THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ENCOURAGES SUMMER PROGRAMS TO HELP YOUNG NEW YORKERS EXPLORE CAREERS WITH CAREER JUMPSTART!

Career Jumpstart! Prepares Young People for the World of Work 

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is encouraging summer youth programs statewide to incorporate Career Jumpstart! into their curriculums to help prepare young people for success after high school. NYSDOL and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) launched the pilot program in the summer of 2021 in partnership with faith-based organizations in the New York City area. As part of the program, participants were given the opportunity to explore career options and develop plans for their futures. Early career development helps young New Yorkers make informed career choices, resulting in lower student debt, more fulfilling careers, self-sufficient lifestyles, and a skilled workforce for our robust economy.

“Young New Yorkers will be the inheritors of our economic future,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “These career development modules and activities can inspire students to start exploring careers and set young New Yorkers up for a successful future in our workforce.”

Career development activities are categorized in modules such as career exploration, getting hired, essential skills, community conversations, online branding, and financial literacy. Each activity takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete and can be tailored to the age group and their interests. The activities include diverse learning mediums such as arts, theatre, sports, music, peer interactions, social justice issues, group projects, and nature. Those interested in integrating the modules and activities in their youth and young adult programs can complete this online form to download the toolkit. Questions can be submitted to YouthTeam@labor.ny.gov.

Career Jumpstart! is just one of many no-cost resources offered by NYSDOL to help guide New Yorkers into careers they love. Digital resources include additional information about career exploration, job search and networking tips, resume/cover letter writing assistance, and more.

For young New Yorkers looking to enter the world of work, NYSDOL provides online guidance, broken down by ages 14-17 and 18-24, to help employers, parents, and minors know their rights under the law. The Department also created this video as part of a campaign to educate the public about the safeguards for minors in the workplace. For more information on child labor laws, visit the Know Your Rights webpage. 

Cooperation Between United States and Mexican Law Enforcement Leads to Significant Actions Against Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization

 

 U.S. and Mexican law enforcement announced significant enforcement actions against a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.-Mexico border.

After extensive bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mexico, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) – conducted a significant enforcement operation on June 23, 2023, to dismantle a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.–Mexico border. The operation resulted in the arrest of five people and the seizure of 120,000 fentanyl pills, 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of heroin, 15 pounds of cocaine, three assault rifles, one 9mm handgun, and a vehicle.

In addition, seven U.S.-based coordinators and operators with alleged ties to the same drug-trafficking organization have been arrested and indicted in the United States. Gerardo Bernal-Mazon, 29, Ashley Bernal, 31, Jessica Yesenia Valenzuela, 32, and Delyanira Lovio, 29, all of Nogales, Arizona, Juan Murillo, 48, of Rio Rico, Arizona, and Lilian Sugey Siegfried, 38, of Tucson, Arizona, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges on Feb. 2. George Armenta-Vasquez, 45, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 25.

“Transnational drug trafficking organizations pose an unprecedented public safety threat to both the United States and Mexico,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These coordinated law enforcement actions demonstrate the success our countries can have when we work together to meet that threat.”

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Nogales led the investigation in the United States, in concert with the DEA Mexico City Country Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Nogales, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Tucson. Support from DEA–Mexico City Country Office and FGR’s Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC) was critical in providing coordination between United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is prosecuting the seven individuals named above.

Foreign National Indicted for International Drug Trafficking

 

A Mexican national made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia to face international cocaine and marijuana trafficking charges.   

According to court documents, between 2000 and 2010, Eleazar Medina Rojas, aka Chelelo, 51, was a high-ranking member of the Zetas, an international drug trafficking organization allied with the Gulf Cartel. Together, the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, known collectively as “The Company,” was a violent, transnational drug trafficking organization based in Mexico that was engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and importation of ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, and elsewhere into the United States. Medina Rojas was also the “plaza boss” for the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, controlling the Zeta’s drug trafficking activities in that area.

In May 2013, a grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a fourth superseding indictment against Medina Rojas. In December 2018, Mexican authorities arrested Medina Rojas pursuant to a provisional arrest requested by the United States. Medina Rojas remained detained in Mexico pending his extradition. He was extradited from Mexico to the United States on July 6.

Medina Rojas is charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana intending and knowing that those substances would be imported into the United States.  If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. 

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram made the announcement.

The DEA Houston Division is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA Mexico City Country Office.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $5.5 Million Award to Support Addiction Outreach and Engagement Services for High-Need Populations

 

Two Initiatives Will Support Street Outreach Teams and the Delivery of Harm Reduction and Treatment Services

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $5.5 million to support addiction outreach and engagement services designed to reach underserved populations across New York State. Overseen by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, this funding, distributed through New York State's Opioid Settlement Fund, will help connect high-need individuals to a variety of services they may not have access to otherwise.

"My administration remains committed to implementing a multi-faceted strategy to address the opioid and overdose epidemic across New York," Governor Hochul said. "Through this more than $5.5 million award, we can help connect high-need individuals to the care they need to improve their health and well-being."

These services are being delivered under two models - the Clinic Model and the Street Outreach model. The Clinic Model will be delivered by an OASAS, Office of Mental Health, or Department of Health certified program, while services under the Street Outreach Model will also be delivered by harm reduction providers.

Both models support street outreach teams, who will visit areas where high-risk populations tend to congregate to offer overdose prevention education, naloxone, and other harm reduction supplies, and also work to connect individuals to treatment and other support services. The Clinic Model treatment teams will deliver clinical treatment services like medication to treat addiction, and will also include peers who will deliver harm reduction services.

Street Outreach Model

12 Providers across New York State are receiving a total of $3,584,083 through the Street Outreach initiative.

Capital District

• Rise Housing and Support Services - $312,815

Central NY

• East Hill Medical Center - $309,324
• Farnham, Inc. - $325,000
• Onondaga County Health Dept. $325,000

Long Island

• Community Action for Social Justice - $325,000
• Outreach Development Corp. - $325,000

Mid-Hudson

• Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health - $306,250

New York City

• Center for Community Alternatives - $250,000
• Federation of Organizations Queens - $250,000

Southern Tier

• Southern Tier AIDS Program - $302,000

Western NY

• Allegany Rehabilitation Associates - $243,694
• Evergreen Health - $310,000

OASAS currently funds 20 providers offering these services in New York, Bronx, Richmond, Erie, Monroe, Sullivan, Tompkins and Albany counties, bringing the total number of providers offering this model to 32.

Clinic Model

Each of the providers below, listed with the counties they will serve, is receiving up to $400,000 through this initiative.

• 820 River Street (Warren and Essex)
• Allegany Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (Allegany & Steuben)
• PROMESA (Chautauqua & Cattaraugus)
• Samadhi Center, Inc. (Delaware and Ulster)
• St. Lawrence Community Services (St. Lawrence)

OASAS currently funds 18 Outreach and Engagement Service providers to deliver the clinic model, and with this funding that number will increase to 23. From June 1st, 2022, through May 31st, 2023, these existing providers reached 7,027 unique individuals with these services.

New York State is receiving more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that were secured by Attorney General Letitia James. A portion of the funding from these settlements will go directly to municipalities, with the remainder deposited into a dedicated fund to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The same legislation that established the dedicated fund also created the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which is tasked with making recommendations on how settlement dollars should be allocated to best serve those in need. Board members issued their first recommendations on November 1, 2022, identifying the expansion of harm reduction services and treatment as top priorities.

New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the overdose epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services. The state has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication to treat addiction, and mobile treatment and transportation services.

Governor Hochul was a member of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which in 2016, recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.

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 731,000 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.

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.

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - This Week in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

During the last few weeks, we have accomplished so much. From passing the City budget for Fiscal Year 2024 and restoring funding to our libraries to meeting with our local seniors, there has been much accomplished and so much to look forward to. As your representative, I am committed and excited to continue working with the community to ensure its needs are addressed both in the short- and long-term.

In this week’s email, you will find information, regarding NYC’s Summer Meals Program, youth and community resources, upcoming events, and more. I’m also excited to share that The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), is still accepting responses to their online survey, Aging Well in The Bronx. This is a great way for NYAM and the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson to learn more about the needs of The Bronx community to support older adults and people of all ages. If you’d like to participate, scroll to ‘Health Hub.’

To contact our office for additional information or concerns, please call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Movies Under The Stars: Muppet Treasure Island

Thursday, July 13 at Orchard Beach, join Friends of Pelham Bay Park and my office for a special viewing of Muppet Treasure Island! This is a great opportunity to enjoy one of many summer nights with friends and family. We recommend arriving early to grab the perfect spot and get settled before the movie begins at dusk.

Bringing the MTA to You!

You asked, and we listened! The MTA Mobile Sales Van will be at 3033 Middletown Road from 1 PM to 3 PM on the fourth Friday of each month. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about your MetroCard, apply for a reduced fare rate, replace expired or damaged cards, and more.

City Planning Public Info Session: Economic Opportunity Initiative On Tuesday, July 11 at 7 PM, the Department of City Planning will host a public information session focused on Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity initiative. Throughout the session, you will learn about the zoning changes to elevate commercial corridors, help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive, and support New York City’s economic recovery. RSVP #SkipTheStuff - Official Notice Beginning July 31, 2023, New York City food service establishments providing take-out or delivery must comply with the following restrictions: You may not provide utensils, condiment packets, napkins, or extra plates for take-out or delivery, unless requested by the customer Your online ordering and delivery apps must be set to a default of not providing utensils, condiments, napkins, and plates, however you may provide the option to request them online if offered by the business Delivery and courier services may not provide these items unless such items are requested by the customer *These restrictions do not apply to self-serve stations inside a food service establishment* Warnings begin July 31, 2023 and fines will be issued starting July 1, 2024. Fire Safe E-Bike Trade-In The Equitable Commute Project has announced that it has opened its application for its e-bike trade-in program, which supports delivery workers looking to trade in their old bikes or scooters, as well as provides a grant for $1,500 off a UL-2849 certified e-bike, which is compliant with New York City’s new e-bike laws. Learn More   Free Summer Meals New York City’s Summer Meals Program is available to anyone ages 18 years old and under. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation,or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. This year’s program will run until Friday, September 1.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr., Community Newsletter #5

 

Dear Friends,

With the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session I would like to share all that was accomplished on your behalf in Albany. Together with my team and my partners in the Assembly Majority Conference we enacted smart policy and continue to tirelessly advocate for all New Yorkers.

I proudly voted for policies benefiting working class individuals and families, our students, seniors, small businesses and all those who keep New York moving forward. This includes:

• School Aid funding: Secured $34.5 billion in total and $24 billion in Foundation Aid vital to the educational success of our students.
• Emergency Renters Assistance Program (ERAP): $391 million to support individuals and families who live in public housing.
• Universal School Meals: All New York K-12 schools will be required to provide Universal School Meals.
• Fare Free MTA Bus Pilot Program: Consisting of ten free bus routes with two bus routes per borough.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Raise the base income threshold from $80,000 to $100,000 that will increase accessibility to higher education.
• Targeting Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries: Greater enforcement power and increased fines for selling adult-use cannabis without a license to $10,000 per day.
• Increase the Minimum Wage: $16 per hour in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island, increasing 50 cents per year until it reaches $17 in 2027.
• Two-year pilot Small Business Entrepreneurs Grant Program: Will award grants between $5,000 to $25,000 that will cover the cost of starting a new small business or support the expansion of an existing small business.

During my first legislative session:

• I was the prime sponsor of seven bills.
• I co-sponsored over ninety bills.
• One bill I introduced will provide homeless or runaway youth that receive services at an approved youth crisis services program to consent for their own medical care. This bill was signed into law in March.
• I also introduced bills to target illicit cannabis transactions at smoke shops and I will continue to vigorously advocate on behalf of my constituents to address this problem.

Co-sponsored Bills that passed the Assembly and Senate

In the People's House we work very hard to draft and pass bills that have a meaningful impact on the lives of not only our constituents but all New Yorkers. I am proud that many bills I co-sponsored this legislative session have passed both the Assembly and Senate which include:

A154A - This bill adds wage theft to the types of activities included in the crime of larceny.

A1707A - Requires certain manufacturers of prescription drugs notify the superintendent of any proposed increase of the wholesale acquisition cost of such prescription drugs.

A1029C - This bill would allow for the automatic sealing of criminal convictions pertaining to specified offenses after an individual has satisfied their sentence and the required period of time has passed, within which the individual has remained a law abiding citizen while ensuring otherwise sealed conviction information will remain accessible to law enforcement and other relevant and necessary purposes.

A6568B - Establishes the New York State organized retail crime task force to provide the governor and the legislature with information on organized retail crime and various countermeasures to counter losses from such crime in the state.

A4421 - This bill will allow taxpayers to subtract from New York adjusted gross income any federal student loan forgiveness awards.

A7768 - Declares Asian Lunar New Year a school holiday in New York State.

A7677 -- This bill would establish an Office of Community Hiring and Workforce Development for the purpose of implementing community hiring programs.

Looking Ahead to 2024

Although the 2023 legislative session is over our work continues whether in Albany or in our District. If you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss any bills please contact our Albany office at (518) 455-5844

First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party

Since taking office in January I have heard from many people  throughout the 80th Assembly District crying out for the return of  family oriented events. On Saturday, June 17th our office held the First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party, an unprecedented closure of Williamsbridge Road between Neil and Lydig Avenue for more than 2,000 people to partake in the festivities!

As the unofficial start of summer our block party brought together our community for a fantastic day filled with bouncy houses, face painters, food and drinks, music, and much more all free of cost to attendees. I was also proud to welcome representatives from many local organizations, the NYPD and the FDNY.

Our community in the Bronx is among the most vibrant, diverse and engaged throughout our City and nothing brings us together like enjoying each other's company on a sunny afternoon.

I would like to thank everyone who attended our First Annual Family Fun Day Block Party and extend my deepest appreciation to partner organizations that helped make our event an enormous success, we look forward to seeing you next year!