two hours in isolation, which violates both policy and conscience.

"His passing is a tragedy, another preventable death in city custody and because of our city’s failures. This loss is yet another urgent call to pass new legislation that ends solitary confinement in practice, not just in name, and provides strict, safer parameters for any temporary separation. Solitary kills, especially on an island where there are failures at every level to adequately provide the safety and security required to protect incarcerated individuals and staff.

"Any plans to reform Rikers are not moving fast enough to contend with a crisis that presents immediate danger to people on both sides of the bars. Urgent action is morally mandated to enact change, to decarcerate, and to finally end the deeply damaging, sometimes deadly practice of solitary as we work toward closing Rikers."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Monkeypox Update & Resources

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

 

This week, we partnered with InstaCart, a leading food delivery company, for a food distribution event in the South Bronx. Hunger continues to be an issue in our borough with many Bronxites experiencing food insecurity. Through public-private partnerships, we are committed to decreasing hunger in the Bronx and to ensuring all of our residents have equitable access to food.

We also hosted The Abolition Commemoration Day Event at Borough Hall, where we celebrated the abolition of slavery in New York, the first state to decree freedom to African American adult men and woman born after July 4th, 1799.

 

On Sunday, we joined with our Bronx community at Orchard Beach for the first Summer Concert Series of the season at the Bronx Riviera, Orchard Beach. We had a blast together! Thank you to everyone who joined us. If you missed this week’s concert, don’t worry - join us next Sunday! We will be having performances by Johnny Mambo & Friends and Hip Hop Jibarito.

 

As of today, officials have confirmed 267 cases of Monkeypox in New York City. The number has risen dramatically in the past couple of weeks and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is urging eligible New Yorkers to schedule appointments to get vaccinated. You can find more information here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

HEALTH UPDATES

COMMUNITY UPDATE

IN THE COMMUNITY

According to a 2021 report from Hunger Free America, over 25% of Bronx residents were experiencing food insecurity, the most among the boroughs. In 2021, there was a 56% drop in food insecurity due to federal pandemic aid. The four biggest digital food delivery services reach a combined 93% of Americans including 90% of those living in food deserts (Walmart, Amazon, Instacart, and Uber Eats). Thank you to InstaCart, New York Common Pantry, Pastor John Morgan, State Senator Sepulveda, Congressman Torres, Deputy Speaker Ayala, MetroPlus, and everyone else that helped to make our food distribution event a success!

Fun in the sun at our Bronx Riviera! Thank you to everyone who joined us and tour sponsors for helping  make this event possible! To our performers, C&C Music Factory, Charlie Cruz and Son Del  Monte, thank you for your incredible performances. We will be back at Orchard Beach for a second round of fun and  music this Sunday 7/17. We hope to see you there!! Office of The Bronx Borough President  851 Grand Concourse, Ste. 301, Bronx, NY 10451

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center to Host a Blood Drive

 

The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center (VCJC), located at 3880 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463, in conjunction with the New York Blood Center (NYBC), is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. 

 

NYBC announced a blood emergency last month due to an alarming drop in blood donations. NYBC encourages all who are able to sign up and donate, especially during the summer months, when warmer weather and vacation plans make blood donation less of a priority.

 

We need people to donate blood and volunteers to help run the drive. To donate, go to this link:  https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/296446. For those without a computer, you can call 800-933-2566. When donating blood, sign-ups are preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome.

 

To volunteer: Call the VCJC office at 718 884-6105. Leave your name and a phone number.

 

Donor requirements are – Bring your donor card or ID with a photo. Eat well and drink fluids before donating. You must be at least 16 to donate, and anyone between 16 and 18 must have parental permission on the NYBC form. Donors over 76 need a doctor’s note unless NYBC has a previous note and your health status has not changed. You cannot have had a new tattoo in the past 12 months unless the tattoo was done in NJ. The minimum weight is 110 pounds.

 

Masks are required for all donors and volunteers regardless of vaccination status.

Jack Spiegel

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

Cell: 646-296-1737

Email: Jspiegel831@yahoo.com

Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million Awarded in the First Round of Abortion Provider Support Fund

 

Launches Series of Reproductive Health Care Roundtables with Providers to Discuss Needs and Experiences of Providing Care in New York Post-Roe

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $10 million awarded in the first round of the Abortion Provider Support Fund to 13 programs, covering 63 sites. The Governor also launched a series of reproductive health care roundtables, beginning with today's roundtable with downstate awardees, to discuss the needs and experiences of providers and how New York is confronting challenges and protecting access post-Roe. Applications for round two of funding will open next week. For the second phase, $15 million will be awarded to a broader array of programs, including independent clinics. 

"Under my watch, New York will always be a safe harbor for those seeking reproductive health care, and I am committed to working with providers across the state to ensure they have the support and resources they need," Governor Hochul said. "We will continue to build on our nation-leading protections for abortion patients and providers to safeguard abortion access in our state."  

For phase one, the New York State Department of Health is awarding $10 million to organizations that are currently funded under the Comprehensive Family Planning Program (CFPP) - which delivers comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals of reproductive age - and have provided medical and/or surgical abortions in the past 12 months.  

First round awardees are: 

• Long Island Jewish Medical Center: 2 clinics 
• Nassau Health Care Corporation: 1 clinic 
• New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation - Harlem: 1 clinic 
• New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation - Jacobi: 1 clinic 
• New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation - Kings: 1 clinic 
• New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation - Lincoln: 1 clinic 
• Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY Inc.: 9 clinics 
• Planned Parenthood of Greater New York: 23 clinics 
• Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc.: 10 clinics 
• Planned Parenthood of North Country New York Inc.: 7 clinics 
• Public Health Solutions: 2 clinics 
• Staten Island University Hospital: 3 clinics 
• Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood: 3 clinics 

Former New York State Correction Officer Pleads Guilty To Depriving An Inmate Of His Constitutional Rights

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that AARON FINN pled guilty to a deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law.  FINN, formerly a correction officer at the Green Haven Correctional Facility, assaulted an inmate in the custody of the State of New York, repeatedly striking and thrashing the inmate’s head and body, while the inmate was restrained with handcuffs.  The assault occurred on March 19, 2020, while FINN was employed as a correction officer. FINN’s actions deprived the inmate of the constitutional right to be free from excessive force amounting to cruel and unusual punishment.  FINN pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As he admitted today, former correction officer Aaron Finn violated the constitutional rights of an inmate by using excessive force amounting to cruel and unusual punishment. This conviction should send a loud and clear message—the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution extend to all Americans, including inmates. When the constitutional rights of inmates are violated, we will act aggressively to bring wrongdoers to justice.”

According to the Superseding Indictment and other documents in the public record, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

FINN was previously a correction officer assigned to the Green Haven Correctional Facility. On March 19, 2020, while working as a correction officer, FINN used his body to press a handcuffed inmate face-first against a wall, and then repeatedly struck the back of the inmate’s head, causing the inmate’s head to hit a cinder block wall.  FINN then repeatedly thrashed the inmate’s head against steel cell bars.  After the assault, the victim required stitches to multiple lacerations on his face and head.

FINN, 36, of Hyde Park, New York, pled guilty to a deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 242, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in Queens

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Raul Hardy, who died on July 9, 2022, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

On the evening of July 9, an individual placed multiple threatening calls to 911 and members of the NYPD were dispatched to the individual’s house. When officers arrived at the residence in Saint Albans, Queens, they encountered Mr. Hardy outside the residence. Officers instructed Mr. Hardy to show his hands, but Mr. Hardy did not comply and allegedly pointed a gun at the officers. Gunfire was then exchanged, and Mr. Hardy was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a gun at the scene.

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.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

MAYOR ADAMS OPENS NEW, INNOVATIVE BEHAVORIAL HEALTH FACILITY FOR NEW YORKERS EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS

 

Bronx Support and Connection Center Will Provide Alternative to Avoidable Emergency Room Visits or Criminal Justice Interventions for People With Mental Health or Substance Use Needs  

City’s B-HEARD Program to Refer Patients to Center tor Mental Health Services 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today announced the opening of the Bronx Support and Connection Center (SCC) — a short-term treatment and stabilization program that offers services for people experiencing mental health or substance use needs. The facility offers New Yorkers with an alternative to avoidable emergency room visits and criminal justice interventions. The SCC will also serve patients referred by the city’s recently expanded Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD) program.  

"New Yorkers struggling with mental health and substance use deserve compassion and support, not a revolving door of emergency room and criminal justice interventions,” said Mayor Adams. “We are tackling the mental health crisis in our city with innovation and urgency to reach people where they are and provide them the resources they need. In partnership with the newly expanded B-HEARD initiative and the NYPD, New Yorkers in crisis will find support and a path to a more stable life at the Bronx Support and Connection Center, yet another example of our investments in the upstream mental health, safety solutions that will allow all New Yorkers to thrive.”  

“If you are living with mental health or substance, use needs or if you know someone who is, the city has another hub of support for you in the Bronx,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “The center announced today will provide a range of immediate and stabilizing services that will help people on their pathway to recovery. Thank you to our partners in this multiagency effort to reach people where they are and, in a time, when they need support.”  

“We know that New Yorkers experiencing mental health crises need more and better on ramps to care and need transitional environments in which to stabilize and connect with people and resources,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Support and Connection Centers create the immediate stability and establish the links that help break the cycle of housing instability, justice system involvement, and emergency room visits that too many people with ongoing mental health or substance use challenges experience. These centers are a vital part of the rehabilitative social infrastructure we are investing in to support people facing significant mental health challenges to find connection, compassion, and holistic care on their journey of recovery and crisis prevention.” 

“The Bronx Support and Connection Center will serve as a critical pathway to long-term stability and community-based supports for fellow New Yorkers who are in greatest need,” said Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene Dr. Michael McRae.   

“For the first time in this city’s history, these centers operating in conjunction with B-HEARD teams allow New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis to be served in their community with options for behavioral health care that were not previously part of the traditional emergency response” said Jason Hansman and Tina Chiu, co-acting directors, Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH). “We are proud to partner with DOHMH, the New York City Fire Department, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the New York City Police Department to support the city’s commitment to treating mental health emergencies as a public health issue.”  

“The FDNY is proud to support the opening of the Bronx Support and Connection Center,” said New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “Our B-HEARD response units focus on de-escalation and support, and the Bronx SCC will allow the neediest Bronx residents to receive the long-term care they require.”  

“This center will be a neighborhood resource to connect individuals in this community with comprehensive behavioral health services,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Interagency Operations Terri Tobin. “We look forward to this new opportunity to continue our collaboration with the health care community in ensuring New Yorkers receive the right type of care.” 

“The Harlem Support and Connection Center has been an essential partner to the B-HEARD initiative,” said Charles Barron, MD, deputy chief medical officer, Office of Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals. “It provides a safe place for community members to go, helping avoid unnecessary transports to the emergency room. We look forward to partnering with the Bronx Support and Connection Center to provide the needed care in the community.”

Referrals to the Bronx SCC can come from NYPD’s 47^th Precinct and the B-HEARD teams that operate in the South Bronx. B-HEARD teams up EMTs/paramedics from FDNY’s Emergency Medical Services and mental health professionals from NYC Health + Hospitals to respond to certain emergency mental health calls as the city’s health-centered approach to 911 mental health calls. Mayor Adams previously announced B-HEARD’s expansion to six new precincts in North Manhattan and the South Bronx, more than doubling the precincts covered to 11. 

The Bronx SCC will offer robust clinical services provided by Samaritan Daytop Village, a nonprofit health and human services provider with programs throughout the five boroughs. SCC services will include screening and assessments, counseling services, short-term case management, links to ongoing health and social care, medically supervised substance withdrawal services, access to naloxone, psychiatric services, peer support, and primary care. Additionally, referred individuals can access other services, such as food, showers, laundry, and limited overnight stays. Stays at the center can range from hours to days, depending on the needs of the community member.   

The Bronx SCC will serve as a sister site to the East Harlem SCC, which opened in February 2020 and reopened in October 2020 after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From reopening in October 2020 to March 2022, community members have been brough to the East Harlem SCC 318 times. Many of these referrals have come from B-HEARD teams. From July 2021 to March 2022, community members have returned on their own for services after their first stay 166 times.  

The Support and Connection Center program model was developed by DOHMH in consultation with partner agencies and with feedback from members of the community and experts. The Bronx SCC can currently serve 17 community members at any given time and will ramp up to serving 25 community members at a time once fully operational. The program is voluntary.  

The Bronx Support and Connection Center began serving New Yorkers on Monday, July 11. Together with the East Harlen SCC, the two centers will cost about $11 million annually. 

Drop-off diversion centers with similar models have proven to be successful in Los Angeles; San Antonio; Phoenix; Kansas City; Missouri, and Dutchess County, New York.  

"The Bronx Support and Connection Center is an important collaborative effort to address one of New York City's most pressing health issues," said Mitchell Netburn, president & CEO of Samaritan Daytop Village. "Instead of a jail cell or an emergency room, community members with mental health and/or substance use issues will be able to immediately receive a full range of services at this Center. Our unique combination of clinical programs, peer support, and primary care will be a new experience for many individuals brought to the Center. Our open-door policy is designed to encourage them to return, stabilize, and begin their journey to health and wellness."  

“There was a need for robust clinical wraparound services in our borough before COVID-19 and this has only been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Equitable access to mental, emotional, and physical care that is attuned to a patient`s unique needs should be a human right and the grand opening of the Bronx Support and Connection Center is the first step to ensuring that right is guaranteed to all Bronxites. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams and Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan for their leadership and for prioritizing health services for our most vulnerable residents in our borough and our city.”