Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Severe Winter Weather

Governor Hochul: “If you are in the North Country or Mohawk Valley, what it'll feel like on your skin is minus 40 to 50 degrees — minus 40 to 50 degrees. If you can contemplate that. Other upstate areas are a little warmer, minus 30 degrees and downstate minus five to 10 degrees… And when this touches your skin, if you're not properly covered — every inch of you — you can succumb to frostbite in seconds.”

Hochul: “There's been a lot of reports this year about cold weather, storms coming. This is one you need to take very seriously, and as we talk about some of the things you can prepare for this, I can give you personal advice. Try to not be outside as much as you can, and that might mean stocking up on groceries and water and your pet food, and baby food and flashlight batteries — everything you may need now, so you don't have to go out in the very cold to go shopping, whether you're walking or driving.”

I have a very important message for all New Yorkers: Do not be misled by the balmy day we're having here in New York City. All across the state, New Yorkers are at risk of an extreme weather event — the likes of which we have not seen in many years. I'm talking about extreme cold temperatures where we're expecting them lasting through Sunday and Monday in some parts of our states, the coldest part will be Saturday. Now, the only good news is that people will not have to have their kids in school. That the workday for many is Monday through Friday.

But here's a couple of the temperatures that we're predicting. If you are in the North Country or Mohawk Valley, what it'll feel like on your skin is minus 40 to 50 degrees — minus 40 to 50 degrees. If you can contemplate that. Other upstate areas are a little warmer, minus 30 degrees and downstate minus five to 10 degrees.

I will tell you this: As the first Governor Buffalo sent to Albany since Grover Cleveland, I know all about cold temperatures. And when this touches your skin, if you're not properly covered — every inch of you — you can succumb to frostbite in seconds.

And I'm telling you, we've seen this elsewhere in our state. The extreme cold can be deadly, absolutely deadly. So please — there's been a lot of reports this year about cold weather, storms coming. This is one you need to take very seriously, and as we talk about some of the things you can prepare for this, I can give you personal advice. Try to not be outside as much as you can, and that might mean stocking up on groceries and water and your pet food, and baby food and flashlight batteries — everything you may need now, so you don't have to go out in the very cold to go shopping, whether you're walking or driving.

If you have to be outside — and we have many people who have to work outside — our first responders, law enforcement, others who are outside — stay hydrated, drink lots of water, drink warm beverages. But actually, here's a pro tip. Avoid caffeine. Might be contrary to what you think. Do not bring a thermos of coffee with you. Just bring hot water, multiple layers of clothing, gloves, mittens, socks, insulated hats. There's also really good foot warmers and hand warmers you can buy at the store. Go get those before they run out.

So we're also expecting snow all over the state. Late into Saturday, lower Hudson Valley could see one to five inches. Capital region two to six, east of Lake Ontario, six to eight inches. We're looking into Sunday — we're going to have a significant storm, a snow storm that's going to impact Southeastern New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley. This is coming for you. Upwards of one foot of snow is possible.

Now these projections, predictions are changing by the hour, but this is what we know right now. So take it seriously. And it can actually impact the morning commute on Monday. So pay close attention to updates from the news. Plan ahead. Limit your unnecessary travel. Again, stock up on what you need now, but also if you are on the roads, our snowplows are doing their job. They're trying to keep you safe. They need to salt the roads in advance. Don't crowd the plow, give them the distance to do what they need to do because roads get slippery. And I've witnessed this with my own eyes and trying to help people who literally spin off the road in icy conditions, go into a ravine and they cannot be seen for some time. So this is a dangerous situation on our roads.

So stock up your car as well. What you have in your car could save your life for the lives of your children. Have a shovel. Another pro-tip: cat litter. Why do you need cat litter? Unless you have a cat, you can literally put that if you're stuck in a ditch, put it under your tires when you're trying to get out, it'll give you a little more traction. Keep a shovel with you. I've done this. Again, food and water and extra batteries and clothes. Make sure your cell phone is charged if you go out, that's in your vehicle.

So our DOT plows are ready. Our teams are ready on the Thruway. We have our emergency management teams positioned, pre-deployed. Our utility crews, almost 6,000, are waiting to go where they're needed most. If power lines come down and we have areas without power for any period of time, it can be dangerous.

I speak from experience as someone who lived through a power outage in the heat of a Buffalo storm for about a week with my children. Not easy, not fun. So here's my tip. Be ready for it. And so, I just want everybody to take this very seriously as we approach what is the impending storm and stay tuned watching all your local newscast.

Thank you.

School Consultant Pleads Guilty to Kickback Conspiracy Connected to Covid-Era Programs Designed to Help Schoolchildren Access the Internet

 

Principal of Long Island-Based Consulting Firm Steered Contracts Worth Millions to Vendors in Exchange for a Secret Share of the Profits

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, school consultant Richard Bernstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with his agreement with others to steer federal funds to school vendors in exchange for a share of the vendors’ profits.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr.  When sentenced, Bernstein faces up to five years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Fara Damelin, Inspector General, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced the guilty plea.

“Bernstein’s scheme enriched himself and his co-conspirators at the expense of schools and schoolchildren,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Kickback schemes that illegally syphon public funds into private pockets are an insidious form of corruption, and our Office is committed to disrupting and prosecuting such conduct.”

“This case demonstrates the continuing pattern of procurement fraud and kickbacks between consultants and vendors that threaten the integrity of FCC’s ECF and E-Rate programs. The defendant, an active consultant in this industry, used his status to defraud these programs, stated FCC Inspector General Damelin.  “We will continue to identify and vigorously investigate bad actors who exploit FCC programs for personal gain to the detriment of students that these programs are meant to serve.  I am proud of the outstanding work of our investigative and analytics teams as well as our law enforcement partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office-EDNY, Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, NASA, and the New York City Police Department.

As set forth in the complaint, criminal information, and as discussed in court proceedings, Bernstein was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of E-Rate Consulting, LLC and the president of E-Rate Management Solutions Inc. (together, EMS), both of which are located in Woodmere, New York.  EMS offered services to schools in New York and elsewhere related to the E-Rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”) programs.

Both the E-Rate and the ECF programs are operated by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), with oversight from the FCC.  The E-Rate program provides discounts to help eligible schools and libraries in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. The ECF program provided funding to schools and libraries to assist them in supporting remote learning for students, staff, and library community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Bernstein acted as an agent for schools seeking access to resources under both the E-Rate and ECF programs.  Bernstein agreed with vendors to steer the schools he served to work with those vendors; he simultaneously entered into secret side agreements with the vendors to share as much as half of their profits with him. For example, Bernstein provided consulting services to a school located in Nassau County (School #1) in 2021 and 2022. Bernstein connected that school with a vendor (Vendor #1), and School #1 agreed to receive equipment from Vendor #1. Vendor #1 purchased 130 Lenovo Chromebooks and 40 Lenovo laptops for School #1, and sought reimbursement for these purchases from USAC.  USAC ultimately paid $68,000 to Vendor #1 on January 28, 2022.  A few days later, EMS submitted an invoice to Vendor #1 for $11,500, representing 50% of Vendor #1’s profits for the equipment provided to School #1.  Vendor #1 paid EMS $11,5000 on or about February 8, 2022.

In total, EMS received more than $100,000 in kickbacks from vendors funded through the E-Rate and ECF programs.  Bernstein has agreed to forfeit $137,576.64. This amount corresponds to the illicit proceeds he received from the scheme.           

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Zuckerwise and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Special Agent Anthony Cunder and paralegal specialist Daniel Arakawa.

Florida Nursing Assistant Convicted in $11.4M Health Care Fraud Scheme Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries

 

A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, convicted a nursing assistant today for his role in an $11.4 million health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy in which hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries were sent thousands of orthotic braces they did not need.

“Defendant Chris Cruz blatantly lied to Medicare in order to steal over $11 million from hard-working taxpayers,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that the Criminal Division remains committed to holding criminals accountable who steal from their fellow citizens to fuel their own greed.”

“Nursing Assistant Chris Cruz devised a scheme to enrich himself by defrauding Medicare to the tune of millions of dollars,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Caldwell of the FBI Miami Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will not relent in the pursuit of Medicare fraudsters - including greedy nurses.”

“Healthcare fraud is not a paperwork offense—it is a crime that steals from seniors and undermines confidence in our healthcare system,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This defendant was a licensed nurse who chose greed over duty, exploiting Medicare beneficiaries through a deliberate $11.4 million fraud scheme. The jury’s verdict makes clear that medical professionals who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain will face serious consequences.”

“This brazen scheme stole $11.4 million from Medicare and betrayed taxpayer trust,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of HHS-OIG. “HHS-OIG is steadfastly committed to ensuring that medical decisions are driven by patient need rather than financial gain.  We will relentlessly pursue those who put greed over patient care and hold them accountable.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Christian “Chris” Cruz, 45, of Pompano Beach, Florida, owned and operated a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier based in Florida through which he submitted millions of dollars in false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces.

Cruz and his co-conspirator paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to obtain signed doctors’ orders. They used these orders to ship orthotic braces to Medicare beneficiaries nationwide and then claim payment from Medicare, including to beneficiaries who neither requested nor required the braces. Cruz lied to Medicare, claiming that he was the sole owner and operator of the company when in fact he shared ownership in the company with his co-conspirator, a convicted felon. Medicare would not have allowed the company to enroll with Medicare if it had known about Cruz’s co-conspirator. The co-conspirator has been charged but remains at large.

Cruz received several hundred thousand dollars to his personal bank account from the fraudulent scheme that he frequently withdrew in cash on consecutive days at different bank branches in South Florida, often in amounts just under the bank reporting threshold of $10,000.

Cruz was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, four counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to make false statements relating to health care matters and three counts of structuring. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13 and faces a maximum penalty of 125 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Owen Dunn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling Paulson of the Southern District of Florida prosecuted 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 HHS-OIG, 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.

BRONX WOMAN INDICTED FOR LONG-TERM STARVATION AND ISOLATION OF HER 14-YEAR-OLD TWIN SONS

 

Boys Weighed Under 55 Pounds; Haven’t Been Outside Home in Years

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx woman has been indicted on first-degree Assault, first-degree Reckless Endangerment, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and other charges for starving her twin sons and keeping them virtually housebound for nine years, significantly stunting their development. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant is accused of a shocking, horrifying form of child abuse, allegedly depriving her sons of proper food, social interaction, education, medical attention. We will do everything we can to help these boys attain a normal life.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Lissette Soto Domenech, 64, of Mosholu Avenue in Riverdale, was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Audrey Stone on two counts of first-degree Assault, two counts of first-degree Reckless Endangerment, two counts of second-degree Reckless Endangerment, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, first-degree Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person, and four counts of second-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing. Bail was set $25,000 cash/$75,000 bond/$75,000 partially secured bond. She is due back in court on February 4, 2026.

According to the investigation, between November 3, 2016, and October 15, 2025, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, the defendant engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to the boys and caused serious physical injury to them. In November 2016, she allegedly stopped taking the boys to a doctor and in September 2017 began submitting false documents to the New York City Department of Education claiming she was homeschooling the boys.

According to the investigation, on October 15, 2025, after several anonymous complaints, an Administration for Children’s Services child protective specialist went to the home and called 911. The boys were severely malnourished with one weighing 51 pounds and the other weighing 54 pounds and were far below normal height. One boy is autistic and apparently was never evaluated or in receipt of services for the condition. FDNY Emergency Medical Technicians took the boys to Montefiore Children’s Hospital where they underwent care for three months. In the apartment there was only infant cereal, baby bottles and toddler toys. There was no food or belongings appropriate for children their age.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Eric Droz and Kelvin Sanchez of the Bronx Child Abuse Squad for their work on the investigation. District Attorney Clark thanked ACS Child Protective Specialist Iydes Ramirez for her work.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Highlights Proposals to Bring Down Costs of Vehicle Insurance Rates and Tackle Fraudulent Claims

Taking Steps To Battle Fraud, Limit Damages Paid Out to Bad Actors and Ensure Consumers, Not Insurance Companies, Are Prioritized

Proposals Build on Governor’s Ongoing Efforts To Make New York State More Affordable and Put Money Back Into Pockets of Hardworking New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted her proposals to bring down costs of vehicle insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State. The Governor is taking common-sense steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized. These proposals build on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to make the state more affordable and put money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers.

“Since taking office, my top priorities have been to make New York more affordable and protect New Yorkers — and that’s why I proposed measures to bring down auto insurance costs and battle fraudulent claims that are driving up costs for everyone,” Governor Hochul said. “These common-sense proposals will not only increase auto insurance transparency for New Yorkers, but they will also put money back into people’s pockets, especially during a time when the cost of living is just too high.”

New Yorkers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation — totaling just over $4,000 annually on average, nearly $1,500 above the national average. Car insurance rates are driven up by a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes, and enforcement gaps, with staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflating everyone’s premiums by as much as $300 per year on average according to some estimates.

Cracking Down on Fraud To Lower Rates for Everyday New Yorkers

Increasingly sophisticated actors stage elaborate accidents, designed to allow for “jackpot” payouts from insurance companies or jury awards, and these scams are becoming more prevalent. In 2023, there were 1,729 staged crashes in New York State, which ranks second highest in the nation for incidents of staged fraud. In total, insurance carriers reported 38,270 incidents of suspected motor vehicle insurance fraud to the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Insurance Frauds Bureau in 2023 — a record high. This is up from 24,238 incidents of suspected motor vehicle insurance fraud from 2020, a 58% increase in three years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflate everyone’s premiums by as much as $300 per year on average.

To combat these organized criminal efforts, Governor Hochul is taking a whole-of-government approach to cracking down on auto insurance fraud, including:

• Reinvigorating the State’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board, empowering it to better support the ability to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud across the state
• Legislation to ensure prosecutors can seek criminal penalties against any individual responsible for organizing a staged accident, not just the particular individual behind the wheel
• Partnering with District Attorneys across New York to help build cases that put an end to the organized fraud that’s robbing New Yorkers via elevated insurance rates
• Strengthening efforts to take on medical providers who participate in fraud by signing off on phony medical diagnoses that result in enormous payouts
• Taking action when New York drivers illegally register their vehicles in other states, which artificially decreases their coverage and raises costs for law-abiding New York drivers

Strengthening Insurer Anti-Fraud Programs

Current law handcuffs insurers’ ability to protect their law-abiding customers against fraud and abuse by capping the time they have to identify and report instances of fraud to just 30 days. To ensure fraud is being identified and punished, Governor Hochul will increase the timeframe insurers have to report fraud and reduce barriers to alleging fraud in court, giving insurers more time to investigate claims and avoid paying fraudulent ones. Legislation will balance increased flexibility to crack down on fraud with the need to preserve crucial consumer protections.

Limiting Damages for Individuals Engaging in Unlawful Behavior at the Time of an Accident

When drivers are engaging in unlawful behavior at the time of an incident, they shouldn’t be able to win sizable insurance payouts. However, current law permits individuals committing crimes, including impaired driving, to receive generous payouts for pain and suffering and emotional distress, which are paid from the premiums contributed by law-abiding drivers. Governor Hochul will cap the payout on these types of non-economic damages for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, including uninsured motorists, individuals convicted of driving while impaired at the time of the incident, and individuals committing a felony (or fleeing one) at the time of the incident.

Limiting Damages for Individuals Who Are “Mostly” At Fault in Causing an Accident

New York is in a minority of states that allow drivers that are deemed “mostly” at fault in an accident to still collect extensive damages, including non-economic damages mentioned above. This means that in New York, even the driver deemed mostly at fault for an accident can walk away with a sizable payout for that accident. Most states have common-sense rules which only permit recovery of non-economic damages if a plaintiff is not primarily at fault for the accident. The Governor is seeking changes to the state’s laws that will limit the non-economic damages a driver can obtain if they are mostly at fault for an accident, introducing a measure of accountability for who is compensated by insurance after an incident.

Tightening the Serious Injury Threshold

New York’s no-fault insurance law allows for individuals injured in an auto accident to make claims for compensation that stretches beyond reimbursement for the medical expenses or lost wages associated with an injury. This additional compensation is intended to offer support for the pain and suffering of victims with serious injuries. New York’s legal definition of serious injury is vague, applied inconsistently, and can include temporary injuries that only sideline an individual for a short time following an accident rather than the more significant injuries that would merit further payouts. Without a fair and firm definition of serious injuries, individuals without significant harms may try to game the system to win astronomically high “jackpot” awards from courts associated with these harms — raising rates for everyone else.

Governor Hochul will reform the serious injury threshold by proposing objective and fair medical standards for what actually qualifies as a serious injury. This reform will create clear and objective criteria for what constitutes a serious injury, avoid unnecessary and expensive litigation, and help stop individuals from exploiting the system to win payouts that are not aligned with the severity of their injuries and push everyone else’s rates up.

Reforming Joint and Several Liability

In New York, in cases with more than one defendant, each defendant can be held responsible for the entire amount of non-economic damages, regardless of their allocation of fault, if the other defendants fail to pay.

New York would join 28 other states in adopting a rule that would change this standard for defendants who are less than 50 percent at fault, so that these defendants are held responsible only for the damage they caused. This will allow insurance companies to price premiums lower, since they will only have to account for damages caused by the people they are insuring.

Ensuring Consumers, Not Insurance Companies, Benefit From Savings

Since the 1970s, DFS has maintained the Excess Profit Law as a critical consumer protection against auto insurers making excess profits on the backs of consumers. This law acts as a “circuit breaker” by requiring auto insurers to return any profit exceeding a certain threshold directly to policyholders. While carriers have recently operated at a net loss, reforms to the auto insurance law as proposed above would be expected to generate significant operational savings for the industry. If these reforms are enacted, Governor Hochul will direct DFS to re-examine the Excess Profit Law and in particular the current threshold trigger, ensuring consumers are prioritized.

Increasing Transparency For Policyholders in the Auto Insurance Market

Too often, auto insurance rates for policyholders rise without explanation, or relation to any identifiable change in context. In a time of high rates, New Yorkers deserve to understand when and why their insurance premiums go up. The Governor will increase transparency by requiring insurers to notify policyholders about rate changes and explain why the changes are happening.

Improving Incentives To Drive Safely

While guarding against bad actors gaming the system, insurance companies should also seek opportunities to reward drivers who play by the rules and keep themselves and others safe. Governor Hochul is seeking to reduce insurance costs by enlisting drivers as partners in her efforts to make our roads safer, leveraging technology to reduce insurance rates. The Governor will require insurance companies to offer discounts on insurance rates when drivers voluntarily opt into programs that have been shown to reduce unsafe driving and fraud.

Mamdani Administration Announces New Youth Clinics at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens

Supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the new NYC Health + Hospitals clinics will provide excellent behavioral and primary care as youth age out of pediatric care 

 

Nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after they turn 21 — this initiative will keep young New Yorkers engaged and supported  

TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to announce the launch of two new clinics to provide comprehensive healthcare to young people ages 16 to 25 years old at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens.  

 

Supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the clinics will aim to keep youth engaged in care as they age out of pediatric care, reduce emergency room visits, and improve long-term health outcomes. According to MetroPlusHealth claims data, nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after they turn 21. The new Elevate You clinics will provide behavioral health care, primary care, reproductive care, vocational support, and social support services from a consistent care team. The program’s multidisciplinary treatment team includes a social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, youth peer, and family advocate.  

 

“If we want young New Yorkers to chase their dreams here, we have to make it clear that their struggles are not just their own,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Access to consistent, high-quality health care is not optional—it’s essential, and our City is showing that. These new youth clinics will support young people as they move into adulthood and are just one example of a city government that is on their side, every step of the way.” 

 

“I'm so excited to be here building a healthier city, and a healthier generation, with our amazing partners. This announcement gets to the heart of the work of our administration and the work that the mayor is committed to -- treating every New Yorker, even our young ones, with dignity and the respect that they deserve, ensuring that we are addressing every issue at the root cause,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Helen Arteaga.  

 

“The transition to adulthood can be challenging for anyone, and we found our teenage patients disconnecting from behavioral health services as they aged out of pediatric care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Today’s two new Elevate You clinics are bright, comfortable spaces for our teenage patients to get the care they need and build the skills to enter the next stage of their lives. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at MetroPlusHealth for their vision and support for this initiative.” 

 

“Addressing the youth mental health crisis includes making sure that our young people stay connected to behavioral health care and supportive resources as they enter adulthood,” said Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief of Behavioral Health Services at NYC Health + Hospitals. “This is why we are dedicated to developing innovative programs like the Elevate You clinics that provide essential mental health treatment to young people as they navigate the transition to adulthood. This support is especially crucial for vulnerable populations, such as those aging out of foster care, by addressing common challenges like housing instability, employment difficulties, and mental health concerns.” 

 

“We are proud of the tremendous growth of our Behavioral Health Service over the last few years, and we are excited to take the next step in addressing the needs of the communities we serve in North Brooklyn,” said Dr. Ross MacDonald, Chief Medical Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Transitional age youth are at a critical point in their lives, and we’re dedicated to building healing relationships with that change lives for the better.” 

 

“MetroPlusHealth is committed to investing in the future of our city’s youth—building continuity, fostering safety, and inspiring hope during one of the most pivotal stages of human development,” said Talya Schwartz, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. “As a mother, pediatrician, and leader, I am honored to be part of an initiative that stands beside our children as they grow. This is about more than care—it’s about connection, stability, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.”  

 

“We’re incredibly proud to champion these spaces where young people feel safe, respected, and supported—because that’s what they need to stay in care,” said Karen Lenard, Vice President of Behavioral Health at MetroPlusHealth. “Too often, teens lose the support to access to mental health services just as life starts to get more complicated. This program helps them stay connected to the same care team, in a place that feels familiar, while they navigate school, relationships, work, and growing up.”   

 

“The Elevate You clinics are designed to break the cycle of disengagement in mental health services for our youth in Southeast Queens,” said Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “By focusing on comprehensive care that includes behavioral health, vocational support, and life skills training, we are addressing the unique challenges faced by young people in this community. Our commitment is to empower these youth to make informed decisions and build a healthier future as they transition into adulthood.” 

 

“This program is a game-changer for the youth we serve,” said Dr. John Navas, Chief of Psychiatry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “The Elevate You clinics provide not only mental health support but also a safe environment where young individuals can gain essential life skills and support networks. In neighborhoods like Southeast Queens, where access to resources is often limited, our goal is to help these young people thrive by ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and care they need to make positive choices that impact their futures.” 

 

“Elevate You is redefining behavioral health by removing age-based hurdles to care,” said Eva Sanders, LCSW, CCM, Associate Executive Director, Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “With this program, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull patients are supported with services that honor the real-life social and emotional complexities 16–24-year-olds experience as they grow into adulthood.” 

 

“On behalf of the NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Behavioral Health Ambulatory Service, I am very excited with the opening of the Elevate You program,” said Maria Chona P. San Gabriel, MD, DFAPA, Deputy Chief of Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Ambulatory Services), NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “This program bridges the gap between youth-focused care and adulthood, empowering and supporting young individuals in optimizing their skills and potentials for independent adult life. It showcases our team’s commitment and passion in providing excellent clinical care and service to our community.” 

 

Key components of the Elevate You clinics include: 

 

•  Whole Health Support: Services include coordination for mental health, physical health, reproductive care, and preventive services tailored to youth. 

•   Consistent Care Teams: Teens begin working with a dedicated team at age 16 that stays with them through age 25. 

•   Life Skills and Goals: Vocational and educational resources to help youth pursue college, careers, and independence.  

•   Youth-Friendly Clinics: Spaces have been updated to create welcoming environments with hangout areas and meeting rooms designed especially for young adults. 

 

Today’s announcement builds on several programs to address youth mental health, including 16 School-Based Mental Health Clinics which offer on-site clinical treatment directly in school buildings and the Mental Health Continuum Program which connects students from 50 New York City public schools to timely mental health care. 

 

The Elevate You clinics also align with New York City’s 2024 State of Mental Health report, which called for urgent reforms in youth transitions and highlighted deep inequities in care access.  

 

NYC Health + Hospitals serves approximately 8,000 children and adolescents each year through inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services at its hospitals, community mental health clinics, and innovative mental health programs in schools and in the community. NYC Health + Hospitals continues to enhance its mental health services for children and adolescents, addressing critical gaps in crisis intervention, outpatient care, and school-based support. 

 

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health in New York City. The system provides over 60% of behavioral health services citywide serving nearly 80,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Uber Needs to Explain What It Is Doing to Protect Riders From Sexual Assault

 

Rideshare Company Faces Wave of Sexual Assault Allegations and Lawsuits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has filed a shareholder proposal, on behalf of The New York State Common Retirement Fund*, that calls on Uber to publish a report explaining how it is addressing incidents of riders being sexually harassed and assaulted.

“For Uber to succeed, its users need to feel safe and not have a shred of doubt about using the service,” DiNapoli said. “The company should increase transparency about what it’s doing to protect riders from these horrifying incidents. Being open about the steps it’s taking is key to restoring customers’ trust and protecting the company’s reputation and value.”

As DiNapoli’s shareholder proposal details, published reports have revealed that Uber received a report of sexual assault or misconduct in the U.S. nearly every eight minutes from 2017 to 2022, or more than 400,000 reported incidents.

The unprecedented wave of reported incidents has led to thousands of individual cases in state and federal courts alleging Uber did not have safety measures to protect riders against sexual misconduct. It has also spurred investigations by the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation and the Attorney General of New Jersey.

* The state’s pension fund holds shares in Uber with an approximate value of $240 million.

Shareholder Proposal

NYS Common Retirement Fund Shareholder Proposal at Uber Technologies

Permits Filed for 453 East 175th Street in Tremont, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 453 East 175th Street in Tremont, The Bronx. Located between Park and Washington Avenues, the lot is near the 174th-175th Streets subway station, served by the B and D trains. Shaya Schlesinger of YML Development LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 57-foot-tall development will yield 20,204 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 30 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 673 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in December for the one-story structure on the property. An estimated completion date has not been announced.