CASES.Org - Archives

NEWS ARCHIVES

Mayor Bloomberg Announces New York City's Incarceration Rate Hits New Low - Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs, Chief Policy Advisor John Feinblatt, Correction Commissioner Dora B. Schriro and Probation Commissioner Vincent N. Schiraldi today announced an historic drop in the City’s incarceration rates. Since 2001, major felony crime in New York City has been reduced by 32 percent – a sharper decline than the rest of the nation.
Policy Research Associates Reviews CASES’ TCM Program - In August 2012, Policy Research Associates, with the support of the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation, completed a review of CASES’ Transitional Case Management (TCM) program. TCM is an alternative sentence of either 3 or 5 days of mandated case management sessions in the community, followed by up to 3 months of voluntary case management services, including linkage to community-based treatment providers. TCM targets repeat misdemeanor offenders with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders charged in New York Criminal Court.
Panel Discussion on Working with Justice-Involved Clients with Mental Illness - On October 5, 2012, the Center for Urban Community Services will host a panel discussion entitled The Myths of Realities of Risk: Working with Justice-Involved Mentally ill Individuals with Complex Needs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. This panel discussion will showcase the work of seasoned professionals from a variety of settings who will explore the issues, challenges, and opportunities of working with various sub-populations, including individuals with high risk factors for rearrest, individuals with personality disorders, and those with past violent criminal charges/behaviors.
CASES to Expand Mental Health Services with New Manhattan ACT Team - In October, CASES will assume leadership of the Manhattan Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. CASES was selected to lead the team by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) in a competitive application process. The CASES Manhattan ACT Team will provide comprehensive, community-based psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and support to persons with serious and persistent mental illness in northern Manhattan, including the communities of Harlem, Inwood, and Washington Heights.
CASES Celebrates Young Adult Justice Scholars Graduation - On August 2, 2012, CASES staff gathered with representatives of the NYC Department of Probation and the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to celebrate the first graduates of the Young Adult Justice Scholars (YAJS) program. As part of the six-month program, court-involved youth attend education and GED classes, receive case management and counseling, and complete work-readiness workshops and paid internships.
Delegation of Ethiopian Justice Officials Visits CASES - On July 25, several high-level officials involved in the Ethiopian justice system, including the Minister of Justice His Excellency Ato Berhan Haylu, met with CASES’ staff as part of a two-week learning program entitled “Justice for All” sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Power of Me, Power of We Presentation a Huge Success - On Friday June 29th, CASES transformed into a brilliant photo gallery thanks to a new collaborative project between the International Center of Photography, Friends of Island Academy, and CASES.
CASES to Offer New Criminal Court Program for Women - Thanks to the support of The van Ameringen Foundation, CASES will offer a new program in the New York County Criminal Court on July 1, 2012: The Criminal Court Diversion Program for Women.
Hundreds Rally At City Hall in Support of Increased Funding For Alternatives To Incarceration and Reentry Programs - Members of the New York Alternatives to Incarceration/Reentry Coalition, including The Fortune Society, gathered May 31st on the steps of New York City Hall in a rally to urge City, State and Federal leaders to increase funding and save Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programs across New York State.
CASES to Participate in Statewide Youth Workforce Development Program - On April 26th, CASES was awarded a $50,000 grant from the New York State Department of Labor to provide work readiness training and job placement services to unemployed youth in New York City.
Career Exploration Wins Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens - On March 30, 2012, CASES’ Career Exploration program was awarded a $3,500 grant by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens.
Nathaniel ACT Team Member Honored With National Reintegration Award - On April 16th, Kevin Cleare received the Lilly Reintegration Award at the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare's annual conference in Chicago.
Director of Adult Behavioral Health Programs Presents at National Training Conference - On March 8-9, 2012, Ann-Marie Louison, CASES' Director of Adult Behavioral Health Programs, participated in a national conference aimed at improving responses to people with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
Louison Participates on Panel at NYC Department of Probation's Professional Development Day - On January 24th, Ann-Marie Louison, CASES' Director of Adult Behavioral Health Programs, was a featured speaker on a discussion panel entitled "Probation Clients with Serious Mental Illness: Addressing both Criminogenic Risk and Mental Health and Recovery Needs" at the New York City Department of Probation's First Annual Professional Development Day.
NYC Department of Probation Selects CASES to Operate City-wide Education Program - CASES has received a $900,000 grant from the NYC Department of Probation to launch a new education program for youth who have been involved in the justice system. The Justice Scholars program, which will begin enrolling youth in January 2012, will serve justice-involved young men and women ages 16-24 throughout the city.
Brooklyn Treatment Court Recognizes Court Employment Project Staff - On December 8th, the Court Employment Project’s Will Beale was honored by Acting State Supreme Court Judge Jo Ann Ferdinand for leading the creation of the “Above the Streets” basketball league for court-involved youth.
CASES Featured as New York Nonprofit Press Agency of the Month - The November edition of the New York Nonprofit Press profiles CASES' programs, highlighting the agency's impact on the individuals it serves while saving taxpayer dollars.
Joel Copperman Appointed to Brooklyn for Brooklyn Advisory Board - On August 12th, CASES CEO Joel Copperman was selected by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to serve on the Advisory Board for its Brooklyn for Brooklyn Initiative (B4B).
CASES Awarded Civic Justice Corps Grant - On July 1st, CASES was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration to launch a new Civic Justice Corps program for youth with previous involvement in the justice system.
ATI/Reentry Programs Rally at City Hall - CASES thanks all those that joined us at City Hall on June 13th to urge City and State leaders to continue to support our programs.
CASES and DOHMH Co-Host Roundtable Discussion on Forensic Assertive Community Treatment - On May 13th, 2011, CASES and DOHMH convened a roundtable discussion on the effectiveness of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for people with serious mental illness involved in the criminal justice system.
Learning to Work Program Presents at Workforce Conference in California - On April 22nd, 2011, CASES' Learning to Work Program, led by Program Director Greg Wise, presented at the California Workforce Association's Annual Spring Conference in San Diego, California.
CASES Joins NYEC's Postsecondary Success Initiative - Under a grant from the National Youth Employment Coalition, CASES will work in partnership with the CUNY Black Male Initiative to help 20 court-involved students enroll and succeed in college annually.
CASES Testifies Before City Council Committee on Juvenile Justice - On April 29, 2011, Steven Perez, Deputy Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis, testified at a hearing regarding the role of the New York City Department of Probation in the juvenile justice system.
CASES is proud to be a supporter of HSC's "Who Cares? I Do." Campaign. - HSC launched this campaign to spread awareness of the impact funding cuts have on New York's individuals, families, communities and economy.
CASES Named Semifinalist for The 2011 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards - On February 25th, 2011, CASES was recognized by the New York Times Company, the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, and Philanthropy New York as a 2011 semifinalist for The New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
Director of Mental Health Programs Presents at National Training and Technical Assistance Conference - On February 10th, 2011, Anne-Marie Louison, CASES' Director of Mental Health Programs, participated in a national conference aimed at improving responses to people with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
CASES CEO Receives Sara Tullar Fasoldt Leadership and Humanitarian Award - On February 4th, 2011, OPCA State Director Robert Maccarone visited CASES to present Joel Copperman with the Sara Tullar Fasoldt Leadership and Humanitarian Award.
Director of Youth Programs Receives Lewis Hine Award for Service to Children and Youth - On January 19th, 2011, Joseph McLaughlin, CASES’ Director of Youth Programs, was selected by the National Child Labor Committee as a recipient of the prestigious Lewis Hine Award for Service to Children and Youth.
CASES Releases 2010 Annual Report - The agency's annual report highlights recent program accomplishments and client success stories as well as financial and program data for Fiscal Year 2010.
Nathaniel ACT Team Leader Receives Emerging Social Work Leader Award - The National Association of Social Workers - New York City Chapter honored Bradley Jacobs, CASES’ Nathaniel ACT Team Leader, at its 4th Annual Leadership Dinner on December 2, 2010.
TCM Releases Report on First Three Years of Program Operations - On October 7, 2010, CASES' Transitional Case Management Program shared results from an internal study of the program's first three years of operations with members of the New York County Mental Health Diversion Workgroup.
ATI/Reentry Coalition Congratulates Cuomo and Elected Legislators, Urges Restored Funding - Coalition of nonprofits calls on newly-elected leaders to restore funding for programs that have saved the state millions of dollars every year.
CASES Celebrates Annual Thanksgiving Dinner with Program Participants - In keeping with its annual tradition, CASES staff organized Thanksgiving meals for participants in the Nathaniel ACT program and the Court Employment Project.
CASES Hosts OPCA Fundamentals of Community Corrections Training - From September 27-30, 2010, CASES hosted Yvonne Behan, Nancy Andino, and Cindy Trimble from the Department of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) as they conducted the New York State Fundamentals of Community Corrections training.
"Rikers' Regulars" - The Gotham Gazette recently interviewed CASES CEO Joel Copperman on progress the city is making to better respond to individuals with mental illness in the custody of the Department of Correction.
Brazil's National Council on Criminal and Penitentiary Policy Visits CASES - On July 22, 2010, members of Brazil’s National Council on Criminal and Penitentiary Policy, accompanied by a professor from American University in Washington DC, visited CASES to learn about alternatives to incarceration.
Joel Copperman Named Board Chair of Human Services Council - On July 1, 2010, Joel Copperman succeeded Nancy Wackstein as the Chair of the Human Services Council's Board of Directors. (www.humanservicescouncil.org)
CASES Testifies Before City Council Committee on Juvenile Justice - On June 24, 2010, Steven Perez, Deputy Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis, testified at an oversight hearing examining whether or not the Bridges (Spofford) Juvenile Center should be closed.
CASES Peer Specialist Selected to Participate in DOHMH Training - Brian Wilkins, a peer specialist in CASES’ Parole Restoration Project (PRP), was one of twenty-five applicants selected to participate in the "Mind Your Health Peer Coaching Program" through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
YouthAction NYC Visit - On May 12, 2010, CASES hosted a group of students from YouthAction NYC to educate young advocates about the juvenile justice system and the benefits of placing youth in alternative-to-incarceration (ATI) programs.
Above the Streets Basketball League Encourages Youth to Make Positive Choices - The Above the Streets (ATS) Basketball League was created by CASES staff and is designed for agencies working with youth and young adults (ages 16-24) from all walks of life to help them confront the challenges they face on a daily basis. ATS targets youth that have made mistakes and are willing to make an effort to correct them.
U.S. Sentencing Commission Pushes for Expansion of Alternatives to Incarceration - The U.S. Sentencing Commission submitted amendments to federal sentencing guidelines on April 29, 2010. The new guidelines, which give greater flexibility to courts and increase the availability of alternative sentencing options, will take effect on November 1st if not disapproved by Congress.
CASES vs. Phoenix House Youth Sports Challenge - The First Annual CASES/Phoenix House Youth Sports Challenge will take place on Friday, July 16, 2010. The goal of the event is to promote sports as a positive lifestyle choice for young people.
CASES Awarded State Contract to Expand Alternative to Detention Services in Manhattan - On April 27, 2010 the New York State Office of Children and Family Services announced the award of a Community Reinvestment Program contract to CASES to serve youth involved in the Family Court system in their communities rather than placing them in costly residential facilities far from home.
Task Force Finds Crisis in New York's Juvenile Justice System - In September 2008, Governor David A. Paterson created the Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice to help the state shift from its punitive approach toward a rehabilitative, treatment-focused model of care that promotes public safety, holds youth accountable for their actions, and produces positive outcomes for young people and their families. In its recent report, the Task Force offers 20 recommendations for reducing the use of institutional placement and expanding alternatives; eliminating inequities across the system, particularly those that disproportionately impact youth of color; improving the supports and services provided to young people in state custody and upon release; and ensuring system accountability and transparency.
Statement of CASES' CEO/President to the United States Sentencing Commission - In response to the United States Sentencing Commission's request for public comment on proposed guideline amendments regarding whether defendants with a mental or emotional condition should be eligible for alternative to incarceration programs, CASES submitted the following statement.
CASES Youth Attend Private Screening of "Precious" with Cast Members - On December 21, 2009, 26 CASES clients and staff attended a private screening of the Academy Award nominated film "Precious" at the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas, presented by the New York International Latino Film Festival, McCray Media + Co LLC, and Beyond Influencing Da Hood (BIDH).
CASES Asks City to Continue to Support the ATI/Reentry Coalition - Recently, CASES provided testimony on the impact of our GED and mental health programs at New York City Council Preliminary Budget Hearings.
Employment Initiatives Aim to Increase Hiring and Retention of Youth and the Mentally Ill - At a time when unemployment rates are at record levels and even highly skilled workers are facing a challenging job market, CASES has launched two new initiatives for court-involved adults with mental illness and youth to help improve their chances for success in the workforce.