MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES NYC’S FIRST-EVER JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY BOARD

 

New York City Mayor Adams and New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Commissioner Jess Dannhauser today announced the launch of the city’s first-ever Juvenile Justice Advisory Board to advise and provide recommendations to the mayor, the City Council, and ACS on issues related to juvenile justice. The 20-member board — 13 of which are appointments — follow Mayor Adams’ signing of Intro. 436 in March, establishing the new advisory board and providing for annual reporting to the mayor and the City Council speaker.

 

Today’s announcement builds on the Adams administration’s work towards improving outcomes for all youth in New York City. Recently, New York City expanded the successful Fair Futures model, which provides one-on-one coaching and tutoring to those whose lives were touched by foster care from sixth grade through age 26 to include youth involved in the juvenile justice system. ACS has also made several enhancements in detention, including the creation of a new school-based team that is responsible for encouraging young people to attend school, which has significantly improved engagement and attendance across both secure facilities.

 

“Public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity, and our administration has already taken significant strides in making our city safer and more prosperous for all New Yorkers — especially our young people,” said Mayor Adams. “The city’s first-ever Juvenile Justice Advisory Board will give young people a voice in juvenile detention and let their voices be heard by their city government. These appointees bring a wealth of experience in juvenile justice, mental health, and public safety to ensure our young people have a fair shot to succeed.”

 

“We are excited to launch the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and to do so with the singular focus of supporting the city’s young people who are justice-involved,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “The board will provide guidance and recommendations for helping every young person involved in the system secure the support they need as they transition into being young adults and adults. Thank you to Nancy for helping lead this effort and to all those that will join in on this important work.”

 

“New York City is working to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for all young people.  As Mayor Adams often reminds us, when we invest in our youth, including those in the juvenile justice system, they can do anything — even lead the greatest city in the world,” said ACS Commissioner Dannhauser. “The new Juvenile Justice Advisory Board includes individuals with lived experience, as well as other experts, and I am confident that their recommendations will help further the city’s efforts to strengthen the juvenile justice system.”

 

“The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board is a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering a brighter future for our juvenile population,” said New York City Department of Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes. “Together, we are paving the way for positive change, collaboration, and innovative solutions to ensure that our young individuals have the support and resources they need to thrive. We are embarking on a transformative journey, empowering voices, embracing diversity, and nurturing a safer, more inclusive city for all.”

 

“As the agency overseeing the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Crisis Management System and working side by side with a powerful roster of youth-focused CBO partners, DYCD is proud to join our esteemed colleagues on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. “We look forward to advancing Mayor Adams’ vision and commitment to young people by recommending new, upstream solutions that support our youngest New Yorkers — especially those most at risk or already justice-involved.”

 

“We owe our young people engaged in the juvenile justice system a responsive and thoughtful plan to lift them up and guide them towards a path to lifelong success,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “The robust roster of individuals appointed to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board will represent a range of perspectives, including individuals with a background on mental health. I’m eager to witness the impact of this village of support for our young people and commend the city leaders who are prioritizing this work.”

 

“Identifying opportunities — including at the community level — to reduce youth involvement in the justice system is key to building community safety,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan. “I am grateful for Mayor Adams’ leadership in creating the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board.  I look forward to collaborating with this diverse team of interdisciplinary experts to develop recommendations for comprehensive supports that effectively serve New York City’s justice-involved youth, creating opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.”

 

“We know that to build a healthier city, we need to center the needs of our young people,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Bringing together interdisciplinary experts for the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board will help establish a foundation for the future and support the wellbeing of the city's justice-involved youth.”

 

Chaired by ACS Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Youth and Family Justice Nancy Ginsburg, the advisory board includes members with different types of expertise in the juvenile justice system, including attorneys who specialize in defending New York City youth, mental health professionals, advocates, and individuals personally impacted by the juvenile justice system.

 

“It is pivotal to empower our city’s young people to have voices in determining the policies that impact their health and well-being,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “I’m proud the council enacted legislation to create a new Juvenile Justice Advisory Board that includes input from parents and directly impacted young people, which can pave the way for a more holistic approach to youth justice. I thank Youth Services Chair Althea Stevens for her leadership on this important bill, and I look forward to their critical work.”

 

Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Appointees:

 

Nancy Ginsburg is the deputy commissioner of the division of youth and family justice at ACS, overseeing a continuum of community-based services aimed at preventing youth from entering the justice system, as well as non-secure detention, ACS’s two secure detention centers, and the Close to Home juvenile justice placement system. She previously oversaw the adolescent intervention and diversion project at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, where she worked for 30 years, and served as a member of the New York State Raise the Age Implementation Task Force, the mayor’s leadership team on school climate and discipline, the New York City School Justice Partnership Task Force, the New York City Council Gun Violence Task Force, and the Task Force on the Future of Probation in New York State. Ginsburg earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. at Albany Law School.

 

Juanita Holmes is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation. She previously served in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as chief of training, chief of patrol, and chief of collaborative policing, after having overseen the NYPD’s school safety division and domestic violence unit. In the NYPD, Holmes created the highly successful “Girl Talk” mentorship program, where NYPD officers serve as surrogate families to at-risk young women and girls. She also founded the NYPD’s Blue Chips program, which utilizes mentorship, personal enrichment, and sports to help bridge the gap between the police and youth. Holmes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Joseph’s College and graduated from the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

 

Karina Christiansen PhD is the deputy executive director of Office of Neighborhood Safety at DYCD. Karina has been working in New York City government since 2017, starting at the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, where she focused on gun violence prevention policy and co-developed the Atlas Initiative. The mission of Atlas is to improve public safety and to enhance the capacity of community-based organizations to serve people at the highest risk of violence. As the deputy executive director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety at DYCD, she supports the development and implementation of community-based public safety and quality of life initiatives centered around community leadership, healing, and trust. She has a Ph.D. in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

 

Deanna Logan serves as the director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, previously serving as general counsel and deputy director of crime strategies, where she coordinated multiagency efforts with the courts to meet the requirements of the city’s Criminal Justice Reform Act. She has worked with Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark to create and oversee the Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau, with the New York City Department of Correction to reform and strengthen internal discipline at the jails on Rikers Island, and in the Office of the New York County District Attorney on felony cases involving narcotics violations, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and child abuse. Logan received a B.A. in political science from Boston University and her J.D. at New York University School of Law.

 

Kristila Brace currently serves as co-acting assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Health Promotion of Justice-Impacted Population at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The bureau aims to reduce the negative social and health consequences of criminal legal system involvement through innovative policy and practice change. Previously, Dr. Brace served as regional director of mental health, executive director of the crisis prevention and intervention unit at DOHMH, director of crisis assistance, and training/director of the health engagement and assessment program at DOHMH. She has also worked as a behavioral intervention specialist for the New York Foundling’s Developmental Disability Division and was the director of the Bronx Community Reentry Center (Federal Halfway House). Dr. Brace earned her B.A. and M.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Brace received a doctorate in clinical forensic psychology from the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University.

 

Sandeep Kandhari has served as the litigation supervisor of the Center for Family Representation’s youth defense practice since 2019. He previously served in various roles with The Legal Aid Society, where he litigated juvenile delinquency cases from pre-petition hearing to post-dispositional hearings. Kandhari received a B.A. from the New York University Stern School of Business and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

 

Deborah Rush is an attorney with the Bronx adolescent, intervention, and diversion practice of The Legal Aid Society. Having served in this role since 2004, she represents adolescents prosecuted in the Bronx Supreme Court. Rush received a B.A. from Colgate University and a J.D. from Rutgers University Camden School of Law.

 

Elisabeth Bernard is a staff attorney with the school justice project of Advocates for Children of New York, having previously been an agency attorney with ACS and a youth and community programs coordinator with the Center for Court Innovation. Bernard received a B.A. in criminology from Long Island University, an M.A. in youth studies from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies, and a J.D. from CUNY Law School.

 

Dr. Akeem Marsh is a child and adolescent psychiatrist serving as assistant medical director for New York Foundling’s Home for Integrated Behavioral Health. He previously served at Bellevue/NYU Occupational Environmental Medicine Clinic, working closely with ACS’ secure detention centers, and recently co-edited a book, “Not Just Bad Kids: The Adversity and Disruptive Behavior Link,” which aims to provide child welfare professionals with tools that can be applied to their clinical work. Dr. Marsh received his B.D. from the CUNY School of Medicine at the City College of New York and a M.D. from SUNY Health Science Center at Downstate College of Medicine.

 

Jayne Bigelsen has served since 2019 as vice president of advocacy and legal and previously as director of anti-human trafficking initiatives for Covenant House of New York, an organization that provides immediate needs for youth experiencing homelessness or sexual exploitation, including housing. She received a B.A. in psychology from Brandeis University, a master’s degree in applied developmental psychology from Fordham University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

 

Alex Griffith serves as director of court partnerships and strategy for Exalt, an organization that supports youth ages 15-19 who have been involved in the criminal justice system with skill development, navigation of the education and justice systems, paid internship placements, and resources to avoid further justice system involvement. He received a B.A. from John Jay College and completed Columbia Business School’s executive education nonprofit leadership program.

 

Rev. Wendy Calderón serves as the executive director of the Urban Youth Alliance International, a faith and community-based organization that services youth and their communities. She received a B.A. from Brown University and is currently completing an M.P.H. degree program through the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Burn Down a Church that Planned to Host Drag Show Events

 

An Ohio man pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and to using fire and explosives to commit a felony, all in connection with his attempt to burn down a church because of the church’s support for the LGBTQI+ community.

According to court documents, on March 25, Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.

Penny was arrested and charged earlier this year with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device. 

“Attempting to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland for their support of the LGBTQI+ community is reprehensible,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “There is no room in this country for such bias-motivated violence and terror, and the Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans in their free exercise of religious beliefs by vigorously prosecuting those who target houses of worship. Our churches should be safe havens for all people, not sites subjected to violence motivated by hate and vitriol.”

“Mr. Penny admitted to attempting to burn down a church because he did not like the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Such acts of extremist violence are antithetical to core American values of freedom of expression and worship and we will not tolerate those who would use force to deny our citizens the free exercise of their rights.”

“By pleading guilty, Aimenn Penny has admitted that he attempted to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland because he disagreed with a planned LGBTQI+ event,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Violence is never appropriate to settle differences in beliefs. All members of our community are entitled to peacefully assemble, worship, and express themselves freely, without fear of violence or intimidation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will aggressively prosecute criminals who threaten that right.”

“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force worked in tandem with our local law enforcement and community partners to identify and bring federal charges against a hate-fueled individual, motivated to violence by his extremist ideology,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “He committed these despicable acts in an effort to terrorize and intimidate a religious institution’s free expression, and he should face accountability for these crimes.”

Penny faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act and a 10-year mandatory prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed for using fire to commit a federal felony. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024.

The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case.

Attorney General James and Multistate Coalition Sue Meta for Harming Youth

Lawsuit Follows Legislation Proposed by AG James to Address Social Media’s Impact on Youth Mental Health

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 32 attorneys general today filed a federal lawsuit against Meta for harming young people’s mental health and contributing to the youth mental health crisis. The lawsuit alleges that the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram, Facebook, and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit also charges that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without informing parents or obtaining parental consent, in violation of federal law. In coordination with Attorney General James and the coalition of 32 attorneys general, nine additional attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of attorneys general taking action against Meta to 42. Today’s lawsuit follows the recent announcement of state-level legislation proposed by Attorney General James and colleagues to protect children online.

“Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta are to blame,” said Attorney General James. “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem. Social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis and they must be held accountable. I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general to stop Meta’s harmful tactics and keep children safe online.”

The lawsuit alleges that Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, exploited young users for profit by designing its business models to maximize young users’ time and attention and deploying harmful and manipulative features that harm young users. Meta designed features on its platforms that it knew would harp on young users’ vulnerabilities. These features include:

• Algorithms that are designed to recommend content to keep users on the platform longer and encourage compulsive use;
• “Likes” and social comparison features known by Meta to harm young users;
• Incessant alerts meant to induce young users to return to Meta’s platforms constantly, even while at school and throughout the night;
• Visual filter features known to promote young users’ body dysmorphia; and
• Content-presentation formats, such as “infinite scroll,” designed to discourage young users’ attempts to self-regulate and disengage with Meta’s products.

While refining these manipulative features and marketing them to young users, Meta deceptively claimed that its features were not manipulative and that its platforms were safe. In addition, Meta routinely published profoundly misleading public reports that purported to show impressively low rates of negative and harmful experiences by users of its platforms.

Several studies, including Meta’s very own research, show that there are links between young people’s use of Meta’s platforms and psychological and physical harms, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and many other negative outcomes. While Meta has publicly denied and downplayed these harmful effects, it cannot credibly plead ignorance. Meta’s own internal research documents show its awareness that its products harm young users. Indeed, internal studies that Meta commissioned — and kept private until they were leaked by a whistleblower and publicly reported — reveal that Meta has known for years about these serious harms associated with young users’ time spent on its platforms.

The lawsuit also alleges that Meta violated its obligations under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by unlawfully collecting the personal data of its youngest users without parents’ consent. Meta has marketed its platforms to children under the age of 13 and acquired actual knowledge that those children use its social media products, but Meta has refused to obtain parental consent prior to collecting and monetizing their children’s personal data. In addition, Meta publicly denies what is privately discussed as an open secret within the company, that very young children are a known part of Meta’s user base and business model, and that Meta refuses to limit its collection and use of those children’s sensitive data as required by law.

Through this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the bipartisan coalition seek to stop Meta from continuing to deploy these harmful tactics, as well as penalties and restitution.

Joining Attorney General James in filing the federal lawsuit against Meta are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Filing lawsuits in their own state courts are the attorneys general of Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

Today’s lawsuit is Attorney General James’ latest effort to hold social media companies accountable and protect children online. Earlier this month, Attorney General James, Governor Hochul, State Senator Gounardes, and Assemblymember Rozic announced legislation to help keep children safe online and prevent dangerous health consequences of addictive social media platforms.

KRVC - Coming Up: Poetry at 505BX / Boo! on Mosholu / Our Annual Halloween Party

 

This Thursday, October 26th

7:00 pm

at 505BX

505 West 236th Street, Bronx

We are thrilled to have an incredible group of writers sharing their work including:

Kay Bell, the 2023-2025 Bronx Poet Laureate 

Brian Higgins, a member of the Kappock Street Poets

Greg McDonald, winner of the Discovery/ The Nation poetry contest

Stephanie Pacheco, the 2023 New York City Youth Poet Laureate and the Inaugural New York State Youth Poet Laureate

Don't Miss



October 28th

Halloween fun on Mosholu Avenue

October 31st

Our annual Halloween party at 505BX

Governor Hochul Extends Executive Order Declaring State of Emergency for Asylum Seeker Crisis

Governor Kathy Hochul today extended an Executive Order which provides the State with greater flexibility to procure the resources necessary for municipalities to support asylum seekers and provide them with humanitarian aid. This Executive Order comes as Governor Hochul continues working to address the asylum seeker crisis, which includes the Governor’s ongoing conversations with the White House urging federal action to support New York.

“While New York continues to respond to the asylum seeker crisis, I’m extending our State of Emergency to ensure communities have the resources needed to support our ongoing efforts,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration remains committed to ensuring state and local officials have all of the support they need to address this unprecedented humanitarian crisis."

Executive Order 28.6 continues to allow the State and localities to quickly respond to the arrival of asylum seekers. It continues to allow New York State to mobilize members of the National Guard, who currently provide logistical and operational support at shelter sites. It will also allow the State and localities to quickly purchase necessary supplies and resources, including food and equipment. The Executive Order is necessary for New York State’s continued response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis and provides the State with the ability for a more robust response.

Responding to New York’s Asylum Seeker Crisis

Governor Hochul has identified work authorization as the path out of this crisis, allowing migrants and asylum seekers to leave taxpayer-funded shelters and begin living independently as generations of immigrants have done. After months of advocacy from Governor Hochul and a broad coalition of political, civic and business leaders, the White House announced plans to grant Temporary Protected Status to individuals who arrive in the United States from Venezuela on or before July 31, 2023; the City of New York estimates this will allow more than 15,000 Venezuelan individuals to attain legal work status within 30 days.

Earlier this month, the Governor announced the State has identified more than 18,000 job openings with nearly 400 employers who are willing to hire migrants and asylum seekers who have attained legal work status in the United States. Governor Hochul continues to have conversations with the White House to call on the federal government to provide additional personnel as well as more funding to help New York cover the costs of this crisis.

Additionally, the Governor has surged personnel and resources to case management, to help migrants and asylum seekers fill out the necessary paperwork to attain legal work status. This includes deploying 250 National Guard personnel assigned to full-time case management services, part of a deployment of more than 2,100 National Guard personnel to address this ongoing situation. The Governor has also deployed significant financial resources to support case management, including $20 million allocated to local nonprofits serving asylum seekers and migrants; $20 million to help New York City with a casework surge through NYC Health + Hospitals; $10 million for migrant legal services.

Governor Hochul has led a robust state response to this crisis. Overall, the State has committed $1.7 billion to support asylum seekers and migrants, including for shelter, transportation and social services; the State recently advanced $250 million to the City for these purposes. The State has also offered up multiple State-owned sites, such as the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan and Building 197 at JFK Airport, to be used as shelters; the State is also covering the cost of multiple Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs) at Creedmoor Psychiatric Facility and on Randall's Island.

 

Former Executive Convicted At Trial Of Mail Fraud And Money Laundering

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that on October 20, 2023, a federal jury found SHAWN RAINS guilty of three counts — conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering — in connection with a scheme to steal over $4 million from a White Plains company where he was formerly a high-ranking executive.  The defendant was found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 31, 2024, before Judge Román. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Shawn Rains, a former executive at a White Plains healthcare claims processing company, betrayed the trust of his employer by stealing millions of dollars.  Rains was the ringleader of a scheme in which he and his co-conspirators created fake vendors, submitted fake invoices, charged their company for work that was never done, and then disguised the proceeds of the fraud.  A federal jury has now convicted Rains of fraud and money laundering.  This verdict should remind those in positions of trust that if you engage in fraud, we will catch you and hold you accountable.” 

According to the Indictment, statements made in public court proceedings and filings, and the evidence at trial:

SHAWN RAINS was an executive at OrthoNet, a healthcare claims processing company based in White Plains, New York.  Between approximately 2009 and 2017, RAINS and JOSEPH MAHARAJ, another OrthoNet executive, designed and executed a scheme to defraud OrthoNet of over $4 million and to launder the fraud proceeds.  RAINS conspired with MAHARAJ and others to create fake vendors that purported to do work on behalf of OrthoNet.  RAINS, MAHARAJ, and their co-conspirators then signed invoices approving payment for the fake work, and OrthoNet sent payments to the fake vendors.  RAINS, MAHARAJ, and their co-conspirators then converted the money to cash to hide the source of the fraud proceeds and split it up amongst themselves.

On March 22, 2023, MAHARAJ pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.  He is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Román on December 4, 2023.

RAINS, 57, of Le Bouscat, France, was convicted of (i) one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison; (ii) one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison; and (iii) one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. 

MAHARAJ, 42, of Goldens Bridge, New York, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by Judge Román. 

Mr. Williams thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their outstanding work on the investigation.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES MILESTONE OF 5,000 NEW NURSES TRAINED BY CITYWIDE NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

 

Nation’s First City-Led Nurse Residency Program Has Supported Staffing Needs at Over 28 New York City Health Care Facilities, Including 18 H+H Campuses

 

Nurse Retention Over 96 Percent at Participating H+H Campuses,

Surpassing National Average and Saving Hospitals Millions of Dollars

                                                         

First Stop on Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Tour,” After City Set All-Time Total Jobs Record and Recovered All of Nearly 1 Million Jobs Lost During Pandemic

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today celebrated a major milestone of 5,000 new registered nurses (RNs) trained through the Citywide Nurse Residency Program since its launch in 2019, putting thousands of New Yorkers on the path to fulfilling, family-sustaining careers. As the nation’s first city-led nurse residency consortium, the program offers on-the-job training and other supports to recently graduated, newly hired RNs. It has been implemented at over 28 health care facilities across the city and supported hospitals in training and retaining nurses — saving them millions of dollars — while also helping new nurses succeed in their early careers. The program has helped average nurse retention exceed 96 percent year to date at particpating NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) campuses, far surpassing the national average of 84 percent.

 

This milestone marks the first stop on Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Tour,” continuing to create jobs and power New York City’s economic recovery after the city set an all-time record with 4.7 million total jobs, recovering all of the nearly 1 million jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program’s success also delivers on a delivering on a major health care component of Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” to support 30,000 current and aspiring nurses over the next five years as they enter the nursing workforce, stay in the profession, and climb the career ladder.

 

“As we continue to grapple with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re doing everything we can to bolster our health care system, and that starts with supporting the backbone of the industry: our nurses,” said Mayor Adams. “By providing hospitals with the resources they need to train and retain their nursing staff, our Citywide Nurse Residency Program has allowed us to make significant strides in improving health care for New Yorkers and making New York City work for working people. As we saw in 2020, nurses are essential to keeping New Yorkers healthy, and our investment to help nurses go from the classrooms to a hospital room will help keep New Yorkers healthy and prepared for the future.”

 

“Nurses are often the first people you see and one of the last with whom you interact when visiting the hospital or an outpatient setting,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This residency program provides an important structure to support, attract, and retain the city’s nurses. Thank you to all our partners inside and outside government that make this work possible, and thank you to New York City’s nurses for supporting your fellow New Yorkers each and every day.”

 

“Nurses are the lifeblood of our hospital system. They helped restore and keep many more New Yorkers healthy and safe during one of the most perilous moments in our city’s history,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “As we celebrate recovering all jobs lost to the pandemic, there is no time more important to double down on our investments in the city’s human capital. The Citywide Nurse Residency program demonstrates the Adams administration’s commitment to this investment and to connecting New Yorkers to family-sustaining careers. I am honored to congratulate the 5,000-plus participants of the Citywide Nurse Residency program on a job well done.”

 

“In recent years, we have witnessed the extraordinary resilience of New York City nurses and the absolutely critical role they play in the well-being of New Yorkers and our city. The Citywide Nurse Residency Program not only values our nurses’ grit and tenacity, but also ensures supporting working nurses and their seamless transition from years of training into the workplace,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. “Today’s milestone marking over 5,000 nurse residents to date shows how invested the city and this administration are in the health of New Yorkers, supporting our nurses and essential workers, and strengthening our city’s economy.”

 

First-year retention of newly graduated nurses has been a historical challenge for health care systems across the country — only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic — and residencies are a recognized best practice for improving nurse retention. Over 1,700 nurses in the 18 participating H+H campuses have completed the program since its launch, and the retention rate for nurses at these locations has increased by over 40 percent and surpassed the national average year to date. By reducing turnover rates and decreasing the costs associated with hiring and training new nurses, the program has saved private and public hospitals tens of millions of dollars.

 

An initiative of the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare and the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, and offered in partnership with the Greater New York Hospital Association, the Citywide Nurse Residency Program is proven to increase worker confidence, professional satisfaction, and retention. Stable, well-trained nursing professionals  contribute to better patient care and reduce hospitals’ costs associated with recruitment, particularly in a time of acute nursing shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The program is designed to last one year, consisting of monthly seminars and reflection time for a small cohort of first-time nurses from the same hospital — translating to better professional and emotional outcomes. The program also includes structured flexibility for hospitals to reinforce new nurses’ academic training and to customize training to a facility’s unique operational and cultural needs.

 

“The visionary Citywide Nurse Residency Program supported by the Adams administration and implemented by NYC Health + Hospitals has had an immense and immediate impact on nurse recruitment and retention, while at the same time saving our health system more than $42 million in recruitment cost avoidance,” said Natalia Cineas, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Nursing is one of the most rewarding and satisfying of all professions, but we recognize that it also can be demanding and stressful for those just emerging from nursing school. Nurse residency programs are a nationally recognized best practice for retaining nurses, and our pioneering program provides the mentorship and professional practice training that newly graduated nurses need to be able to confidently and competently be responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of our patients.”

 

“Through thick and thin, New York City depends on our almost 80,000 registered nurses and hundreds of thousands of other health care professionals who show up for their patients every single day,” said Daniel Liss, senior advisor, Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, Industry Partnerships; and executive director, New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare. “We are incredibly proud of the early career nurses who participate in this program and the health care leaders across the city who make it a success — as the impact they make on our communities is immense. The Adams administration has made it a clear priority to invest in our city’s health care sector and its workforce, and the Citywide Nurse Residency Program is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to magnify our positive impact.”

 

“Health care is one of the largest industries in New York and the retention of newly graduated nurses is critical to meeting employer demand,” said Kiersten Barnet, executive director, New York Jobs CEO Council. “The residencies offered by this program help nurses successfully transition into good jobs and employers attract and retain the talent they need. The Jobs Council looks forward to continuing to partner with the Mayor’s Office, Greater New York Hospital Assocation, and New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare to bring more programs like this to life.”           

 

“The Citywide Nurse Residency Program exemplifies our city's unwavering dedication to supporting our health care workforce and improving patient care for every New Yorker,” said Wilhelmina Manzano, MA, RN, NEA-BC, group senior vice president and chief nursing executive, NewYork-Presbyterian. “We are proud to collaborate with this outstanding program and support new graduate nurses as they develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”

 

“We are honored to celebrate with the New York City Mayor’s Office and the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare to recognize 5,000 nurses who completed the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™. Recognizing the unwavering commitment and ongoing pursuit of knowledge by these vital health care professionals is a noteworthy accomplishment, celebrating their dedication to delivering optimal patient care,” said Evy Olson, MSN, MBA, RN, vice president, Nursing Programs at Vizient. “Nurse residency programs are critical in helping newly licensed nurses transition into practice effectively, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the community, the health care organization, and the patients under their care.”

Jerome-Gun Hill BID Street Festival

 

Saturday was the Annual Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District Street Festival, and while the rain kept some of the vendors away, once the rain was finished the people came out to see what was going on. The BID  event went up Jerome Avenue from Mosholu Parkway North to Gun Hill Road running from 1 PM until 5 PM. 

The BID gave out one hundred pumpkins for Halloween, had various entertainment at the Gun Hill Road intersection where there was a stage set up. Vendors were set up in the street and you could see the empty spaces of those vendors who skipped the event fearing the rain would be an all day event. The crowd didn't come out until close to Three PM. Mr. Malcolm Gray of the Mosholu Preservation Corporation who is in charge of the BID called the event a success. One thing that could be noticed were the large empty stores which Mr. Gray said that the rents are high on his part of Jerome Avenue. 

Above and below Just two examples of the entertainment at the Gun Hill Road part of Jerome Avenue.

One of the biggest attractions was the face painter on Jerome Avenue.

There was a balloon game with prizes.

You can see the gap between these two vendors of other vendors who skipped the event due to the forecast of rain. The street is wet from the rain that had just ended.

Among the stores on the avenue there were these two large empty stores, one of which could make a perfect legal Cannabis Dispensary.

Mr. Malcolm Gray in his BID jacket and cap talking to a Santa Claus candidate for the BID's Christmas event.