Comptroller Stringer Audit Uncovers Hazardous Conditions in City Homeless Shelters for Families with Infants

 

Audit of New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters found unsafe sleep conditions and other hazards jeopardizing infants’ health and safety

Cluttered and unsafe cribs, exposed electrical outlets, mold and mildew, vermin infestation, and accessible hazardous substances found in units where infants reside

Comptroller recommends 10 actions to protect infants’ health and safety

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released an audit of infant safety within the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter system, revealing widespread hazardous conditions in sampled shelters where infants reside – including exposed electrical outlets, mold and mildew, vermin infestations, broken or missing window guards, and unsafe cribs. The Comptroller’s auditors found deficiencies raising health and safety concerns in all 13 shelters they visited and 92 percent of the 91 units they inspected, including 32 units with 4 or more safety concerns in 11 shelters. The audit also found that non-compliant shelter operators faced no apparent consequences; five of the 13 shelters in the audit sample were allowed to continue doing business with the City after receiving poor performance evaluations from DHS.

Comptroller Stringer recommended ten measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of infants in City shelters, including action by DHS to ensure that providers inspect all units where infants reside weekly, promptly correct all deficiencies found, and properly instruct all families with infants on safe sleep practices promptly after they enter a shelter.

“As a parent, I find the conditions we uncovered shameful, distressing and unacceptable. Our young children are the most vulnerable among us; they rely completely on us, as adults, to protect and care for them. Our investigation into infant safety in homeless shelters found that the City has utterly failed in its responsibility,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “It is a stain on this City that babies in our care are sleeping alongside vermin, breathing in mold and mildew, and playing near live electrical outlets. Even one child exposed to these conditions is too many, but our audit found safety violations in 92 percent of the units we inspected. Families experiencing homelessness enter the shelter system seeking safety and stability in their time of need, and we must not allow a child’s first days and months to be spent in an environment that poses a direct threat to their health and wellbeing. I urge the City to immediately correct this unacceptable state of affairs and adopt the recommendations outlined in this report to protect the young lives in shelter care. We don’t have a second to waste.”

During Fiscal Year 2019, DHS managed two City-operated and 155 provider-operated shelters that served families with children. In that period, DHS provided shelter to approximately 25,661 families with approximately 46,454 children including 4,824 infants. The audit found that the providers of the 13 sampled shelters failed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of infants in the sampled shelters. The audit identified crib-related deficiencies, missing safe sleep posters, exposed electrical outlets, mold and mildew, vermin infestation, and accessible hazardous substances in the units where infants lived. Auditors found that 11 of the sampled shelters had no records to show that 638 (44 percent) of the 1,445 of the required weekly inspections had been performed for 86 noncompliant units. In addition, shelter management often failed to update the Client Assistance and Rehousing Enterprise System (CARES) timely to record the arrival of newborn infants in the shelters and ensure that appropriate safeguards, such as approved cribs, safe sleep videos and posters, and weekly inspections, were promptly put in place, and that DHS’ records of the families and infants present in its shelters were accurate.

According to DHS, approximately 50 infants in New York City die from preventable, sleep-related injuries each year. DHS participates in a Safe Sleep Initiative that the City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) initiated in or around 2015. As part of that initiative, in 2018, DHS issued its “Safe Sleep Policy on Infants in Shelters for Families with Children,” to provide shelters with guidelines for safe sleep practices for infants. The Safe Sleep Policy includes provisions such as the use of stationary or portable cribs for the safety and wellbeing of infants whose families reside at a shelter. DHS also requires shelters to show families a safe sleep video within 48 hours of their arrival. Shelters are required to have each family sign a Safe Sleep Education Acknowledgment and Crib Acceptance/Refusal Form. If a family decides to use its own crib, shelters must obtain approval from DHS. DHS also requires shelters to conduct weekly unit inspections for families with infants. Shelters must document such inspections by entering a unit inspection note in CARES maintained by DHS and maintaining hard copies of the completed inspection forms within each client’s physical file.

Comptroller Stringer’s audit found the following deficiencies in DHS shelters for families with children:

• Inspection of 91 randomly selected units with infants at 13 shelters found 264 deficiencies, including –
  • Unsafe sleep conditions, such as nonuse and the improper use, placement, and condition of cribs, and the absence of required safe sleep posters; and
  • Inadequate unit conditions, including exposed electrical outlets and sharp edges, mold and mildew, vermin infestation, missing and broken window guards, accessible hazardous substances, and dirty and cluttered units.
• At least one deficiency was found in 92 percent of units inspected.
• All 13 shelters visited had deficiencies, including 32 units with 4 or more safety concerns in 11 shelters.
• Shelter management often did not update CARES in a timely manner to reflect arrival of newborn infants residing in their shelters.
• Shelters did not inform families of safe sleep protocols.
• Shelters did not consistently perform or document the required unit inspections.

Despite poor performance evaluation scores for five of the 13 shelters in our sample, all 5 shelters were nevertheless offered opportunities to continue doing business with the City. If the conditions found at the sampled shelters are consistent with conditions at the remaining shelters contracted by DHS, the City faces an increased risk that providers managing shelters throughout the City are offering inadequate housing to homeless families.

In response to these alarming findings, Comptroller Stringer recommended 10 actions to DHS ensure the safety of infants in their care. The recommendations included:

• DHS should ensure that the shelter providers promptly inspect and correct the conditions that raise safety and health concerns in the 13 sampled shelters identified.
• DHS should update, and enforce, its written policies and procedures to include a specific timeframe in which shelters must update their records in CARES, any successor system, and other records to account for the presence of all infants. The written policies and procedures should cover, at a minimum, updates to the family composition records, and a standard, readily searchable, contemporaneous record of the date every infant, including every newborn, begins residing in the shelter.
• Shelters should ensure that they play the prescribed safe sleep instructional video for all families with infants and then obtain properly completed Safe Sleep Education/Acknowledgment and Crib Acceptance/Refusal Forms on time from all families with infants and that they use only the updated form DHS prescribes.
• Shelters should ensure that they perform the required weekly unit inspections, that they document the results in a timely manner, and that they take prompt corrective action to address the deficiencies they find.
• DHS should establish and enforce consequences for noncompliance with infant safety policies.

To read Comptroller Stringer’s report on DHS’ care of infants residing in the shelter system, click here.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, FIRST LADY MCCRAY, AND CHANCELLOR CARRANZA ANNOUNCE 2021 MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING PLAN FOR SCHOOLS

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced a mental health plan to support students this fall, as part of the 2021 Student Achievement Plan. The first phase will focus on the 27 communities hardest hit by COVID-19, with plans to make these critical mental health supports available to students citywide.

 

“The trauma of the pandemic has been acutely felt by our youngest New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “In New York City, we believe that mental healthcare is a human right, and our students will not navigate this pain and grief alone.  Now with our school communities, we will give our kids the emotional support they need to succeed in a safe and supportive environment.”

"Now, more than ever, it’s important that we are able to pinpoint and address student strengths, weaknesses and areas of concern. The pandemic has tested everyone’s ability to work through some pretty tough challenges, and when children head back to school, each with their own mix of emotions, they will need more support than ever,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "This new screening will provide educators and staff with a more accurate indicator of how our children are doing when they re-enter the classroom. Learning and growing, continuous improvement is important for students and educators. There is no better investment to pair with our SEL and restorative justice curriculum."

 

“Students are only able to succeed academically when their social and emotional needs are being met, and we are only now starting to understand how this crisis is impacting our young people,” said Schools Chancellor Richard. A Carranza. “Building on what we know works as we look ahead, we know we’ll use these tools and resources to provide our school communities with the ability to confront and address trauma while fostering a safe, supportive environment for all students.”

 

Building on years of investments in the social emotional wellbeing of students, and expanding on the recently announced 2021 Student Achievement Plan, the mental health plan is a three-pronged approach to confront the trauma and mental health crisis faced by our students. Beginning in the 27 communities hardest hit by COVID-19, the DOE will make social, emotional, and academic behavior screeners available for all students K-12, hire 150 additional social workers, and add a community school in each of the 27 neighborhoods. This first phase will serve approximately 380,000 students across approximately 830 schools. This plan includes partnerships with community-based organizations and builds on the administration’s significant investments in the social and emotional wellbeing of young people, including through our Resilient Kids, Safer Schools initiative that expanded social-emotional learning and restorative justice approaches citywide; and our Bridge to School plan which provided educators with additional supports and trainings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

A social emotional screening is an evidence-based tool that facilitates a check-in on how students are doing emotionally and assesses a general sense of wellbeing, based on the observations made by the adults in school that know them best. The results of the screen will be analyzed by a school-based team to guide school-wide programming, elevate and address needs of specific students who might need additional care, and coordinate between parents, counselors, social workers, and clinicians to provide interventions that meet the unique, personalized needs of that particular student. 

 

Currently, every school has access to a social worker or guidance counselor, and we will continue to add to this pool so that more schools can have more full-time, dedicated support. DOE will hire an additional 150 social workers to serve schools in the communities hardest hit by COVID, prioritizing the schools in these communities currently without a fulltime social worker. Social workers will work in partnership with educators and Health + Hospitals clinicians, through the previously announced Pathways to Care initiative, to target resources, clinical supports, and interventions to students based on their unique needs.

 

To further expand services that support the whole child, this plan will transform 27 schools in these communities to become Community Schools. Community Schools are a cornerstone of this administration’s approach to rethinking the place a school has in its community, by connecting schools to community partners who provide wraparound services to address the specific needs of that school’s community. A recent RAND Corporation impact study of New York City’s Community Schools program found that they have many positive impacts, including increasing graduation rates, decreasing chronic absenteeism and disciplinary incidents, while improving student achievement.  

 

The second phase of this initiative will move to make these mental health and wellbeing supports universal. Our children need these supports, and we need the federal government to step up and provide school districts with appropriate resources to meet unprecedented mental health needs laid bare by the pandemic. With additional and significant federal stimulus aid, the City can expand this work to provide all students with social, emotional, and academic behavior screenings, hiring a total of 500 social workers, and growing a total 100 Community Schools. With federal support, every New York City school would have access to a mental health clinic, CBO-provided mental health services, or a social worker.

 

The strategies announced today are part of an ongoing, citywide effort to meet the mental health needs of children and young people in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. In August, the Mayor, First Lady and Chancellor announced the Bridge to School program to help schools integrate trauma-informed practices into school reopening, following an historic investment to address the social-emotional needs of students. In addition, ThriveNYC and DOE collaborate on several innovative mental health programs that serve children and families, which offer a combination of in-person and tele-mental health support during the pandemic.  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While the mayor talks about 27 communities hardest hit by COVID-19 there is never any mention as to which communities are the 27 communities that go unnamed.

Governor Cuomo Announces Santa Claus Granted Department of Health Waiver to Travel to New York for Christmas

 

We had a request for a waiver of quarantine. We normally do not do waivers of quarantine. It's unfortunate that we're in this situation, but people from other states that have a higher infection rate, what we're dealing with the U.K. now. As I said, no state is an island, so you have to protect yourself and that's what the quarantine rules did. But we have an unusual request, but DOH has been considering it for the past few days and they have actually granted the request. Santa Claus asked for an exception for the 14-day quarantine requirement because it would be impractical for him to be in the state and then quarantine and still get all his gifts delivered on time. DOH was flexible. They have granted the quarantine waiver, but Santa is required to wear a mask this year. I think you will still be able to recognize him even though he'll be wearing a mask because he does have a fairly distinct outfit that he wears, plus his body style is fairly distinct. So, I don't think there will be any issue in identifying Santa this year. He'll be able to do his job, but do it safely because he'll be wearing a mask. So, thank you, Dr. Zucker — I think that was a creative outcome to that waiver request.

NEW YORK CITY’S VACCINE EFFORT OUTPACES NATIONWIDE AVERAGE

 

New York City is vaccinating at over double the national average

 Over 42% of vaccine doses have now been administered in New York City, over double the national average of 19%. With the City’s vaccination effort now underway, Mayor de Blasio today also launched the Vaccine Command Center website to track the City’s progress in administering the in vaccine real-time.

 

“Hope is on the horizon in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are moving full steam ahead to get out healthcare workers and nursing homes the vaccines they need to win the battle against the virus once and for all.”

 

“We are still early in the process but these figures reflect the depth of preparation by our healthcare system and public health professionals,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “The healthcare workers who receive this vaccine have demonstrated so much heroism and this vaccine will give them a layer of protection as they fight for our health in the year ahead.”

 

To date, 18,105 doses have been administered in New York City out of the 42,900 doses distributed to healthcare workers and nursing homes. Comparatively only 556,208 of the 2,838,225 total doses distributed nationwide have been administered. To add to New York City’s existing supply, the FDA has also now authorized the Moderna vaccine and it will be ship to New York City in the coming days.

 

Six of the Seven Candidates in the 11th City Council District to Replace Newly Elected Judge Andrew Cohen Say No to a Rigged Nomination Selection by the Ben Franklin Club

 

BREAKING NEWS

We reported that Ben Franklin Club President Michael Heller the moderator and time keeper Bruce Feld of the club forum had both donated to the Eric Dinowitz campaign. We then reported that the club was putting off it's yearly club elections due to COVID-19, but was trying to rush through an endorsement vote for a special election President Heller said would happen on February 27th, (in the photo above) despite COVID-19. We have received this letter from the other six candidates withdrawing their request for support from the Ben Franklin Club.

December 21, 2020

Six City Council Candidates Withdraw From The

Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club’s

City Council Endorsement Process

Bronx, New York - Today, six of seven City Council candidates withdrew from the endorsement process of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club for the expected 11th City Council District special election in March 2021.

In recent weeks, it was revealed that the club’s Executive Committee had authorized club President Michael Heller to change the club’s election procedures for endorsements and for club elections without first seeking input or agreement from club members. Following pushback, the procedure was changed in a rushed vote, violating the club’s own bylaws.

Under the system advanced by the Club President, Ben Franklin Club members wishing to vote on endorsements for the upcoming presumed special election are required to request a ballot and then mail their vote to the Club Secretary with the sender’s information on the outside of the ballot. It is unknown who will have access to the ballots or who will count the ballots.

Inconsistently, BFRDC leadership simultaneously advanced the postponement of its own leadership elections indefinitely, claiming that it could not safely hold an election for its officers and executive committee members.

Both measures violated the Club’s by-laws.

The City Council candidates sent a letter of withdrawal today to Michael Heller, the Club’s President. The withdrawal signals that they do not condone the undemocratic methods used to establish an unfounded and insecure voting process to produce an endorsement in a special election. The candidates urged the club to restore its commitment to democracy by abolishing the special election endorsement for the New York City Council in the 11th District and focusing its energy on its own transition of power.

The six candidates who are announcing their withdrawal for consideration of the endorsement today are: Carlton Berkley, Jessica Haller, Mino Lora, Abigail Martin, Dan Padernacht and Marcos Sierra. These candidates have been actively participating in the Benjamin Franklin Club’s endorsement process before these revelations came to light, including taking part in a candidates’ forum held by the club on November 24th.

At the time of this release, Eric Dinowitz has not confirmed his participation in the joint statement.

We don't choose if and when we are going to abide by the rules of a democratic process. It’s important to shine a light on the improper actions of groups that have an impact on the electoral process in our community.” - Dan Padernacht

“These actions raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of the Ben Franklin Club’s Executive Committee, who has abandoned the democratic process to make decisions on behalf of its members. The actions by the Ben Franklin club make it clear that our community needs new leadership.” -Abigail Martin

“The President of the club said that this situation is like ‘fixing the engine while flying the plane.” I’ve been in those situations, this is not that. This is more like ignoring red-engine light until the night before you need the car. I refuse to participate in a sham process and find it both ironic and unfortunate that the ‘Reformed Democratic’ club fails to recognize that its own absurd rules are in dire need of democratic reforms, and the community in dire need of new voices.” -Jessica Haller

"It is disappointing that in a democratic society, especially in today's environment, there seem to be elements in this race that are intent on swaying the outcome of this process. I stand in solidarity with my fellow candidates to speak out against changes that are not supported by the full BFDRC membership." -Marcos Sierra

“I support the BFRDC members who object to the executive committee’s unauthorized suspension of their bylaws. As these actions are in direct conflict with my progressive values, I am not seeking BFRDC’s endorsement under these circumstances.”- Mino Lora

Candidate Carlton Berkley gave no comment. 

THIRD ANNUAL MUSLIMS ISRAEL SUMMIT IN NEW YORK CITY

 

THIRD ANNUAL MUSLIMS ISRAEL SUMMIT IN NEW YORK CITY

Summit Theme: Honoring Muhammad Anwar el-Sadat. Celebrating Abraham Accord. Envisioning Israel’s OIC Membership.

Summit Date: Monday, December 21, 2020.
Summit Time: 6:00-8:00pm, NYC time.

Summit Venue: Zoom Platform

RSVP: Muslimsisraeldialogue@gmail.com

Open to all peacemakers but RSVP is required.

Summit Convener: Muslims Israel Dialogue and its partners.

###

What Holy Quran says about Israel:

"And [remember] when Moses said to his people: 'O my people, call in remembrance the favour of God unto you, when he produced prophets among you, made you kings, and gave to you what He had not given to any other among the peoples. O my people, enter the Holy Land which God has assigned unto you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin.'" Qur'an 5:20-21.  "And thereafter We [Allah] said to the Children of Israel: 'Dwell securely in the Promised Land. And when the last warning will come to pass, we will gather you together in a mingled crowd.'" Qur'an 17:104.

The physical presence of Masjid Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock as we know them today:

“Umayyad Caliphs commissioned the construction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the site. The Dome was completed in 692 CE, making it one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world. The Al Aqsa Mosque rests on the far southern side of the Mount, facing Mecca.”

Prophet Muhammd (PBUH) died on June 8, 632 AD, Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Nations of the world and their peoples as of today:

193 member nations of the United Nations. 57 of which belong to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Out of them, 22 nations belong long to Arab League.  These Arab League nation are correctly proud of their Arabic language, culture, heritage, sovereignty and most importantly, Islamic religion.  A sovereign Palestine can easily be accommodated where it is, when Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt readjust their colonial marked borders.  These borders are new and artificial. 

Israel is the only nation for the world Jewry, and Jews in the land of Israel is in each Abrahamic Holy Book.  

Let us celebrate ISRAEL to establish PALESTINE.  It’s inevitable! 
 

#muslimsisraldialogue
#PeaceDecember
#holyland See Less

https://parkchestertimes.com/third-annual-muslims-israel-dialogue-summit-in-new-york-city

**TONIGHT** @ 6PM: Mondays with Michael 12/21

 

DON'T MISS ONE OF OUR LAST MONDAYS WITH MICHAEL COMMUNITY ZOOM CALLS!

To join us, visit the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95478393745. Please contact Assembly Member Blake's office at 718-538-3829 or email us at help79districtbx@gmail.com to RSVP or to raise any questions or concerns.

NYLCV - Environmental News for December 21st

 

 

Here’s what we’re reading this week:

 

NYC Must Ensure We Keep Organic Recycling Sites: NYC has faced significant economic setbacks over the past few months due to the COVID pandemic and as a result many community composting sites that receive funding from the city are on the chopping block. We urge Mayor de Blasio to keep his promise of finding new locations for the Lower East Side Ecology Center and Big Reuse composting sites.

 

Green Tips: Holiday Gift Wrapping: The period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is full of holiday cheer, but it also marks the time when we generate the most waste: 25% more than during any other time of the year. Unsurprisingly, much of this waste comes from gift wrapping. With just a little extra thought, you can help make a huge impact in reducing waste. Check out our Green Tips to learn how to gift wrap the eco way!

 

Combating Adirondack Park Overuse: There has been a huge surge in the amount of people at the Adirondack Park. The trails have seen the consequences of overuse through soil loss, erosion, loss of vegetation, and negative impacts on wildlife. 

 

News Roundup:

 

Our president Julie Tighe spoke with Spectrum News about why we need investments in environmental programs, including getting the $3 billion Environmental Bond Act back on the ballot, in order to combat climate change and create green and jobs. NYLCV is a part of the New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs coalition, which is advocating for these investments. Follow the coalition on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. (Spectrum News) 

 

Governor Cuomo signed legislation by Senator Kaminsky and Assemblymember Englebright to criminalize illegal dumping of waste, which can jeopardize public health, damage our waters, and lead to erosion. (My Twin Tiers) 

 

PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, were found in nearly 15% of private drinking wells tested near the former Northrop Grumman naval weapons site on Long Island. Sen. Chuck Schumer recently urged the Navy to connect the area with the public drinking water supply, rather than letting it continue to rely on wells, and expand its investigation into toxic chemicals at the site. (Newsday)

 

The Port Authority of NY & NJ board approved a project that will build solar panels over a parking lot at JFK Airport to power the AirTrain and produce energy for the local power grid. The project will produce 12 megawatts of electricity and will come with 2.5 megawatts of battery storage. (NY Daily News) 

 

Cornell University and New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education recently held their annual conference where they illustrated the connections between human health, social justice, and combating climate change. (News 10) 

 

A Central New York startup company is using hemp plastic to create sustainably-sourced bottles and coolers that reduce plastic use by 25%. (Spectrum News)

 

 

 

Sincerely,

New York League of Conservation Voters