Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S. 08

The New York Police Department is not 100% free of rotten cops, but it is very close. That is the message we received in session 8 of the Citizens Police Academy. One-third of 1%, is the number of crooked cops in the NYPD, according to Captain Servedio, of the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB).

How does IAB keep that number so low? They do it through random tests and targeted tests. There are random and targeted hair sample tests for every police officer, including top brass. Hair sample tests are more expensive than the urine tests, but apparently, are more accurate. There are random and targeted integrity tests, where the bad apples are provided opportunities to exhibit their malfeasance. Also, IAB recruits are plucked from the police academy and given the job to be the eyes and ears of the IAB among the rank and file officers in each precinct. IAB also keeps those numbers low through an anonymous hot-line where each caller receives a unique number to preserve their anonymity. In addition, the NYPD makes IAB service a mandatory requirement among officers selected for limited tenure IAB service.

So, who are these IAB officers who are policing the police? They are 646 officers, and a few civilians, of high integrity personally selected by the top police brass. Their mission is to "ensure the highest standard of integrity" within the NYPD.

Given all the scandals within the NYPD, do I buy this integrity thing, and that the IAB is all it is touted to be? The answer is "yes." I believe it not only because the instructor, Captain Servido, was a credible advocate for the IAB, but also because of an incident I witnessed a couple of weeks ago at the 123 Precinct on Staten Island.

As part of Mediation Settlement Day in Staten Island, the New York Center had some coffee and pastries for the officers in the training room at each of Staten Island’s three precincts. I noticed several dollars by one of the gym bags in the training room at the 123 Precinct. Concerned about someone taking the money, I mentioned the money to one of the officers. I was told to just leave the money alone, which I found very odd at the time. In the context of the integrity tests of the IAB, the officer's reaction made a lot of sense.

It is very unfortunate that there needs to even be integrity tests, and an IAB. But what is the alternative for the good officers, and the community the police serve? I think there is little alternative from the police side, than an honest IAB, if the NYPD is to honestly serve the community with integrity. After all, we are talking about 50,000, or so, officers. It would be a true miracle if none of them were dishonest.

Next week the gangs will be all there.

So will I!

NYSDRA Named in Law Suit

Lawsuit targets diocese panel -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:


The Albany Times Union reports that the NYS Dispute Resolution Association has been named with IMAP - the Independent Mediation Assistance Program - in a suit alleging the agency set up to help victims of clergy sex abuse fraudulently claimed it was independent of the diocese.

"ALBANY -- A California priest is suing the Albany Diocese's mediation panel, alleging the agency set up to help victims of clergy sex abuse fraudulently claimed it was independent of the diocese.

The Rev. Mark Jaufman is seeking $2 million in his federal court action filed this week on his behalf and that of other unnamed victims. The suit targets the Independent Mediation Assistance Program, or IMAP."

Jaufman's case has been before the agency for more than a year with no action. IMAP is scheduled to cease operations on Nov. 27.

IMAP was launched in 2004 with $5 million to help victims of clergy sex abuse. Last month, it said it had provided $1.8 million in financial assistance, along with counseling and other services to 31 people. At the time, Levine and Bishop Howard Hubbard announced that those who were minors when they were abused by diocesan priests had until Oct. 25 to request aid.

Battling bullies

This comment from aTennessee article about bullying caught my eye (my emphasis) --

Battling bullies: "The Mediation Center has 48 Pitt County students in classes last year, Crandall said. From those sessions, she learned children often receive mixed messages from adults.

'One thing I noticed from working with students is that when they tell a teacher, teachers call it tattling,' she said. When adults give students the advice to tell, they have to listen.

'Administrators need to listen, students need to take proactive strategies and friends need to stick up for friends and stick with friends,' she said.

Bullying is unacceptable, Crandall said. 'When it's a constant problem something needs to be done.'"

Mediation offers chance to prevent losing home

Here's a great Ohio mediation that grew out of a longstanding, successful civil court relationship with their mediation center.

Beacon Journal | 10/27/2006 | Mediation offers chance to prevent losing home: "The Summit County Common Pleas Court has used mediation in civil court cases for eight years, but only in the past 2 ½ years has it been recommended to help settle foreclosure cases.

Common pleas judges say the explosion of foreclosure proceedings in the county prompted the idea for a different approach. Sometimes the homeowner doesn't know what he or she can do and automatically gives up their home."

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.07

Session 7 of the Citizens Police Academy concerned the hot button issue of domestic violence. I came away from the session with the impression that domestic violence is a hereditary disease.
Sgt. Williams, the jovial, animated instructor, told us about his encounter with domestic violence as a rookie officer. This encounter concerned a 70 year old woman, and her husband of the same age. When Sgt. Williams and his partner initially responded to the residence he noticed that the woman had an enormous bump on her head. Her husband readily admitted causing the bump.
The home of a polite elderly couple with many years of marriage behind them, as well as numerous children and grandchildren, was not exactly the venue where Sgt. Williams had expected to encounter domestic violence. Still, there it was. The elderly abuser was quite polite, and forthcoming, so Sgt. Williams engaged him in a dialogue.
As a wet behind the ears rookie, and a newly married husband, Sgt. Williams was anxious to learn how the polite elderly patriarch could, at this late point in his life, find himself as a admitted domestic violence abuser. Sgt. Williams learned that on the eve of his wedding night, as his parting words, his father advised the young groom that the key to a happy marriage is by upholding the family tradition of domestic violence. This bit of fatherly wisdom, the elder patriarch admitted passing onto his sons. Even if fathers do not tell their sons, as with the elderly abuser, they show them. In this way the disease spreads.
Each day the police get 600 calls regarding domestic partnership incidents. A large number of these incidents become violent. So, what are the police doing about domestic violence? We learned, they are doing the best they can.
No law in the NYS Penal Code specifically targets domestic violence. The best the police can do is to take orders of protection seriously, (a violator is subject to immediate arrest), and to create a unit which follows up on domestic violence reports, (which they have). However, with just 300 domestic dispute officers citywide to cover a 600 call a day problem there will, of course, continue to be a problem. This disease is not helped by the fact that given the emotional nature of the issue, there is little space for the sort of discussions, and thought, which would work toward eradicating the disease.
New week we are onto counter terrorism. A hot button issue in its own way.
I am sooo already there!

One-stop shopping for social services: Too good to be true?

Recently, New York City launched an online site, ACCESS NYC, that allows individuals to determine if they or their family might be eligible for social services. Having recently gone through a family transition myself, I figured I would try the site out and see what assistance my family might be eligible for.

I entered the site and clicked on the version in English.

1. I was first asked to read the disclaimer and accept the guidelines.
2. I then was asked to provide the basic information. I began to wonder how much information I needed. Thank goodness only first names and birth dates were required information. No address or zip code was required.
3. Next I was asked about income for myself and my family. I did find this confusing because I didn't get all the options on the frequency 0f receipt of income. It took several tries for my annual income to come out right. Additionally, you are asked about the source of income. All this information is captured on the bottom of the page.
4. After income, questions came up about expenses. Since I had entered my name and my family member's name, it was easy to pull down. The only issue was that each expense had to be entered separately and saved.
5. The last questions were about our housing - own or rent.
6. The final screen provided what program resources were available to each of us. The available resource was one that I had heard about but I was reassured that it was a viable one.

Recommendations on how to use the site,

• Gather all your information together before use. (e.g.DOB, Income ($ and sources), Expenses (childcare, medical, etc).
• Have 15 minutes of uninterupted time
• Print out a report
• Remeber your user account if you want to update in the future.

My recommendation to the creators of the site site - create a checklist √. I.E. tell people ahead of time what they type of information they need to answer the questions.

For a brief article on the online eligibility system, click here. To begin, click on Access NYC.

What more local information? or a local resource, feel free to contact us at 718-815-4557.

A.C.T. - For the Children

Are you breaking up, separating or getting divorce and have children?

Want to know the best way YOU can be there for your children?

Consider what research has to offer.

• An unmanaged divorce is the number one factor that contributes to a poor childhood (ongoing parental conflict is number 5)
• Good Communication is the key to managing conflict.
• All feelings are okay; all behaviors are not.
• Keeping children out of the middle is something YOU can do something about.

What are the statistics in our community?

Until the twenty-first century, Staten Island's rates of divorce were below that of the national average. In fact, in 2000, they were half the national average and the second lowest in New York City.

In the 21st century, however, this statistic has changed. Staten Island divorce rates are on the rise by almost a full percentage point in 2003 and 2004. Many of these marriages involve children. A conference at the College of Staten Island identified many cultural factors that may contribute to the rise in divorce in our community

What other parents say about our A.C.T program...

The most significant idea taken from the program:

• There is hope. you are NOT alone. there are strategies
• Put your child's well-being above your own personal concerns
• Remove your personal feelings and focus on your beautiful child and their feelings
• Separate parenting from your marital role
• Better understanding of the legal process
• The situation could be worst and I have the ability to make it better

The NY Centertrainers are:

• excellent at this program.
• very nice, relating the information to different situations.
• personable, encouraging people to talk.
• responsive and able to provide concrete examples.

New York Center for Interpersonal Development is a certified parent education provider under the guidelines of the Parent Education Advisory Board of the State of New York

Some Fridays Are Better Than Others

Last Friday, Fordham University School of Law, in conjunction with their Feerick Center, presented a very well attended all day symposium on; “ADR as a Tool for Achieving Social Justice: Can the Promise of ADR Deliver Justice to Those in Need?” The mission of the symposium was to “provide a forum for active discussion about current problems affecting primarily low-income individuals and others generally disenfranchised from the political and judicial process.”
The symposium certainly did not provide “active discussion,” at least among the people I spoke with. Though I engaged in some lively discussions with colleagues, the discussions were not about the “current problems affecting primarily low-income individuals and others generally disenfranchised from the political and judicial process.” With the exception of Professor Michal Alberstein, and her talk regarding therapeutic jurisprudence, the symposium principally presented glimpses of how people did business, instead of challenging ideas about curing social ills.
Still, it was very good to meet up with colleagues, and put faces to names of the major players around New York City, such as the City’s Corporate Counsel, New York City’s Chief Administrative Judge, the Executive Director of Legal Services for New York City, the Attorney-in-Chief of The Legal Aid Society, representatives from Cardozo, John Jay, and Safe Horizon, as well Professor Feerick himself. To connect names with faces is empowering in its own way. In the end, putting a human face to bureaucracies may be the catalyst for achieving the social change the new center is actually looking for.

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.06

The overt intent of the Citizens Police Academy if for us, the community of NYC, to have a better idea of why the police do what they do, when they do it. In session 6 the very engaging Lieutenant Donnelly indeed, did give us the why, what, and when of police work.
At the conclusion of the session on the touchy subject (pun intended) of stop, question, and frisk, as people were beginning to shuffle out, Lieutenant Donnelly made a comment that in the clatter I am sure many people did not catch. By way of closure for the session Lieutenant Donnelly announced to the exiting throng, “I hope you are proud of us.”
In the context of Lieutenant Donnelly’s approach to the session his closing comment very much made sense. Several times during the session Lieutenant Donnelly talked about the criticism, “Is that what they teach you at the academy?” A criticism which reflects right back to Lieutenant Donnelly, and he was anxious to dispel. Also, in a moment of stark contrast to his usual levity Lieutenant Donnelly held up a Daily News about an officer being killed, weighted against a Daily News headline protesting some police misstep. Lieutenant Donnelly bridged the two headlines by not so subtly musing about why there was no protest over police officer’s deaths.
Am I proud of the NYPD? I would have to say “no.” I am glad that most of the officers I have met through training chose to be police officers. I am particularly impressed by those in leadership positions I have come in contact with. I have respect for the work the police do, and how, in most instances, they do their work well. Proud is somewhat narcissistic. Since I am not part of the NYPD, and no matter how well they do their job, I can never be part of the NYPD, I can never be proud of them. Pride also implies a warmth which is very difficult to have toward a group in the land of the free, who represent the limits to being free. Lieutenant Donnelly’s comment about being proud of the NYPD, sounded very close to a request to be liked. It seems the closest the police could come to being liked is to be understood and respected. Both these qualities are coming from me in doses with each new session.
I am looking forward to the next eye opening, and thought provoking class. Next week we will engage in domestic violence role plays.
Did I mention that I am already there?

Students rally in support of after-school programs

Teens and children gather on steps of Borough Hall to show their appreciation for influential, positive activities

Friday, October 13, 2006
By DEBORAH YOUNG
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

As the sun dipped low in the afternoon sky yesterday, packs of teen-agers loitered on the back steps of Borough Hall, pushing and heckling each other and aimlessly killing time.
But on the building's front steps, some 50 teens and children of elementary-school age gathered with purpose and energy: They carried banners and made speeches to support the after-school programs they credit with turning their lives around, as part of a nationwide "Lights On Afterschool" celebration.

"It's made a lot of difference," said Elliott Brathwaite, a junior at Port Richmond High School, who three days a week meets one-on-one with mentors, plays sports and video games and has rap sessions as part of the New York Center for Interpersonal Development's Project Success. "I used to be shy and now I'm a leader. I'm not afraid to speak up for myself and I have confidence."

The teen, whose grades and attendance were bottoming out before he joined the program [correction: unlike many in Project Success, Elliot has always been a good student] in January, now pulls an 80 percent average and works 20 hours a week as a cashier, a job he got in part because of his after-school mentors' help with his résumé. "You can talk to them one-on-one for tutoring or anything you need."

The New York Center for Interpersonal Development served nearly 1,500 Staten Island students in after-school programs last year at Port Richmond, Curtis, McKee, New Beginnings High School and PS 13, Rosebank.

The free-of-charge programs are among a number of after-school offerings Island and citywide that depend on grants and government funding to stay afloat.

This is the seventh year that the national, not-for-profit Afterschool Alliance has staged a "Lights On Afterschool" day -- with 7,500 such events held across the country -- to call attention to the importance of the programs, which keep children safe and educated and away from trouble while their parents are at work.

"These are positive places to go; the kids have a sense of community. I've seen kids go from being the ones starting fights in the parking lot to the kids trying to break up the brawls," said Mike Baver, a mentor or what students call a "personal advocate" in Port Richmond High School's after-school program. "I'll be playing Play Station with them and ask them how they did on their math tests. A lot of kids don't have those kinds of relationships. This is an opportunity for them to have positive role models."

Deborah Young is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at young@siadvance.com.

Who Thought That Was Funny???

The NY Center finally found a fundraiser where the staff can have a good time while they work. Take a look at the Flickr photo set of our second Comedy Night Fundraiser Angel put together for us.

You probably had to be there...

Gary Goes to the Citizens Police Academy – S.05

What makes a police officer a professional? What better way to show us what a true professional is then to show us by example what a professional is not?
This fifth session of the Citizens Police Academy dealt with emotional disturbed people. After an almost hour-long introduction to emotionally disturbed people we went into a role play with an emotionally disturbed person, using four hearty, (or foolish depending on your perspective), classmates of mine as police officers.
In the role play two fellow classmates, as officers, were summoned to a studio apartment. They were clearly had been handed the ball, but were uncertain which way to run with it. Hence, they readily called for backups, which were two more classmates. One of the back-ups attempted to step into the power vacuum. Unfortunately, by doing so she clearly rankled one of her fellow officers (i.e., classmates). Had the instructor not intervened, it might have become a royal rumble with the emotionally disturbed person and his sister arguing, and the four officers arguing among themselves.
So, what makes a police officer a professional?
I think it is not only the ability to work as part of a team, but also to know what your job is, and how to do that job. Though I would like to think my people skills in the role play would have been better than my classmates, I think I would have been just as lost as my classmates were about the job to do, and the resources to do the job. A professional would have not been lost and performed their job seamlessly, to the untrained eye.
If the goal of the Citizens Police Academy is for citizens to have clearer understanding of the police department, this last session was definitely one giant step toward that light.
Next week, Lieutenant Donnelly, Mr. Self-Proclaimed NYC King of Kicking Doors Down.
You guessed it; I am already there!

It's Not Too Late to Graduate!

The Young Adult Borough Center at Staten Island Technical High School

A Partnership between The Department of Education and The New York Center for Interpersonal Development

• Earn your High School Diploma in a full -time evening setting
• Gain Valuable Work Experience
• Individual Counseling
• Academic Tutoring
• Group Workshop

What is the YABC?

The YABC is a full time high school program designed to serve students ages 17 - 21 who have earned (17) credits. The center welcomes students who are not thriving in a traditional school setting, as well as young people who might have already "dropped out" of high school and have come to realized how important a High School Diploma is in today's world.

The Learning to Work Experience

"Learning to work" is an in-depth job readiness and career exploration component supported by the New York Center of Interpersonal Development. Our students are given the opportunity to explore potential careers by working in a paid internship. The YABC internship can also be used for elective credit. Our goal is to assist our students in zeroing in on the right career! The NYCID Job Developer and Career Counselor are on hand to offer Workshops such as "What do do on an Interview," "Resume Building," and "After You Have the Job Skills."

The Individual Counseling Element

With the help of the New York Center of Interpersonal Development, the YABC is able to provide personalized "one on one" counseling. NYCID counselors, spend time each week with students discussing "real life issues" and are on site to ensure that each student has all the tools he or she needs to succeed both personally and professionally.

The Academic Tutoring Element

The NYCID staffs a team of professional tutors who are on hand to offer FREE "one on one" tutoring for all YABC students. Additionally, SAT/ACT study periods are available.

Group Workshops

The NYCID staff conducts weekly "Real Life" workshops for the YABC students. Each workshop is geared toward ensuring that graduates of the program are aware of the important aspects of adult life. With workshops such as "Stress Management," Money Management," "Family Living," "Conflict Resolution" and many other topics, the NYCID staff is committed to educating and enhancing the perspectives of their students.

How to apply to the YABC

• You must be between the age of 17 - 21
• You must be enrolled in a NYC High School
• You must have a a minimum of 17 credits

Students who meet this criteria can contact their high school Guidance Counselor and request a referral to the YABC at SITHS.

Young people who are currently not enrolled in high school must contact the school they were discharged from and re-register before requesting a YABC referral.

The New York Center for Interpersonal Development Staff can be reached at (718)947-4065 or (646) 678-1806.

Stimulate your Students' Systems!

Hey All,

Michael here and I am coming to you with another brain teaser.

If you keep your kids guessing - you'll keep them thinking!

So the question is:

What is special about these four words?
what, hole, ales, test

The answer is right in there with the words!
Or at this link here below:
http://www.braingle.com/brainteasers/teaser.php?op=2;id=14660;comm=0

Keep these little teasers saved somewhere so that you can use them to get classes started. You can also use them as extra-credit or for contests!

Best,
~M~

How Do We Know the NY Center's Youth Programs Work?

As a grant writer making the case for additional funding, I have to find ways convince funders that their dollars will be well spent. They want to know the outcomes of previous projects, and they want us to design outcome measurement systems for the proposed project.

This Stanford Social Innovation Review article on outcomes raises significant drawbacks to this focus.

Hooray! Hooray! I'd much rather see us focus on a strong system for continuously improving our programs as we implement. The impact of our programs will be a mystery for many years to come.

Stanford Social Innovation Review : Articles : Drowning in Data (August 30, 2006):

"For example, poor black children who enrolled in the High/Scope Perry Preschool intervention in Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1962 were not faring much better than their control group counterparts several years after they left the program, at ages 7 and 8.

"But some 40 years later, the High/Scope Perry graduates are more likely to have earned college degrees, have a job, own a home, own a car, have a savings account, be married, and have raised their own kids, reports David L. Kirp in The New York Times Magazine. They are also less likely to have been on welfare, to have been arrested, or to have been sentenced to prison.4

"Funders who might have decided to pull the plug on the High/Scope Perry program, based on early data, would have killed a program that has yielded over $12 on every $1 invested.5"

Pass this article on to anyone requesting or granting money for non-profit projects. It's important!

Student Highlight at New Beginnings

“I wish New Beginnings was a four year high school. I would love to stay for four years. I say this because I absolutely love my time here and wish I never had to leave. We need more schools like New Beginnings.” - Quote from a student at New Beginnings High School.

Today, I have dreams of one day finishing what my famous uncle started – becoming a famous basketball player.

This student was born and raised on Staten Island and had many difficult challenges in his life. “I have learned a lot at New Beginnings. I feel that I am on the right track. I came to New Beginnings with three credits. Today, I am a proud member of the honor roll and have earned a total of nine credits. If I continue to do well here, I can go back to Curtis High School and follow my dreams of graduating and playing basketball.”

“When I was asked about the changes that I made and why I was no longer getting into trouble, my response was that I finally have a new perspective on life. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know what I have to do to get where I want to be and I remember where I have been and how it held me back. A lot of this was made clearer to me because of New Beginnings. I am not sure where I would be today if I never attended New Beginnings High School.”

“I thank the teachers and staff here because they have helped me to become a better person. I can speak with them and they listen to me. I know that when I have a problem I can turn to them for help and they will guide me in the right direction. I thank the New York Center and New Beginnings High School for giving me a second chance and an actual new beginning.”

This is an example of what the staff here instills in the students – the promise of a fresh start leading to a path of hope and accomplishment. It is through our hard work, dedication and building strong relationships that we empower our students to become empowered.

Thank you,
Diana Perez-Miller
Social Worker
New Beginnings High School
Tel: 718-947-4136
Email: Dpmiller@nycid.org

New Beginnings

Are you struggling trying to get your 9th grader to go to class? Is your child failing out of 9th grade and in jeopardy of repeating classes yet again? If you answered yes to these questions, we may have a solution for you. New Beginnings is a one-year, 9th grade program for students ages 15-16 1/2, with fewer than 5 credits.

Staten Island New Beginnings excepts a maximum of 60 students and is designed to provide a highly personalized and supportive school setting to your child.

Key components of our model are: team teaching, and a maximum class registers of 20. While instruction is structured on a core, standards-based curriculum, with concentrated academic support, New Beginnings also offers your child an opportunity to gain important leadership and life skills.

So, if you would or your child would, like to earn 12-14 credits and "get back on track", please call Michael Candella, director of new beginnings at 1-718-947-4135 or email to mcandella@nycid.org or contact our principal at 1-718-947-4142.