VCJC News & Notes 11/21/2025

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Note

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

1. Shabbos schedule
   
   
   Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
   Here are the times you need:  
   Shabbos Candles Friday 11/21/25 @ 4:15 pm  (Yes, we are back on standard time!)
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 11/22/25 @ 5:18 pm

   If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.

   Benzi Panush will sponsor a kiddush in honor this week’s congregant’s birthdays. Join us for the services and the kiddush.
   

2. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Toldot 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת תּוֹלְדוֹת

   22 November 2025 / 2 Kislev 5786

   Parashat Toldot is the 6th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

   Toldot (“Generations”) opens with the births of Isaac and Rebecca’s twins, Jacob and Esau. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob in exchange for soup. Isaac and Rebecca travel to Gerar, where Isaac makes a peace treaty with King Abimelech. Isaac gives Jacob the blessing meant for Esau, and Jacob runs away to his uncle Laban. [1]

3. Upcoming Virtual Tour of Judaica at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!

4. [This is from a post to the Riverdale Shuls group.]

   Let’s connect with our heritage and each other through beautiful and meaningful symbols of Jewish culture in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

   
   

   This virtual tour will include works featured on our in-person tour, along with rare treasures from the Judaica collection that are not currently on display.

   
   

   Feel uplifted and strengthened as we celebrate our enduring resilience, devotion to Judaism, and the vibrant customs that have enriched Jewish life throughout time.

   Two times available:

   
   

   Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 pm EST

   
   

   Friday, November 21, 11:15 am EST

   
   
   Register at:

   https://forms.gle/YHN3kWo78h9fpVUp7

   Lauren R. Perlman, M.S. Ed

   Founder/Director, Mummies and Masterpieces  
   w (224) 707-0067

   c (847) 220-0325

   lauren.perlman@mummiesandmasterpieces.com

   www.mummiesandmasterpieces.com

   Alternate email mummiesmasterpiece@me.com

   
   

5. Please help with information about buildings

   As part of rebuilding the membership and congregation, the Board of Trustees would like your help. There are a lot of either new or renovated buildings being put up in our catchment area. We would like to seek the cooperation of the owners / developers of those properties in publicizing these opportunities to live near an orthodox synagogue.  If you are aware of any of these buildings, please provide what information you can about them.  This could include the address, any contact information that might be posted, and any information about the building itself (size, type, etc.). Additionally, if you are aware of vacancies in existing buildings or of houses for sale, please let us know about that as well.

   
   

6. An Appeal from the Met Council for SNAP help

   
   

   See the VCJC blog post from the Met Council’s announcement.

   
   

7. Thanksgiving 11/27

   The office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. Happy Holiday!

   
   

Our mailing address is:
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463 

ICE Deports MS-13 Terrorist Gang Leader Wanted for Murder in El Salvador

Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the days of the world’s criminals gaming the system to remain in our country are over  

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston deported a criminal illegal El Salvadoran MS-13 terrorist gang leader and wanted murderer from the United States on November 3 and turned him over to Salvadoran authorities. ICE originally made the arrest in February 2024, but the Biden administration allowed the criminal to try and game our immigration system by claiming fear of returning to El Salvador where he had an outstanding warrant for murder.

Wilmer Alexy Garcia-Manzanarez also committed several heinous crimes in the United States, including burglary, menacing/intimidation with a weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol, property damage, and driving without a license.

“The Biden administration let this MS-13 gang member and wanted murderer claim fear of returning to El Salvador despite having a final order of removal and three prior deportations. Of course a wanted murdered does not want to return to his country to face justice for his crimes,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, this criminal illegal alien is OUT of our country. The days of the world’s criminals indefinitely remaining in our country over.” 

The removal of Garcia-Manzanarez comes shortly after DHS launched Operation Patriot and Operation Patriot 2.0 in Massachusetts, a sanctuary state. The worst of the worst arrested during these operations include rapists, murderers, kidnappers, and other terrorist gang members. Shockingly, many of these dangerous criminals were released by local authorities thanks to absurd sanctuary policies.

U.S. Border Patrol arrested Garcia-Manzanarez after he illegally entered the United States through the Canadian border March 6, 2001 and was released into the country. On March 18, 2002, an immigration judge ordered Garcia-Manzanarez removed from the United States to El Salvador.

Between January 2007 and October 2012, ICE officers removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the United States to El Salvador three times. He chose to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the United States a fourth time.

Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Garcia-Manzanarez' arrest. In January 2020, Interpol issued a public Red Notice for the apprehension of Garcia-Manzanarez. Officers from ICE Boston arrested Garcia-Manzanarez in Foxboro, Massachusetts on February 18, 2024.

Fentanyl Distributor Connected to 2 Overdose Deaths Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison

 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAQWON GRAHAM, also known as “Seagull” and “Energy,” 31, of Ansonia, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 130 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for a fentanyl trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Graham as a large-scale fentanyl distributor in and around Fairfield County.  Investigators also connected Graham’s drug trafficking activities to an overdose death of a male victim in Branford in March 2023, and an overdose death of a female victim in Shelton in October 2024.  In January and February 2025, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl mixed with xylazine from Graham.

Graham was arrested on February 26, 2025, in Stamford after investigators coordinated a purchase of a large quantity of fentanyl and found him in possession of approximately 400 grams of the drug.  A subsequent search of his person revealed additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Graham has been detained since his arrest.  On July 23, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Cold Case Murder

 

Trendell Walker Sentenced for Killing a 15-Year-Old Victim During a Gang-Related Drive-by Shooting in 2007

At the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Trendell Walker, also known as “Live Wire” and “Debo,” a Bloods street gang member from Riverhead, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to 30 years in prison for his role as a shooter in the August 7, 2007 murder of 15-year old Alvin Brothers.  Walker pleaded guilty to firearm-related murder in August 2019.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.

“Walker’s lethal act of revenge took the life of a 15-year-old child,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The resolve of law enforcement to bring Alvin Brothers’s killer to justice will, we hope, bring some semblance of closure to the victim’s parents and siblings. Gang members cannot escape the reality of today’s sentencing that no matter how long it takes, they will be held accountable for crimes of violence and the rule of law will prevail.”  

“In 2007, Trendell Walker mercilessly killed Alvin Brothers in retaliation for a previous slight against his branch of the Bloods gang,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “This horrific act demonstrates the gang’s callous attitude towards humanity and the law by deeming murder as acceptable payback. May today’s sentencing offer some justice for Brothers’s family, and emphasize the FBI’s unwavering commitment to holding all gang members accountable for their lawless crimes, regardless of when they occurred.”

“Trendell Walker’s sentencing ensures the removal of another cold-blooded killer from the streets of Long Island. With the continued investigative work of HSI New York’s Long Island office, alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to combat these senseless acts of violence here on the island and throughout the state. The people of New York deserve to feel safe in their own communities, and today’s sentencing is a step toward securing that reality,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel.

“The murder of this 15-year-old is a sad example of the senseless retaliation that comes from the vicious cycle of gang violence,” SCPD Commissioner Catalina stated.  “This case also highlights the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to bring a killer to justice. A decade after Alvin Brothers was slain in a drive-by shooting, Trendell Walker was charged and today he learned his fate, sending a message to those who choose a life of crime that we will never give up.”

According to court filings, in 2007, Walker was a member of the Rolling 20’s gang, a branch of the Bloods criminal street gang.  On August 6, 2007, Walker went to Bellport, New York, to purchase narcotics from G-Shine gang members, a different set of the Bloods.  Several G-Shine gang members attacked Walker, attempted to rob him and pistol-whipped him.  The next day, Walker met with fellow Rolling 20’s gang members and devised a plan to retaliate against his assailants.  They drove to Bellport, armed with firearms, where they observed several young people, including Brothers, standing on the corner of Post Avenue and Patchogue Avenue. Brothers was standing near one of the individuals who had assaulted Walker the previous day.  The defendant and other Rolling 20’s members opened fire on the group.  Brothers was fatally shot in the back. Walker was indicted on drug charges in June 2016; in November 2017, he was charged in a second superseding indictment with Brothers’s murder, more than a decade after the killing.

Mississippi Businessman Pleads Guilty to $19M Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

A Mississippi businessman pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare by paying kickbacks for fraudulent doctors’ orders and then using those orders to bill the government insurer over $19 million through seven different durable medical equipment (DME) supply companies.

According to court documents, Willie De Gibbs, 53, of Toomsuba, Mississippi, and Cutler Bay, Florida, was the sole owner of three DME supply companies and was the beneficial owner of and controlled, sometimes through straw owners, four other DME supply companies. He sought to defraud Medicare by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary orthotic braces for beneficiaries that did not request or need them.

Gibbs pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 25, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi; Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Sara E. Porter of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

NYC Comptroller Lander Announces Nearly $32B in Pension Investments Allocated to Diverse and Emerging Asset Managers

 

$26.5b alone allocated to minority- and women-owned asset managers, an increase of nearly $10b since Fiscal Year 2022, advancing equity and inclusion across the five funds’ investment portfolios

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the Fiscal Year 2025 report of pension investments and commitments with minority- and women-owned asset management firms. Over the course of FY25, investments reached an historic $26.5 billion, rising more than $3 billion since the end of FY24 and nearly $10 billion from the $16.82 billion in investments and commitments at the beginning of Comptroller Lander’s tenure.

“Expanding access to investment opportunities with the New York City retirement systems consistent with our fiduciary duty has been an essential tool in our efforts to secure long-term risk-adjusted returns,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Year-after-year our data affirms that MWBE asset managers have been some of the strongest performers throughout our portfolios and that deepening partnerships with diverse-owned asset managers who are all too often left out of the conversation must remain a strategic imperative. I am proud of what we have accomplished, led by the indomitable Taffi Ayodele, and the meaningful gains we have secured for our pension beneficiaries while moving the equity needle forward.”

This announcement reflects continued progress on the Comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management’s efforts to increase transparency on pension fund investments and advance equity and inclusion across the funds’ portfolios consistent with the fiduciary duty to achieve strong risk-adjusted returns. This is the fourth public reporting of these investments. In 2022, Comptroller Lander launched this transparency tool with the belief that you cannot manage what you can’t measure.

“For decades, research has highlighted the glaring equity gaps across the asset management industry, and the barriers to accessing capital for small and diverse-owned investment firms. There is no doubt that when opportunities for a wider pool of talent are provided, asset owners and allocators benefit from better decision-making, more diversity of thought and perspective, and creative approaches to securing returns for beneficiaries. Our growing ecosystem of MWBE asset managers coupled with robust investment returns are a testament to that and we have no intention of slowing down these efforts,” said Head of Diverse and Emerging Manager Strategy Taffi Ayodele.

“The increase in allocations to top-performing diverse-owned and emerging asset managers reflects the shared commitment between Comptroller Lander, the Bureau of Asset Management and the New York City retirement systems to strengthen our investment performance in part by strengthening the pool of talent we work with,” said Valerie Red-Horse Mohl, Deputy Chief Investment Officer for Responsible Investing. “It has been proven time and time again that diversity is a business advantage – not a hindrance. I am encouraged by the returns we see from these managers and we remain focused on fostering additional pathways to reach our near-term aspirational goals and set best practice standards.”

In 2023, following an analysis of the performance of the funds’ existing emerging and diverse managers which showed that investment firms owned by people of color and women remain among the pension funds’ best performing managers, Comptroller Lander announced critical changes to the program consistent with fiduciary duty. As a result, the Comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management anticipated reaching 20% of investments with MWBE managers by 2029, and 15% by 2025. MWBE asset managers now manage 14.6% of the five pension funds’ actively-managed US assets, just shy of that goal.

In addition to investments with MWBE asset managers, the funds also expanded investments with smaller Emerging Managers to $13.02 billion, an increase from $10.36 billion in FY24.

Other investment highlights from the report include:

• More than a quarter of the investments across the funds’ public equity (27.37%), private equity (27.41%), infrastructure (28.76%) and hedge funds (66.91%) asset classes are managed by MWBE firms.
• Exposure to MWBE firms has increased in nearly every asset class, with the largest increase of nearly $2 billion in public equity following strong market performance.
• The funds have doubled their allocations to women of color in FY25, demonstrating clear progress in efforts to close one of the asset management industry’s most evident equity gaps.
• In Private Markets, MWBE firms in the Systems’ portfolio continue to outperform their respective benchmarks, with an average PME Spread of 7%—an increase from the ~5% average reported over the past two fiscal years.

The report also includes an accounting of the work of the Comptroller’s Bureau of Public Finance in their management of New York City’s debt issuance. For more than three decades the City has promoted MWBE participation in bond transactions. In one sign of meaningful progress, fees paid to MWBE firms in the City’s GO and TFA underwriting syndicate and selling group have increased nearly $19 million between FY22 and FY25.

The robust diverse and emerging manager program is a central part of the Comptroller’s Office’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program and efforts to evaluate how investment managers are seeking the best talent available and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations and the investments they manage on behalf of the Systems and to encourage them to address the business case for DEI and the systemic risks of socioeconomic inequality. This evaluation is integrated into the full investment due diligence process conducted by the Comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management, in line with fiduciary duty.

To read the full report, visit https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/mwbe-and-emerging-manager-pension-investments.

BUYER BEWARE ALERT: NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUES WARNING TO SHOPPERS OPTING FOR BUY NOW, PAY LATER FINANCING AHEAD OF BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

 

Growing Buy Now, Pay Later Trend Can Lead to More than Shoppers Bargained, with a Considerable Risk for Unintended Debt Accumulation

Secretary Mosley said: “Don’t get caught in the revolving door of debt this holiday season. Buy Now, Pay Later is becoming more and more common online and consumers are using a variety of payment methods that can make buying easy, but before they know it, the debt is growing and hurting their financial health.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection shared tips to help New Yorkers navigate Buy Now, Pay Later financing during the holiday season. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has grown in popularity in recent years as a financial tool. BNPL is a payment option that allows consumers to make purchases and defer payments over time, typically in installments, rather than paying the full amount up front. Today, consumers are financing electronics, furniture, travel, clothing, and even their groceries, lunch, or takeout dinners through BNPL, and many are falling behind on their payments.

“Don’t get caught in the revolving door of debt this holiday season. Buy Now, Pay Later is becoming more and more common online, and consumers are using a variety of payment methods that can make buying easy— but before they know it, the debt is growing and hurting their financial health,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The Division of Consumer Protection has important information and tips for those using this payment method to avoid falling in financial traps that some of these exploitative practices can bring.” 

While BNPL offers convenience, it carries significant risks including debt accumulation, encouragement of impulsive purchasing, and promotion of overspending. That is why it’s important to use BNPL responsibly and avoid potential pitfalls. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BNPL FINANCING:

BNPL can lead to overspending and impulse purchases: BNPL services have been marketed as a convenient way to shop by breaking up payments for a purchased item, instead of paying up front in full. They are typically interest free if paid within the specified time frame. However, despite the positive marketing and convenience, this is still debt. A recent article from the Journal of Retailing stated that BNPL increases spending – consumers spend more using these services when compared to credit card use. When offered easy access to credit, debt often piles up and defaults begin to rise.

BNPL appeals to Young Adults: The use of BNPL is trending higher than ever, with younger consumers having the highest usage rate. BNPL loans can be useful in times of necessity as long as payments are made on time and completed within the specified interest-free time period. General convenience is the top reason cited for using these services, but it is important to remember that while timely payments on short-term loans are interest-free, BNPL can build a habit of overspending with money you don’t have. Additionally, long-term installment plans often come with high interest rates ranging from 10-30%.

Consumers can stack loans across multiple platforms and accumulate debt: A study from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revealed that that over 60% of consumers using these services have multiple loans. There’s been a shift among consumers from financing big ticket items to financing small ticket items. Consumers are making several small purchases that combine into a very large monthly bill. 

Missed payments can result in high interest rates or late fees: Some BNPL providers charge penalty interest rates or late fees for missed payments, which can quickly increase the overall cost of the purchase. Additionally, missed payments may be reported to credit bureaus, potentially impacting a consumer’s credit score.

TIPS TO AVOID A BNPL FINANCIAL TRAP:

• Read the payment terms: Carefully review the terms and conditions including payment schedules, interest rates and fees. 
• Review your budget and plan your payments in advance to ensure you can follow the payment schedule: If you have multiple payment plans, ensure you keep track of all the plans and create a budget for these multiple plans. Gain an accurate and holistic view of your ability to repay the debt. 
• Monitor your accounts and make timely payments: Keep track of all your BNPL accounts and payment schedules. Automate payments so you don’t miss an installment payment.
• Practice intentional buying: Impulse buying is an easy trap to fall into, so it’s important to practice self-care by being intentional with your money, budgeting wisely, not overcommitting and protecting your financial health. 
• Understand how BNPL may impact your credit: Every BNPL lender is different, so carefully review the terms before and know if it can impact your credit score. BNPL loans are typically easier to qualify for than other lines of credit, so securing and making on-time payments is important. If the loan is not paid in full, it may negatively impact your credit history.

 

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here. 

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook. 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Despite Labor Force Gains, Disparities Remain for Workers with Disabilities

 

A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli shows the labor force participation rate for those with a disability age 16 and over rose by 4.6 percentage points between 2019 and 2024, while it dropped 0.5 percentage points for the state’s nondisabled workforce. Despite this progress, only 28.8% of individuals with disabilities participated in the labor force in 2024, less than half the rate of people in New York without a disability (69.9%) and 3.5 percentage points below the national rate for people with disabilities (32.3%).

“This year marks the 35^th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act and while we’ve made some progress, challenges remain and more effort is needed to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities in the workplace,” DiNapoli said. “Providing accommodations for workplace flexibility and encouraging employers to practice inclusive hiring can help improve employment outcomes for people with a disability. By championing inclusion, we create progress, prosperity and a stronger New York.”

In 2024, more than 2.5 million New Yorkers 16 and older had a disability, representing 15% of the working-age population. Due to the daily challenges facing people with disabilities, they are less likely to graduate high school or earn a bachelor’s degree and tend to have lower rates of labor force participation and employment. As a result, they earn far less on average than those without a disability. In 2024, one in four New Yorkers with a disability lived below the poverty line compared to one in five nationally.

Increases to Labor Force Participation Rate

Nationally, the labor force participation rate for people with a disability age 16 and over rose by five percentage points from 2019-2024, with the greatest gains between 2019 and 2021. Research has noted post-Covid labor market patterns differ from previous recessions in which employment recovery for people with disabilities lagged the nondisabled population, largely due to expanded remote work options for those who would have difficulty taking an in-person job, and a tighter labor market that encouraged more inclusive hiring.

State Policy Efforts

New York State has taken several steps to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The state’s “Employment First” initiative requires state agencies to adopt plans to increase competitive integrated employment (CIE) in the workforce and encourages businesses to adopt inclusive hiring practices. The initial goals of Employment First in 2015 were to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by 5% and reduce their poverty rate by 5% statewide. 2024 data show employment gains over the past ten years exceed this goal, though reductions in poverty have been more modest.

State agencies are required to develop an annual plan that details how they will improve the percentage of people with disabilities they hire, and the Chief Disability Officer is required to annually collect data from each agency and report on and evaluate the state’s progress on improving the employment rate of state employees with disabilities.

Other state programs that help overcome barriers to employment for people with disabilities include enacted legislative changes in 2022 to its Preferred Source Contracting Program that were intended to foster more inclusive jobs in the nonprofit sector and increase CIE. The state also runs specialized hiring programs within the state workforce for people with disabilities under Civil Service Law 55-b and 55-c. In addition, since 2015, businesses in New York that employ people with disabilities have been authorized to claim either a personal income tax or corporate franchise tax credit.

DiNapoli emphasized the importance of leveraging existing vocational programs, improving transportation services for jobs that cannot be done remotely, and educating employers about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, measures that could significantly diminish barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

Report

Economic and Policy Insights – Workers with Disabilities Achieve Labor Force Gains, but Disparities Remain

Related Reports

Employment Recovery is Slow for New Yorkers with Disabilities