Osborne Association

We've had an incredible month. Check out our newsletter for some of the highlights, including: 💼 Workforce leadership: Michelle Howard joined an NYC panel on justice reform, Steuben Vega broke barriers in Amsterdam News, & Petal Fogenay-Foster was named a Workforce Academy Fellow. Read the December newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/exHhvZkk Sign up for the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/dUzzx8SF

We're happy to announce that Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Child-Sensitive Arrest Bill into law yesterday! The bill will help to minimize trauma for the thousands of children across the state who are present during the arrest of a parent each year. Read our statement on the bill's passing!

Tune in to Capitol Press Room to hear Tanya Krupat, our VP of Policy & Advocacy, and See Us Support Us leader Jamila Small discuss why in-person visitation is vital for families of incarcerated individuals—and the need to pass the Protect In-Person Visits bill. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/exmMnj5k

Spread holiday cheer through our annual #ToyDrive for children of incarcerated parents—one of the most overlooked populations during the holiday season. Shop from their curated wishlist. 🧸 Purchase a toy from this link: https://lnkd.in/epkTCPBm

In a powerful op-ed, Brendan Cox, Chief of Albany Police, and Raymond Rodriguez, a former Youth Action Council member, urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Child-Sensitive Arrest Bill into law. This bill seeks to address the emotional trauma children face when witnessing a parent's arrest by providing law enforcement with clear guidelines, tools, and training to handle these situations with care. Each year, thousands of children across New York witness their parent’s arrest, often leaving lasting emotional scars. While some departments, like Albany’s, have implemented policies to address this issue, the lack of widespread protocols leaves many children vulnerable. The Child-Sensitive Arrest Bill aims to protect these children, help officers navigate these difficult moments, and strengthen trust between police and communities. For both Cox and Rodriguez, this bill is deeply personal. Rodriguez, who witnessed his father’s arrest as a child, shares his story to prevent other children from enduring similar trauma. By signing this bill, Governor Hochul can set a new standard for how law enforcement interacts with children, demonstrating leadership and compassion for New York’s children. It’s time to act and protect our most vulnerable. To support the Child Sensitive Arrest Bill, visit the See Us Support Site https://lnkd.in/e_4J8rCY to learn how you can take action and help protect children in New York State. Together, we can ensure this crucial bill becomes law! Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/ecAQ88ik

🗓 UPCOMING EVENT: How can public health drive equity in the criminal legal system and support justice-involved individuals? Join Mervin Otero, Osborne Program Manager of the Corrections Health Initiative (CHI), and other experts tomorrow (Thurs, Dec 12, at John Jay College (CUNY) to discuss the healthcare challenges and needs of justice-involved populations. This timely event will highlight solutions to improve cross-sector collaboration and health outcomes. Justice involvement often exacerbates barriers to healthcare access. This event will explore how public health can act as a prevention and reentry strategy, while leveraging new funding opportunities to serve these populations effectively. ➡️ Register to join in person or virtually! https://bit.ly/3YKqzMX Hosted by Data Collaborative for Justice and From Punishment to Public Health at John Jay College.

JUST RELEASED: White paper from the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition highlights uneven access to alternatives to incarceration (ATIs) and reentry programs, particularly in Western and Upstate NYS, and outlines how to effectively scale these crucial services, which have been proven to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, boost employment rates, and generate significant savings for taxpayers. Analyzing new data collected through a statewide provider survey, five county-level roundtables, and focus groups with program participants, the paper elevates the critical voices and perspectives of those with lived experience and offers informed recommendations on how to eliminate service deserts in parts of the state that are now facing the highest rates of incarceration. Learn more here: ➡bit.ly/ATIreportPR⬅

Today, December 4 from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET Laura Roan, Osborne's Vice President of Prison Services, will be a speaker on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s GAINS Center webinar, Improving Behavioral Health Care for Older Adults in the Criminal Justice System, with Stephanie Grace Prost to explore the current need for improved behavioral health strategies for aging adults and critical partnerships between correctional facilities and state- or community-based agencies. Emerging best practices for addressing the behavioral health needs of aging populations in the criminal justice system will also be presented.   RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ej-snDcs

This #GivingTuesday, join us in our mission to serve individuals, families, and communities affected by the criminal legal system, offering opportunities for people to heal from and repair harm, restore their lives, and thrive. Here are a few ways a gift today can be put to use immediately: 👩👧👦 Successful reentry starts inside and Osborne's programming is helping to pave the way. A gift of $1,000 provides a month of comprehensive case management and trauma-informed care for one person returning to the community after incarceration. 🏠 Through our Kinship Reentry Housing Program, we are providing families with the resources for successful reentry. A gift of $500 provides one month of financial support for a family that is housing a loved one following their release. 🪪 Our Fulton Community Reentry Center is providing reentry support and transitional housing in a former prison. A gift of $250 funds five welcome packages with essentials like toiletries and bedding. 💼 Osborne's Court Advocacy Services recently expanded to Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, and Westchester counties. A gift of $100 can provide an hour of mitigation services to prevent someone who can't afford bail from pre-trial detention. 🧺 Osborne's Court Advocacy Services is expanding our services to more New York State counties. A $100 gift prevents pre-trial detention by providing an hour of mitigation services. 📚 Osborne's FamilyWorks program supports fathers in building strong relationships with their children both during incarceration and after their release through our parenting course. A gift of $50 supplies two fathers with course materials to complete a parenting class while incarcerated. Make a lasting impact this Giving Tuesday. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/eQJgEmEx

Today is #GivingTuesday! For over 90 years, Osborne has been a beacon of hope, providing critical services such as alternatives to incarceration, education and support to incarcerated people and their families, and reentry support including new housing ventures. We're dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for those impacted by incarceration, strengthening families and communities, and transforming the criminal legal system. Your support enables Osborne Association to touch the lives of over 14,000 people each year. With your help, we can continue to deliver our vital services across New York State. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/eQJgEmEx