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You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the New York State Reentry Resource Center, a network of more than 2,000 advocates and direct service providers from all around the state. Each month, we bring you resource highlights, news, and policy updates from the online resource center.
Note: If your Internet browser blocks pop-ups, hold the Ctrl key while you click on individual resources to download them directly.
*The Adoption & Safe Families Act (ASFA) Expanded Discretion Bill Becomes Law*
Governor Patterson recently signed the Adoption and Safe Families ACT (ASFA) Expanded Discretion Bill, which would end the compulsory nature of the 15-month time limit for kids who land in foster care because a parent is incarcerated or enrolled in a residential drug treatment program. Click here to read more from the correctional association.
*NY Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Survivors of Trafficking to Vacate Prostitution Convictions*
This bill (A.7670/S.4429) "permits motions to vacate judgment against victims of sex trafficking for certain prostitution offenses." Governor Paterson is expected to sign the bill into law, amending New York State Criminal Procedure Law. Click here to read the press release from the Sex Workers Project.
*Resource Highlights*
Coming Home - A Resource Guide for Reentrants and Their Families: The Upper Manhattan Reentry Task Force has updated its resource guide for returning individuals and their families. The Guide contains listing of many organization providing various services including employment, housing, education, health, and legal services.
Intersection of Fair Housing Laws/ADA and Criminal Activity Bars in Federally Assisted Housing: Presentation by Monroe County Legal Assistance Center provides an overview on the barriers to federal housing benefits relating to criminal activity admission policies and standards. The presentation also covers eligibility to reasonable accommodation for individuals with mental illness and substance abuse disabilities.
Reentry Housing Options: The Policymakers' Guide: This policy guide by the Council of State Governments Justice Center provides practical steps that lawmakers and others can take to increase public safety through better access to affordable housing for individuals released to the community. It offers an overview of several commonly accessed housing options and also examines three distinct approaches to increasing the availability of these options: improving access, increasing housing stock and revitalizing neighborhoods.
US House of Representatives Hearing on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions - Barriers to Reentry for the Formerly Incarcerated: Video webcast and testimonies from the recent hearing on Collateral consequences of criminal conviction before the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee. Witness list includes The Sentencing Project, National Employment Law Project, and DC Employment Justice Center.
Behind Bars II - Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population: New report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University constitutes the most exhaustive analysis ever undertaken to identify the extent to which alcohol and other drugs are implicated in the crimes and incarceration of America's prison populationThe report found that the number of inmates who were substance involved shot up by 43 percent to 1.9 million inmates and concludes that the situation has been getting worse since its initial study over a decade ago despite greater recognition of the problem and potential solutions.
More Mentally Ill Persons are in Jails and Prisons than Hospitals: A Survey of the States: The findings of a 50-state survey conducted by Treatment Advocacy Center and the National Sheriffs' Association are presented in this report revealing that mentally ill individuals are three times more likely to be in jails than in psychiatric hospitals. The report highlights estimates of the number of incarcerated people with mental illness from Onoganda, Monroe and Niagra Counties in New York State with 20 percent, 30 percent and 25 percent respectively.
Remember to visit Past Resources of the Week for highlighted reports, toolkits, and training materials from the past year.
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*Upcoming Events*
The Bronx Defenders Community Block Party: Join The Bronx Defenders to celebrate our community on Wednesday, June 30th 2010 at our annual block party. The Bronx Defenders Community Block Party is a fun, safe venue for children and community members to enjoy free food, music and entertainment, play games, participate in arts and crafts, register to vote, compete in a basketball tournament, and connect with local community groups and organizations. The block party will be held from 12PM - 5PM.
Certificate of Relief from Disabilities and Good Conduct Clinic: The Fortune Society's David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP) has partnered with LaGuardia Community College to offer a Certificate of Relief From Disabilities and Certificate of Good Conduct Clinic for formerly incarcerated people who need assistance with the application process. A Certificate can assist when looking for work or applying for an occupational license. It is considered as evidence of "rehabilitation." The Clinic will be held on July 7th at 1PM and July 15th at 4:45PM. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Ismael Cedeno at icedeno@fortunesociety.org.
MoMA Community Partnership Art Show: Touching upon a diverse range of subjects, themes,cultures, and mediums, the work is presented as a collaboration between the Museum and a multitude of New York City's community-based organizations. Featured institutions include: Housing Works, Passages Academy, Fortune Society, Project Reach Youth, F*E*G*S, YWCA Fresh Start, and Midtown Community Court's WISE Program. The show will be held on July 13 at 5:30 PM. For more information, contact Community Programs at (212) 408-6347 or communityprograms@moma.org
Coalition for Parole Restoration - Parole Packet Workshop: Coalition for Parole Restoration (CPR) will hold a workshop on the preparation of a release plan (also called a "Parole Packet") and to disseminate information pertaining to New York State Division Parole, its Policies and their Practices on Parole Release. The Workshop costs $20 which includes, 1 year CPR Membership covers incarcerated loved one, also includes "Deuce Club" newsletter, CPR's Parole Preparation Manual and family support group. For more information or to register, please contact Mark Mcphee at (718 786-4174.
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