Agenda
Date: 12/14/23
Time: 10AM-11:30AM
*Hosted via Microsoft Teams and requires registration to join
Speakers:
Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health
Molly Schaeffer, Interim Director, Office of Asylum Seeker Operations
Manuel Castro, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Laura Rog, Chief Service Officer, NYC Service
Arrizu Sirjani, Office to End Domestic & Gender Based Violence
Tamara Mair, NYC Public Schools
Tammy Nin, NYC Public Schools
David Schmid, New York City Emergency Management
Tom Tortorici, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Young Kwon, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Joann Villacres, NYC Service
Email List and Permission to Share
Please complete the form if you would like to allow NYC Service to:
Email you about updates related to asylum seeker coordination efforts
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Meeting Summary
December’s call brought together 212 representatives from more than 220 organizations across the city, who are on the ground meeting the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of new arrivals. Together with a whole of government approach, the private and public sector continue to work in partnership to provide the supports needed to this population. Based on the current trends, the influx of newcomers continues to increase, with close to 4,000 people arriving just last week.
Based on feedback from previous calls, we invited several agency partners to share the great work they are doing in this space, including:
NYC Public Schools gave an overview of the supports newly arrived and enrolled students are being provided, including work happening under Project Open Arms and the opening of various Care Closets across different schools in all boroughs. These care closets are providing children and families with warm clothing, personal care kits, coats and shoes and other items, to help ease the transition into everyday life in NYC.
The Office to End Domestic & Gender Based Violence, given the rise of intimate partner violence, provided information on how to safely access resources and supports, including a walkthrough of Family Justice Centers, the Abusive Partner Intervention Program, Know Your Rights in the workplace and other timely resources.
NYC Service shared an opportunity to apply for added capacity to your organizations by bringing on an AmeriCorps Service Member(s), for a 10-month long service term. Members are placed at organizations to serve 40-hours/week for 10 months starting September 2024 – June 2025, and focus on meeting the needs of community-based organizations, including building volunteer programs, and volunteer recruitment, community engagement, and other projects.
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs provided resources on how to spot and avoid fraud, particularly the prevalence of a new scam, with asylum seekers and TPS applicants receiving fake notices from USCIS, claiming to have an outstanding fee and follow up happening via phone directly to individuals. If you come across any such instances, please be sure to reach out to this office, together we can provide the right types of referrals. Additionally, the Language Access Team shared the launch of an upcoming community-based language access survey that will be deployed shortly to gauge the needs and challenges of organizations across the city in accessing and providing language supports.
New York City Emergency Management spoke about the work happening at St. Brigid’s, the city's new Relocation and Reticketing Center, for those looking to leave NYC and settle elsewhere within the country. Emphasis was given on cultural and language competency for best serving these new arrivals, recruiting linguistically appropriate staff and working with local community-based partners to increase language capacity.
RESOURCES | Presentations discussed at the December 14th call listed here:
Students in Temporary Housing | View detailed information online
Please Support Project Open Arms! Join a Borough Response Team to create sustainable support such as organizing food and clothing drives, resource fairs, and listening sessions/focus groups.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, and Chancellor's Regulation A-780, a student in temporary housing has the right to:
A free public education
To stay in their current school or choose to attend a zoned school
Not be denied immediate school enrollment because of their temporary housing status or they lack enrollment documentation
Transportation services to and from school
Receive all services and supports comparable to those offered to other students
Continue to receive special education services regardless of school transfer
Individualized college counseling if they are an unaccompanied youth
Mayor’s Office to End Domestic & Gender Based Violence (ENDGBV)
Programming and Support: NYC HOPE | Family Justice Centers | Respect & Responsibility: An Abusive Partner Intervention Program
AmeriCorps Programming | Access Applications and Register for an Info Session
Code Blue Drop-In Shelter information | Download DHS' intake centers and drop-in centers outreach flyer
View a list of DHS' intake centers and drop-in centers
Mental Health Resources
Office of Community and Mental Health Resources for Providers:
Mental Health First Aid Training:
Free youth or adult mental health first aid training for staff. Trainings are available in English and other languages. Register for a training: https://ocet.timetap.com/
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training – English: A free 8-hour training to all New Yorkers. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a groundbreaking public education program that teaches the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges and crises. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care. Like CPR, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of the professionals.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an 8-hour public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds an understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions to provide initial help and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
The Academy for Community Behavioral Health: The Academy provides training, coaching, and technical assistance that build the capacity of community-based organizations, City/State agencies, and other social service providers to address behavioral health. The Academy equips social service providers with actionable behavioral health skills, supports them to manage the emotional demands of their work, and advances community-centered care models. Course offerings are available on the website and there is a mailing list organizations and individuals can join to receive regular updates
Psychological First Aid training (evidence informed approach to help in the aftermath of stressful and traumatic events): https://www.academy4cbh.org/courses/3473505/ :
New York City Bar Association & NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
If you are currently working with or have worked with asylum cases that involve persons suffering fear and persecution, you may be experiencing vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma can occur when an attorney has indirect exposure to trauma through firsthand accounts of client’s traumatic events.
Immediate Crisis: Virtual ExpressCare offered by NYC Health + Hospitals is an innovative and easily accessible way to get help when you need it the most. You are able see a provider for mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues that are not emergencies.
You can choose to see a provider over video or phone 24/7. You must be in the state of New York at the time of your call. We treat many behavioral health conditions including burnout, anxiety, depression substance use disorders and other emotional distress. You may access the service by:
Website: https://expresscare.nyc/
Phone : (631)-397-2273
*Resources shared from our October CBO Convening
Should there be outdated information, refer to the main agency website for details
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES, RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS
Supports for Asylum Seekers:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/asylum-seekers/asylum-seeker-resources.page
Asylum Seeker Legal Assistance Network (Translations available in English, Spanish, Russian, Haitian Creole and French):
Pro Se Plus Project & Self-Help Materials:
https://www.proseplusnyc.org/resources-2
NYC Immigration Legal Services Hotline (ActionNYC Hotline):
The City of New York offers New Yorkers free, safe immigration legal help in a network of trusted community-based organizations at community sites, public health facilities, public schools, and libraries. Services are provided in your language. Your immigration status does not matter.
You can call the City-funded, free and safe Immigration Legal Hotline at 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say "ActionNYC," between 9AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday, to get:
Answers to immigration-related questions
Information on immigration policy
Connections to City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help including comprehensive immigration legal screenings and legal representation
Referrals to other community-based resources and support services
Information about how to recognize and avoid immigration services fraud
https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/actionnyc.page
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project: https://www.asylumadvocacy.org/
Recognizing & Avoiding Becoming the Victim of Immigration Services Fraud:
“Immigration fraud” means immigration legal services-related scams that target vulnerable immigrant New Yorkers. Immigration fraud, as described here, can be by attorneys and non-attorneys. It can also be by others who engage in other fraudulent acts such as phone scams and impersonations threatening immigration consequences. Immigration fraud is widespread in immigrant communities and the consequences can be severe – for those committing fraud and their victims.
Avoid Becoming the Victim of Immigration Fraud: Avoid Fraud - MOIA (nyc.gov)
Immigrant Affairs Hotline: 212-788-7654
Immigration Legal Hotline: 800-354-0365
American Dream Works - Work Opportunities for Asylum Seekers:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/sbs/careers/american-dream-works.page
Immigrant Workers:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/programs/social-economic/immigrant-workers.page
Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers (Translations available in 50 languages):
https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/city-services.page
NYC Immigration Legal Hotline: 1 (800)-354-0365
NYS Office of New Americans Hotline: 1 (800)-566-7636
CUNY Citizenship Now! Hotline: 1-646-664-9400
NYS Immigration Services Fraud Hotline: 1 (800)-771-7755
MENTAL HEALTH
The Academy for Community Behavioral Health
The Academy provides training, coaching, and technical assistance that build the capacity of community-based organizations, City/State agencies, and other social service providers to address behavioral health. The Academy equips social service providers with actionable behavioral health skills, supports them to manage the emotional demands of their work, and advances community-centered care models. Course offerings are available on the website and there is a mailing list organizations and individuals can join to receive regular updates
Psychological First Aid training (evidence informed approach to help in the aftermath of stressful and traumatic events):
https://www.academy4cbh.org/courses/3473505/
This guide provides resources that providers and all those helping asylum seekers can use to enhance emotional health and wellness of asylum-seeking children and caregivers. These resources have been curated to ensure relevance, quality, and ease of access. Information about how to access mental health services in NYC is also included. This information also applies to the adult asylum seeker population.
OCMH Mental Health Resources for Providers:
https://www.academy4cbh.org/courses/calendar/
Mental Health First Aid Training:
Free youth or adult mental health first aid training for staff. Trainings are available in English and other languages. Register for a training: https://ocet.timetap.com/
Adult Mental Health First Aid - English
A free 8-hour training to all New Yorkers. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a groundbreaking public education program that teaches the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges and crises. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care. Like CPR, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of the professionals.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an 8-hour public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds an understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions to provide initial help and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
New York City Bar Association & NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
If you are currently working with or have worked with asylum cases that involve persons suffering fear and persecution, you may be experiencing vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma can occur when an attorney has indirect exposure to trauma through firsthand accounts of client’s traumatic events.
Immediate Crisis:
Virtual ExpressCare offered by NYC Health + Hospitals is an innovative and easily accessible way to get help when you need it the most. You are able see a provider for mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues that are not emergencies.
You can choose to see a provider over video or phone 24/7. You must be in the state of New York at the time of your call. We treat many behavioral health conditions including burnout, anxiety, depression substance use disorders and other emotional distress. You may access the service by:
Website: https://expresscare.nyc/
Phone: (631)-397-2273
Support for Lawyers:
Please contact the LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LAP). LAP is a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL service, available to attorneys, judges, law students and their families, who are struggling with mental health, substance use, personal and professional issues, including depression, anxiety, stress and vicarious trauma. Services are available without bar membership. The three LAP programs in NY State provide: Connection to peer support, individual and group support, brief one-to-one counseling, and referrals to treatment providers. For lawyers who reside or work in the five boroughs of NYC and Westchester County.
Contact:
Eileen Travis, LAP Executive Director, etravis@nycbar.org
Michelle Cuevas, Clinical Coordinator, mcuevas@nycbar.org, 212-302-5787
Drop-In Support Group:
Will begin in August 2023. Please contact mcuevas@nycbar.org for the HIPAA-protected Zoom invite. NYS Bar Association LAP for lawyers who reside or work in all upstate counties north of Westchester County.
Stacey Whiteley, LAP Director
518.360.2352 text/call
24/7 Hotline:
877.772.8835 24/7 hotline staffed with mental health professionals to provide crisis assistance, and if requested, referral to four free counseling sessions.
Nassau County:
Jennifer Clayton, LMSW for brief support
518.487.5573
Nassau County Bar Association:
LAP for lawyers who reside or work in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Beth Eckhardt, LAP Director
516.517.2618
Lawyers Depression Project
(www.lawyersdepressionproject.org) – a non-profit providing a global, online peer support community including weekly meetings for legal professionals (not just lawyers) who have experienced mental health issues (not just depression). For more information or to join, please visit our website or contact its Co-Founder, Joseph Milowic III at joe@knowtime.com.
General Resources
https://www.nycbar.org/serving-the-community/help-support-mental-health-and-wellbeing
LANGUAGE SERVICE VENDORS
Colibrí Interpreters Collective
https://www.pueblostransnacionales.org/colibr-interpreters-collective (Indigenous languages)
International Child Program
http://www.internationalchildprogram.org/ (African languages)
AfriLingual, recently launched coop of African Communities Together (ACT)
Kichwa Hatari
https://www.kichwahatari.org/ (interpretation services for Quechua/Kichwa community)
Gongming Collective
https://gongmingcollective.com/ (mostly Chinese dialects)
NYC Small Business Services Online Directory
https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/ (search for “translation” or “interpretation”)
Language Line will extend its NY State OGS contract pricing to CBOs. (telephonic interpretation)
Donate supplies:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/asylum-seekers/support-asylum-seekers.page
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC helps low-income women and their children buy food. You’ll get an eWIC card for buying food. You’ll also get access to services like nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other programs.
NYC: https://access.nyc.gov/programs/women-infants-and-children-wic/
NYS: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/
Depart of Youth and Community Development: https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home
NYC Contacts:
Eva Wong, Executive Directive, Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH), ewong@cityhall.nyc.gov; nyc.gov/mentalhealth
Eileen Reyes Arias, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, ereyesarias@moia.nyc.gov;
Steph Halpin, Chief of Staff and Communications, NYC YC Service, shalpin@cityhall.nyc.gov
Tom Tortorici, Executive Director of Legal and Support Initiatives, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, ttortorici@moia.nyc.gov
Workforce Contact: Tim Currier, Team: Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, tcurrier@talent.nyc.gov
Email Department of Youth and Community Development: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dycd/connected/email-community-connect.page
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