NYS OASAS ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW WITHDRAWAL AND STABILIZATION PROGRAM IN ROCHESTER

 

New Program Offers 18 beds, Supported by OASAS Funding

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) today announced the opening of the new Gregory E. Polisseni Living Hope Treatment Center in Rochester, operated by Villa of Hope. This new medically supervised withdrawal and stabilization program provides 18 beds to assist individuals who are in withdrawal from substances and connect them with appropriate treatment. OASAS provided more than $4 million in capital funding for this project, and is also supporting the program with $540,000 in annual operational funding.

“Helping people stabilize and manage their withdrawal from substance use disorders is an important part of the continuum of addiction care. It is often the first step for many people in their journey to becoming healthier.” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “The opening of this new program continues our efforts to meet the needs of people across New York State, and provide them the help and resources they need to live healthier lives.”

Withdrawal and stabilization programs, often referred to as detox, provide immediate care for individuals who are intoxicated or incapacitated by substance use. These programs manage the medical and psychological complications of withdrawal, and assess and refer individuals to further treatment as appropriate.

The Gregory E. Polisseni Living Hope Treatment Center will provide short-term, around the clock care for people in withdrawal, and direct them towards other services in the community. It is located at 3300 Dewey Ave in Rochester.

In addition to this program, Villa of Hope also operates programs that offer residential rehabilitation services for youth and outpatient treatment for addiction, as well as community prevention services.

 

Christina Gullo, President/CEO of Villa of Hope, said “Individuals and families seeking help should not have to travel outside Monroe County to find it. We need to eliminate barriers and stigma to get people the help they need – when and where they need it. Drugs are killing our friends, neighbors, and young people – they are killing our communities. We all need to step up and take on this challenge. Villa of Hope is grateful to partner with NYS OASAS to tackle this crisis and serve individuals with substance use needs in our new Living Hope Treatment Center.”

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 680,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year. OASAS is the single designated state agency responsible for the coordination of state-federal relations in the area of addiction services.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Month in New York State

Read the Proclamation Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Month in New York State. The month-long observance will recognize the longstanding, strong partnership between New York State and Puerto Rico and highlight the important contributions of people of Puerto Rican descent in the state. The proclamation also acknowledges the impact of Hurricane Fiona, which struck the island this past September, and ongoing support, supplies, and other relief efforts to people in Puerto Rico and its government.

"With one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in our nation, New York has a rich history and a long connection with the people of Puerto Rico," Governor Hochul said. "By designating November as Puerto Rican Heritage Month, we are honoring and celebrating the longstanding contributions of Puerto Rican communities across the state in all areas - business, arts and culture, science and technology, athletics, public service, and more."

The annual observance of Puerto Rican Heritage Month will highlight the traditions and customs of the Puerto Rican community, as well as its accomplishments here in New York, across America, and in Puerto Rico. The month-long celebration will spotlight the contributions of Puerto Rican communities across New York on social, cultural, and economic development of the state and nation and how they have established strong foundations of life in the neighborhoods of New York City and across the state.

The proclamation also acknowledged the devastating impacts of Hurricane Fiona on the island and the resiliency that Puerto Ricans have showed in the aftermath. Since Hurricane Maria, New York has helped Puerto Rico secure billions of dollars in federal funding from FEMA to recover and rebuild the island's energy infrastructure, in addition to NYPA performing technical assessments of powerplants and substations on the island. In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, the worst storm to hit the island since Hurricane Maria, Governor Hochul announced New York State actions to assist Puerto Rico in relief efforts. These efforts have further strengthened New York's long-standing commitment to help Puerto Rico in its reconstruction and recovery.

Bank Insider Pleads Guilty To Bank Bribery For Facilitating Multimillion Dollar Wire Fraud Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LUIS RIVAS pled guilty to conspiring to commit bank bribery in connection with a business email compromise scheme that defrauded businesses of millions of dollars.  RIVAS was the seventh person charged in this international scheme. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Bank employee Luis Rivas used his inside knowledge and access to open bank accounts for fake businesses so that his co-conspirators could receive and launder millions of dollars from victims who had been deceived.  Now, Rivas is rightly being held accountable for his crime.  Today’s guilty plea reflects this Office’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting individuals who abuse positions of trust at financial institutions to engage in corrupt criminal conduct.”

According to the Indictment and other public filings and proceedings in the case: 

From at least in or about 2018 through at least in or about May 2020, LUIS RIVAS, who at the time of the offense was a financial sales advisor at a Houston branch of a national bank, agreed to accept payments in exchange for helping others open business bank accounts for phony companies.  Those bank accounts were then used to receive more than $2.2 million in fraud proceeds.  The money came from a business email compromise scheme in which businesses were defrauded by co-conspirators who impersonated, via email, individuals and businesses in the course of otherwise ordinary financial transactions, thereby fraudulently inducing the victims to transfer funds to bank accounts that the perpetrators controlled.  The names of the phony companies used for the bank accounts that RIVAS helped open were purposefully chosen to mirror the names of the true counterparties in those business transactions.

RIVAS also helped the perpetrators access and launder the fraud proceeds.  In particular, RIVAS assisted with unfreezing, transferring, and withdrawing money in transactions designed to conceal and disguise the funds’ source, ownership, and control. 

RIVAS was generally paid between $500 to $1,500 for each account that he helped open and each transaction where he provided assistance.  He received, in total, approximately $45,000 for his corrupt insider services.

RIVAS, 36, of Houston, Texas, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  As part of his guilty plea, RIVAS agreed to forfeit $45,000 to the United States.   

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as RIVAS’s sentence will be determined by the judge.  RIVAS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel on March 21, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations for their investigative efforts and ongoing support and assistance with the case. 

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in the Bronx

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on November 3, 2022, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Late in the morning on November 3, two men were involved in a physical fight in a shop near the intersection of East Gun Hill Road and Hull Avenue in the Bronx. During the fight, one of the men stabbed the other and fled the shop. The other pursued him on the street and shot at him. NYPD officers nearby saw the civilian firing his gun and then fired their guns at him. The civilian was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The NYPD 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 CONSOLIDATES CITYWIDE CLEANING FUNCTIONS TO ‘GET STUFF CLEAN,’ ANNOUNCES $14.5 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR CLEAN STREETS AND PARKS

 

Adams Administration Will End ‘No Man’s Land’ Areas of Dirty Conditions Around Five Boroughs That Have Been Neglected

 

Mayor Adams Doubles Down on Cleanliness Investments After July Cleanliness Funding Already Showing Results

 

DSNY to Add 200 New Sanitation Workers to Keep Public Spaces Clean

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today announced $14.5 million in new funding to create a cleaner city through a major upgrade to cleanliness protocols across the five boroughs. The ‘Get Stuff Clean’ initiative will invest $14.5 million this fiscal year alone to clean more than 1,000 ‘No Man’s Land’ neglected areas around the city, increase litter basket service, expand camera enforcement against illegal dumping, and bring on additional rat exterminators — resulting in faster and more reliable cleaning of every corner of the city. 

 

“From day one of this administration, we have been focused on ‘Getting Stuff Done,’ and, today, we are specifically delivering on the promise to ‘Get Stuff Clean’ for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “A big part of today’s initiative is cross-agency collaboration that will result in cleaner streets, more jobs, fewer rodents, and improved quality of life for our city’s 8.8 million residents. This $14.5 million investment will help build a cleaner, more welcoming city across all five boroughs and target over 1,000 areas that have long been neglected. New Yorkers are tired of seeing overflowing litter baskets and trash under overpasses, so our administration intends to deliver a more functional and more well-kept city for all.”  

 

‘Get Stuff Clean’ includes the following initiatives and new funding to keep New York City’s streets, parks, and public spaces clean: 

• 200 new DSNY workers will be added to support cleanliness across the five boroughs.  
• NYC Parks will add new evening shifts for hot spot cleaning and rat mitigation within city parks, made up of 240 NYC Parks’ posts. 
• $7.1 million for DSNY this fiscal year alone and more than $6.5 million annually thereafter to regularly clean approximately 1,500 ‘No Man’s Land’ areas around the city — areas that past administrations put under the jurisdiction of other city agencies without dedicated cleanliness resources. DSNY will also organize a new unit, the Targeted Neighborhood Taskforce (TNT), to give these areas regularly scheduled cleanings. 
• $4.9 million for DSNY to implement Phase Two of the litter basket servicing plan this year, and resources in upcoming years, to service litter baskets at the entrances of bridges and along the perimeters of city parks. Phase One of the litter basket service plan that went into effect on July 1^st is already showing promising results: A 55 percent reduction in litter basket complaints, bringing complaints back in line with pre-pandemic levels. Phase Two covers additional baskets at some of the city’s most highly-trafficked tourist areas. 
• $470,000 this fiscal year and $1.1 million annually thereafter for a DSNY and DOT partnership to take on regular cleanings of highway on- and off-ramps. Like bridges and park edges, highway ramps are often one of the first places seen by visitors to New York City. They must be cleaned thoroughly and regularly, but this DSNY function was defunded at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now being restored. 
• The Adams administration is deepening its investment in dumping enforcement by adding $1.4 million this fiscal year, and nearly $400,000 annually thereafter, for expanded camera enforcement against the scourge of illegal dumping. People engaged in illegal dumping will face $4,000 fines and vehicle impounds on a regular basis with these new cameras as part of an expansion of a highly successful and popular enforcement strategy. 
• $630,000 this fiscal year and nearly $1 million in the next year for DOHMH to expand rat mitigation efforts. 
• DEP will accelerate hiring 50 additional staff to inspect and clean sewer grates, also known as catch basins. Clean, clear, and unclogged sewer grates minimize flooding and improve the functionality of the sewer system.

“New York City is one of the densest cities in the world and New Yorkers occupy each and every corner, so each and every corner must be clean,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “With additional investment, elbow grease, and smart interagency coordination, our forgotten, neglected spaces like median strips and green space will get and stay clean and litter free for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

 

“As children, families, or any New Yorker strolls through their neighborhood, they deserve a clean environment,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “They should have certainty that the city will tend to trash, rats, and other quality of life issues. This initiative adds to the city’s ability to do that. Thank you to the teams across the city doing this work and to our interagency partners for coming together to deliver the services New Yorkers need.”

 

“Over the last two months, we worked with our agency partners to identify parts of the city that have suffered from gaps in cleaning, be it litter removal or basket service,” said DSNY Commissioner Tisch. “Now, we have 200 new sanitation workers coming on board who are going to close those gaps. I want to thank Mayor Adams for giving us the funding to do what we do best: ‘Get Stuff Clean.’”  

 

“Parks are one of the most utilized destinations in New York City—people near and far visit them for fun, relaxation, and their mental and physical health,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “We’re grateful to Mayor Adams for leading this strategic path forward, affording us the opportunity to create a second shift to address our most heavily used spaces; and collaborating with our sister agencies on additive services to aid our hard-working staff in keeping our parks and their perimeters clean!” 

 

“Litter on the street can get carried by rain water to the storm drains where it often blocks the flow of water into the sewers,” said DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “Litter is a top contributor to flooding and standing water in the city and we applaud this initiative and look forward to working with our agency partners to Get Stuff Clean for New Yorkers!”

 

“Trash on highway ramps or along our iconic bridges can add to a sense of disorder that makes these public spaces less welcoming – for New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “DOT is proud of the work that we have undertaken to keep these spaces clean in the past, and we’re excited to do even more in partnership with DSNY to make all these public spaces shine. Thanks to Mayor Adams’ incredible leadership on and investment in ‘Get Stuff Clean’ the future and cleanliness of New York City’s public realm is bright!”

 

“Public health is, at the end of the day, about making people’s lives better and helping them live healthier, longer lives”, said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Vasan. “That comes in many diverse forms of action, including things like pest control and sanitation and addressing social determinants of health like transportation. And we rely on our partners in this vision, like NYC Parks, DSNY, and DOT, and we can’t wait to support this work to get our city clean and to make New York City the healthiest big city in the world.” 

 

As part of the administration’s “Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” the city committed to prioritize street-by-street cleaning, and public space revitalization. These cleanliness investments represent an important step toward advancing those goals. 

 

83% of Schools Welcoming Newcomer Students Faced Budget Cuts Earlier This Year, NYC Comptroller Analysis Finds

 

A new analysis from the NYC Comptroller’s Office found that the majority of schools welcoming new students from families seeking asylum faced budget cuts earlier this year and many are due far more in per pupil funding than they have yet received from the Department of Education. The Comptroller’s office analysis estimated that 368 schools enrolling newcomer students are due more than $39 million in Fair Student Funding, calculated using the enrollment-based formula that provides schools with their budgets and factors in weights for various student needs.

“New York City schools are opening their arms to new students as only this city of immigrants can, but they need all the help they can get to meet this challenge,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “As the city moves beyond standing up emergency measures in response to the arrival of asylum seekers in NYC, it’s time to make comprehensive funding plans to meet the needs of these students and ensure that the schools welcoming them have the programming and support staff needed to help them succeed.”

On October 31st, DOE released School Allocation Memorandum 65, which provided $12 million for schools with 6 or more newcomer students ($2,000 per student) that can be spent for per diem or per session staff, but not new permanent teaching staff, counselors, social workers or paraprofessionals. The memorandum showed that students are concentrated in a small number of schools based on shelter proximity, not necessarily based on preexisting capacity (bilingual teachers, dual language programs, social emotional and wellness supports) to meet these students’ needs.

Of the schools welcoming new students, 83% saw FSF budget cuts already this year, and 36% faced a cut of 10% or more of their FSF funding. Schools that are already operating at a deficit of resources are now stretching as dozens of new students enroll. For example, one District 2 school saw a 35% cut in FSF funding this year. The school has welcomed 61 newcomer students and is receiving a SAM 65 allocation of $122,000, far less than the estimated $435,000 in per pupil FSF funding for these students, which usually comes after the mid-year enrollment adjustment.

The Comptroller called on the Department of Education to develop a plan to provide schools with ongoing funding for newcomer students including allowing principals to hire staff with the new SAM 65 funding and prioritizing schools with newcomer students for the full amount of FSF funding their new enrollment entitles them to now rather than the 75% they typically receive in November.

The analysis is available here: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/students-from-families-seeking-asylum.

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $5 Million Awarded to Support Animal Shelter Improvements

 Round Four of the Companion Animal Capital Fund Continues Support of Construction, Renovation and Expansion of Animal Shelters

2022 Grant Recipients Will Provide Sheltered Animals with Enhanced Living Spaces and Medical Care

Program Receives Major Boost for Round Five Through the FY 2023 Enacted Budget

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nearly $5 million has been awarded to 17 not-for-profit animal shelters and humane societies through the fourth round of the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund. The funding will support construction, renovation and expansion projects that will provide animal care. As the first in the nation to fund capital projects for animal shelters, New York State continues to demonstrate its commitment to securing safe housing and care for sheltered dogs and cats as they await adoption, including through an increased appropriation for the fifth round of the program in the Fiscal Year 2023 Enacted Budget.

"New York's Companion Animal Capital Fund makes a true difference for shelters and humane societies across the state, helping them to make critical upgrades that ultimately mean better care for our dogs and cats as they await their forever homes," Governor Hochul said. "I was proud to include funding for this program in my Executive Budget this year - the first time in history - and my administration will continue supporting the great organizations that work to keep sheltered dogs and cats safe."

Since the launch of the Companion Animal Capital Fund program in 2017, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the state has dedicated $20 million to 57 projects. This year, Governor Hochul included the Companion Animal Capital Fund in her proposed Executive Budget, a first for the program and a demonstration of her continued commitment to New York's companion animals. In the enacted FY 2023 New York State Budget, the program received a historic $8 million for its next round.

The fourth round of funding awarded builds on previous initiatives to offset the costs associated with capital projects run by New York State animal shelters. Projects funded this year include new living spaces for additional cats, new medical facilities, and shelter renovations to include additional kennels. 

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets selects grant recipients based on a need assessment, detailed project description, and reasonableness of cost. Further recognizing the importance of this program, for the first time this year, the state also expanded eligibility to include shelters that were previously granted this fund and have completed their projects, as well as shelters without municipal contracts servicing underserved regions. 

The following shelters received an award in this round of the program:

Capital Region 

• Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady: $492,563 for medical supplies, tile flooring, new isolation areas, and increased capacity for dog housing. 
• Mohawk & Hudson Humane Society: $500,000 for a new veterinary suite that allows for separation of sick dogs from healthy ones. 
• Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans: $440,347 for renovation of a recently purchased building to increase both canine and feline housing capacity as well as a cat condo and isolation area. 
• Susquehanna SPCA: $143,289 for the purchase of veterinary equipment including a stationary radiograph machine, a dental radiograph machine, laser therapy equipment, and surgical cautery tools to provide enhanced medical care for animals.

Hudson Valley 

• Humane Society of Westchester: $125,000 for resurfacing of outdoor dog runs, a retaining wall for the dog park, and new cages and floors for the cat area.
• Paws Crossed Animal Rescue, Inc.: $200,000 for a new adoption area, cat rooms, and meet and greet rooms. The addition of a veterinary clinic area, community room, and staff offices are planned as well. 
• Sullivan County SPCA: $100,000 for an HVAC system, new kennel gates, doors, and fencing that will support animal health, safety, and comfort. 
• Ulster County SPCA: $250,510 for a total renovation of their dog kennel area as well as new paint and new flooring. 

Long Island 

• Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons: $200,000 for a new pressure washing system, plumbing, and HVAC system to support animal health, safety, and comfort. 
• Bidawee, Inc: $200,000 for a brand new, state of the art HVAC system. 
• Town of Brookhaven: $146,500 for a shelter renovation to include additional kennels, a dedicated food preparation area, and a meet and greet area.
• Town of Hempstead: $52,000 for shelter upgrades and enhancements including better drainage and lighting.

Northern New York 

• Jefferson County SPCA: $189,767 for expansion of services in a new veterinary wing for sick or injured animals. This will allow space for dental procedures, surgeries, pre-operative care, post-operative care, and a treatment area for injured pets.

Western New York 

• Chautauqua County Humane Society: $159,677 for increased security, window replacements, an HVAC system, and generator expansion. 
• Hornell Area Humane Society: $ 346,875 for a cattery expansion, and expansion of the space for canine behavior and training sessions. Additional areas will be renovated, including a new food preparation area and a separate area for cleaning supplies. 
• Pet Pride of New York: $200,000 for renovations and additions to a new wing of the shelter which will include intake, isolation, veterinary areas as well as a utility room, staff restrooms, and a staff breakroom.
• Ten Lives Club: $200,000 for shelter expansion and improvement for their cats. Four new living spaces will provide space for additional cats, and the addition of an HVAC system will provide clean air.

According to the New York State Animal Protection Federation, more than 150,000 animals annually are brought to non-profit and municipality-run shelters and humane societies. The New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund will help these organizations continue to provide sheltering services to local communities, promote better care for the animals, and facilitate more adoptions.

Permits Filed For 913 Bryant Avenue In Hunts Point, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 913 Bryant Avenue in Hunts Point, The Bronx. Located between Seneca Avenue and Garrison Avenue, the lot is near the Hunts Point Avenue subway station, serviced by the 6 train. Simon Tinaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 36-foot-tall development will yield 6,759 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have ten residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 675 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a 36-foot-long rear yard but no accessory parking.

Fred Geremia Architects & Planners is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.