Thursday, December 26, 2024
12/26/2024
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in collaboration with well-established community organizations and agencies such as RiseBoro, Christopher Rose Community Empowerment Campaign (CRCEC), Maimonides Medical Center, Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center, and an Early Diversion Partner, seeks funding under NOFO # SM-23-012 for the Partnerships for Early Diversion of Youth (PEDY) program. PEDY aims to build equity-informed community capacity in Brooklyn neighborhoods that have been identified by the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE) as among the hardest-hit communities post-COVID, with significant health and social disparities. PEDY is designed to divert diverse youth, aged 13-21 years, from the juvenile justice system to community-based mental health, substance use disorder (SUD), and other support services. Studies indicate that a substantial number of youths in detention or correctional settings have diagnosable mental health problems. Central Brooklyn youth face a higher risk of involvement in the criminal justice system and encounter significant barriers to accessing mental health and social support. Collaborative partnerships and community capacity-building are crucial for supporting youth and reducing health and social disparities. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in coordination with its partners, is well-positioned to lead efforts in enhancing cooperation and coordination of care for justice-involved youth in Central Brooklyn. Premised on evidence that diversion programs are more effective than traditional judicial interventions in reducing recidivism rates; the PEDY program aims to reduce the number of youths with behavioral health challenges or COD that are involved in the juvenile justice system in Central Brooklyn neighborhoods. The PEDY program aims to serve a total of 225 youths with mental health concerns or co-occurring disorders (COD) who are at risk for or already involved with the juvenile justice system in Central Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Bushwick, East Flatbush, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brownsville, and East New York. . The specific goals of the PEDY program are as follows: 1. Connect up to 225 at-risk youth to evidence-based and community-based mental health and substance use disorder services by September 2028. 2. Develop a comprehensive plan of evidence-based and community-based mental health services using a multi-agency approach to divert youth prior to arrest or booking. 3. Reduce the number of contacts youth have with the juvenile justice system by September 2028. 4. Conduct juvenile justice early diversion community system mapping to identify diversion opportunities, potential partners, and desired outcomes. 5. Expand and integrate existing mental health, substance use treatment, and recovery support services into the Early Diversion program. 6. Increase cross-system collaboration, coordination, and sustainability among New York City agencies and five community-based organizations by September 2028. Through the PEDY program, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene aims to make a significant impact on diverting at-risk youth from the juvenile justice system and improving their access to essential mental health and support services. The collaboration between the lead agency, community organizations, and agencies will enhance coordination, increase equity, and reduce health and social disparities in Central Brooklyn neighborhoods.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).