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NYS Justice Center eNews, April 2020
Agency Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

The Justice Center remains operational during the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, the agency is adjusting some work processes to be responsive to the people we serve and the dedicated people who provide services, whose health and safety remains the Justice Center’s top priority.
The Justice Center's reporting hotline remains operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Reports of allegations of abuse and neglect should continue to be made by calling 1-855-373-2122.  A web form for reporting may also be used.
The Justice Center’s Information Line remains open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.  General questions can be answered by calling 1-800-624-4143.
The work at the core of the Justice Center’s mission- investigating allegations of abuse and neglect and supporting individuals receiving services, continues to the full extent possible with modifications made to address social distancing and any special individual circumstances.  The agency is working hand-in-hand with various State Oversight Agencies to meet compliance with directives meant to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 as well as the ensure the health and safety of all individuals receiving services under Justice Center jurisdiction.  This includes seeking opportunities to complete work via phone rather than in-person.
Requirements for providers to run a criminal background check on prospective employees remain in place and the process is still functioning at this time.  More information on the process is available on the criminal background check page.
The COVID-19 outbreak is a rapidly developing situation and Justice Center operations are subject to further adjustment as situations warrant.
Individuals seeking opportunities to donate goods, services, or space to New York State for use during the COVID-19 pandemic can fill out a webform and will be contacted on an as-needed basis.

Justice Center Executive Director
Delivers Budget Testimony
NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Executive Director Denise Miranda testified in front of the State Legislature in February.  Ms. Miranda highlighted important agency initiatives over the past 12 months including the development of new trainings for agency investigators, implementation of the Sexual Abuse Response Team, additions to the agency's abuse prevention materials, and enhanced engagement with stakeholders.  In addition, Ms. Miranda highlighted the work done through corrective action plan audits, site visits, and systemic reviews as well as the engagement carried out by the Justice Center's advocates.
"We refuse to deviate from our mission because history has proven that this opens the door to bad actors who, for years, worked the system while hurting people" Ms. Miranda testified.  "Every day we work at evaluating where we can be more efficient and build collaboration both inside and outside of the agency.  Time and time again, we search for better ways to serve individuals, families, and stakeholders."
Following her testimony, Ms. Miranda answered questions from members of the Legislature on a variety of topics.
Code of Conduct Award
Nominations Now Open
Nominations are now open for the Justice Center's Code of Conduct Awards.  The honor is given to four individuals who embody the ethical standards outlined in the Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs.  The Code provides a framework intended to assist staff to help people with special needs "live self-directed meaningful lives in their communities, free from abuse and neglect, and protected from harm."  Anyone who signs the Code is eligible to be nominated. The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 3.  Winners will be announced in September.
Submit a Nomination
New Agency Self-Assessment Released
The Justice Center has produced a new agency self-assessment tool focused on preventing people from leaving care without consent.  This tool focuses on four areas: intake and assessment, preventing people from leaving care without consent, response when people leave care without consent, and response to people returning to care after being absent without consent. Agencies can use this self-assessment tool to identify areas of concern and devlop strategies to address risk.    Suggested strategies are included in the self-assessment tool.  The self-assessment is available for download at the button below or on the Justice Center website under "prevent abuse".
Self-Assessment
Census

The decennial census, the nation's once-per-decade, constitutionally-mandated count of every American, regardless of their citizenship status, is UNDERWAY NOW.  The decennial census is one of the nation's most important programs.
New Yorkers' fair share of federal funds for programs essential to health care, education, housing, economic development and transportation, as well as our congressional representation in Washington, all depends on an accurate and fully-counted census response.
Governor Cuomo has committed resources up to $70 million to develop a comprehensive, collaborative and ongoing effort to identify hard-to-count populations and identify the most effective ways to encourage participation in the census. These efforts included the creation of the New York State Complete Count Commission. The Commission held public hearings and events to gain public input and develop a comprehensive action plan.
Additionally, the NYS Complete Census Campaign is holding conferences across the state to inform counties and community-based organizations on how to apply for available State funding as well as best practices to coordinate efforts and resources to reach at-risk and hard-to-count communities.

Get Counted
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