Senator Roxanne Persaud

July 9, 2020

 

Dear Constituents:

 

I hope everyone had a lovely Independence Day weekend as we celebrated America’s 244th birthday.  Thank you for reading this week’s e-newsletter.

New York City began entering Phase 3 of re-opening this week which includes “personal care businesses.”  Personal Care businesses apply to non-hair related personal care services such as tattoo/piercing palores, appearance enhancement practitioners, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, UV and non-UV tanning, and waxing.  While in-door dining was also supposed to reopen, this has been pushed back as we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 infection rates across the country.  

Schools are out, beaches are open for swimming, and the weather has been wonderful, yet we must remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and others from spreading COVID-19.  My office is doing our part.  We have been holding facial mask and hand sanitizer distributions across Senate District 19 and will continue to do so until this virus is behind us.

We all remember being young and enjoying our summer vacation between school years.  Unfortunately, this summer is very different than in the past and we will continue to learn and grow by adapting to this new reality we are currently living in.  A focus in this week’s e-newsletter is on summer activities for our community’s youngest residents.  It’s not the summer we were all planning at the beginning of the year, but we are resilient and will make the best of it that we can.  Please continue to wear a facial covering and adhere to the social distancing protocols.  We do not want to go back to where we were just a few months ago.  Our community has seen enough heartache and loss, we can not afford to revert.  

You may have heard me mention the census before.  Census, Census, Census!  I can’t overstate the importance of completing the census. To ensure that our communities receive their fair share of federal funding, we must have a complete and accurate population count.   It takes less than 10 minutes to complete your invitation online, and there are no immigration questions asked.  The deadline has been extended until October, so please go to www.my2020census.gov and participate in Census 2020 if you have not already done so.

Sincerely,                                                                        

NYS Senate

19th District

 

 

 

“WE ARE HERE TO SERVE, AND YOU DESERVE TO BE SERVED.”



 

 

About Us

 

The Office of Senator Roxanne J. Persaud proudly serves constituents in the communities of Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, and Starrett City.

For more information, check the official website.  To stay updated on events and meetings, frequent the Senate District 19 Calendar.  If assistance is needed, an upcoming event requires sharing, or someone wishes to sign up for this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Our office can also be followed via Facebook or Twitter.


Congratulations Ms. Cass Johnson, RN 

 2020 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction!

 

I am honored to announce Ms. Cass Johnson, RN as Senate District 19’s 2020 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

Ms. Cass Johnson, RN, BSN a graduate of The New York City College of Technology began her career in the Infectious Disease/Medical Surgical unit of Brookdale University Hospital in 2004. She spent 6 years in that department providing compassionate care to patients diagnosed with AIDS and their family members. Ms. Johnson enjoyed the challenge, and it was at the bedside where she honed her skills. 

Yearning for more growth, she opted for an internal transfer to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit in 2010. It was in SICU where Ms. Johnson grew even more professionally. Ms. Johnson is loved and respected by her patients. She has built an excellent rapport with them and provides care based on evidence based practices. Over the past 10 years as a critical care nurse, she has earned her certification in Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) and Trauma Care after Resuscitation (TCAR). 

 Ms. Johnson has proven to be a hard worker, an excellent leader and mentor and is well respected by her colleagues. She is frequently called upon to orient new members to the critical care units. She also steps in to be an acting charge nurse on numerous occasions. 

When COVID-19 became rampant throughout the New York City Area, Ms. Johnson stepped up to the call of action. She assisted with the spearheading of the new Medical Intensive Unit which was designated to patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Ms. Johnson has continued to work courageously providing her patients with compassionate care. 

 

 


Cardiovascular Testing & COVID-19 Antibody Testing

In July, I partnered with Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics and community leaders to bring a mobile Cardiovascular testing vehicle to various locations throughout Senate District 19. There will also be COVID-19 antibody testing. To make an appointment for either a cardiovascular test or a COVID-19 antibody test, please click HERE for July 21-23 appointment dates. Walk-ins will also be acceptable.  

                   

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 


SD-19 NYC Reopening Resource Guide

 

As New York State begins to reopen in phases, my staff has compiled a “Senate District 19 Reopening Guide” to help assist constituents on the what, where, when and how these processes will commence.  To view this new guide, please click the banner below.

 

SENATE DISTRICT 19 NYC REOPENING RESOURCE GUIDE



 

Mask & Sanitizer Distributions across SD-19

We are continuously fighting the COVID-19 battle, with areas of SD-19 being some of the hardest-hit in all of New York City.  I have held PPE distribution events across our district and will continue to do so.  From Bergen Beach to Brownville, East New York to Sheepshead Bay and all communities in between, we have been tirelessly distributing facial masks and hand sanitizer at events across SD-19.  Please look for our schedule of locations and dates so that you can receive your supply.   As a reminder,  I urge everyone to properly dispose of used masks and gloves in garbage bins.  DO NOT LITTER!  Do not throw used PPE on the sidewalks, streets, or outside stores.  Improper disposal is a significant health concern that affects all of us.  Please be mindful of the people who must clean up your garbage.   Please click HERE to see my message about the proper disposal of PPE.

 

Community Engagement RFP for COVID-19 

 The NYC Test and Trace Corps is seeking community-based and faith-based organizations to conduct outreach and public education on COVID-19, including testing for the virus, tracing contacts of those infected, safety precautions, and safe reopening practices. The goal is to provide accessible, culturally appropriate information in the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus.

 

 

Food Distributions across SD-19

NYC has seen its highest levels of people needing food as Food insecurity has increased during this pandemic.  Thankfully for the New York City’s grab-and-go program and food vendors donating groceries, my office has been able to facilitate food distributions across SD-19 to help those in need.  Thank you to all the volunteers and community leaders who have helped bring this service to some of our most vulnerable neighbors.  

Food Distribution July 9, 2020 - Florentino Plaza

Special Thanks to Ms. Johnson, Florentino Plaza; Volunteers Ms. Evelyn, Ms. Vita Johnson, NYCHA staff of Florentino Plaza, Vaerie, Mr. Nathan Williams, Jolene, and Mr. Tullman and his team from Census 2020
 

The New York State Senate Summer Reading Program

Parents and guardians from across New York State are invited to enter their children's summer reading activity. By filling in the information HERE, including three books read by your child this summer, he/she will receive a Certificate of Achievement from myself.

The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2020. More resources and facts about summer reading can be found at:


 


 

Brooklyn Public Library

The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) will begin reopening gradually on July 13, beginning with Lobby Service at Bay Ridge Library, Bushwick Library, Central Library, Flatbush Library, Kings Highway Library, New Lots Library, and Red Hook Library, then increasing open locations and branch offerings over time to help keep staff and patrons safe. BPL is currently preparing their branch locations so that staff can return to work safely. They will also begin preparing our materials for circulation and holds.

Libraries beginning Lobby Service on July 13:

Hours for all Lobby Service locations will be:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10am to 4pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 1pm to 7pm

Photo: New Lots Branch, from Foursquare

 

BRIC Partners with the NYC Department of Education

BRIC has partnered with the NYC Department of Education to provide 5-days a week of free programming for students.  The program will reach hundreds of thousands of Brooklyn households, giving parents and teachers an additional resource to boost the remote learning experience.  You can stream the educational TV show HERE, or on Spectrum channel 1993, Optimum channel 951, and Verizon channel 47 from 9 AM - 12 PM, Monday through Friday.

 

Photo: Beyond My Ken for Wikimedia Commons

 

Junior Knicks & Junior Rangers Virtual Summer Camps

FREE Junior Knicks and Junior Rangers Virtual Summer Camps start Monday, July 13! These two awesome options will get kids active with a variety of guided drills, workouts and other bonus features, such as Q&A’s with players, alumni and special guests.

The registration links are:

Junior Knicks (ages 6-16)

https://www.nba.com/knicks/junior/camp

Junior Rangers (ages 7-14)

https://www.nhl.com/rangers/community/junior-rangers-virtual-camps

 




Workshops for Expectant Parents

 Childbirth Education Class 8-week series; join at any time

Tuesdays, July 7–August 25 (12:00-2:00pm), or Thursdays, July 9–August 27 (5:30-7:30pm)

To enroll, email healthystartbrooklyn@health.nyc.gov or leave a message at 844-919-1123.

 

Meet the Doula! 

Learn more about virtual doula support during childbirth and how to find a doula in Brooklyn 

Wednesday, July 22, 5:30-7:30pm

Register at bit.ly/DoulaMeet, or email ygordon@health.nyc.gov

Services for Fathers

 The SCO Fathers’ Program begins a new series this month..

  • Saturday, July 25, 5:00-8:00pm 
  • Choose from Parenting (10 weeks), Anger Management (8 weeks), and/or Abusive Partner Intervention Program (13 weeks)
  • To enroll, email kjones@sco.org or call 917-966-4620

 


Employment Opportunities


Summer Youth Employment Program—Summer Bridge 2020

 SYEP is back! Thanks to the advocacy of many residents and providers, the Summer Youth Employment Program is transitioning to a virtual program that will help young people ages 14-24 learn new skills, explore potential careers, and earn money over five weeks in July and August. 



BCJC Summer Internship

The Brownsville Community Justice Center (BCJC) is offering an opportunity for young adults ages 18-24 to gain hands on experience working remotely and/or in-person as well as participate in virtual work-readiness workshops and complete community benefit projects in Brownsville. Participants enrolled in this program can earn $15/hours and they are required to participate 15 hours a week. In order to enroll, participants must have their documents ready to be reviewed by our staff no later than July 10th. For more info, please reach out to Ionna at ijimenez@nycourts.gov.

To apply, please click here: https://forms.gle/B3vZhFi427Jhnyte7


Department of Labor - Unemployment Claims

To file unemployment claims or to make complaints regarding working during this pandemic, please click HERE.  



COVID Tracing Call Scams

Thousands of New Yorkers have been receiving calls from the City’s COVID-19 Tracing Team.  Please be aware that while this is an extremely important service tracers are providing, unfortunately scammers are also taking advantage.  Please review this flyer from the Federal Trade Commission to make yourselves aware of distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent calls.  Proper COVID-19 Tracer calls will either say “NYC Test + Trace” on caller ID or come from a 212 area code.  


 


 

 

Open Streets Program

Pedestrians and cyclists will be happy to know that Mayor Bill de Blasio has added another 22 miles to New York City’s nation-leading Open Streets program, bringing the city-wide total to 67 miles – two-thirds of the way to the 100-mile goal laid out in late April. The new Open Streets, which are located primarily in neighborhoods hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, include nine miles of temporary protected bike lanes. The Administration is also prioritizing neighborhoods that are high on the Heat Vulnerability Index plans to make the summer “Cool Streets” hydrant spray-cap program part of the Open Streets initiative.

The areas included in SD-19 are:

  • Brownsville - Blake Avenue from Rockaway Avenue to Powell Street

         Livonia Avenue from Mother Gaston Boulevard to Powell Street

  • Sheepshead Bay - Bragg Street from Avenue V to Avenue Y
  • East New York - Stanley Avenue from Vermont Avenue to Van Siclen Avenue

                           Stanley Avenue from Schenck Avenue to Ashford Street

 

Under Open Streets, pedestrians and cyclists are free to use the roadbed of each street. No through traffic is permitted, with remaining vehicle traffic limited to local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service, utility, and emergency vehicles only. Such drivers are alerted to be hyper-vigilant and to drive at 5 MPH along these routes. Open streets hours will be from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM but may vary slightly depending on staff availability.

 

Cool It! NYC

NYC has announced that it will expand cooling options on existing open streets with tree-based shade and fire hydrants.  In our area, the streets names are:

  • Blake Avenue from Miller Street to Hinsdale Street in New Lots & on Williams Avenue from Liberty Avenue to Atlantic Avenue in Brownsville.

NYC Emergency Management - Beat the Heat!

Now that summer is in full swing, the air temperature is getting very warm and air quality is decreasing.  NYC Emergency Management has many tips on how to stay cool and how to protect yourself and your families from the dangerous effects of high temperatures.  Please click HERE for a number of resources on how to stay safe and beat the heat!








 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Food Assistance Programs

Are you or someone you know is in need of food assistance but cannot leave their home or cannot afford the costs?

The Department of Education is providing three free meals daily (including vegetarian, kosher and halal options) at over 500 locations across NYC to every New Yorker who needs them. Click HERE to find a Meal Hub near you. No ID is required and each person can pick up 3 meals at a time (adults can pick up meals for their children).

The City of New York has provided over 1,000,000 food assistance deliveries to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis to those who cannot access food themselves; however, they must meet the following criteria:

1) No members of the household can go out and get food because they are at increased medical risk or homebound

2) No neighbors or family members can go out and get food for you

3) Do not receive meal assistance from other providers (incl. Meals on Wheels or God's Love We Deliver); and

4) You are unable to afford meal delivery or grocery delivery

 

For more information and to apply, please visit HERE.

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens in SD-19

Please click HERE for a list of food pantries and soup kitchens in our district.  

Debt-Collection Suspension

NYS Attorney General Letitia James’ office is helping to provide people or businesses impacted by COVID-19 that owe (non-medical and non-student) debts to the State of New York.  Please click HERE to be considered for debt relief, including relief from collection activity, interest accrual, and the assessment of collection fees by completing the “COVID-19 Application for Suspension of Debt Collection Activity.”  

 

New Street Cleaning Schedule

From NotifyNYC:

Effective immediately, there will no longer be twice-weekly street cleanings. Beginning Monday, 6/29, the City will resume Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations for one week. Going forward, streets that have multiple ASP days will be cleaned on the day that is later in the week, through Labor Day. For example, a street with ASP regulations posted on Tuesday and Friday will now be cleaned on Friday only. Daily sweeping regulations in metered areas will not change, and DSNY will continue cleaning streets with posted No Standing, No Stopping and No Parking regulations as needed.

The City will enforce these amended regulations on a week-by-week basis and will assess conditions throughout the summer. The City will determine whether to extend, or modify the new regulations over the course of the summer.

For more information and updates, visit http://on.nyc.gov/2Ho9W4J or contact 3-1-1 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY 212-504-4115).

 

Health & Wellness


 

Interim Guidance for Dentistry

 

This Interim Guidance for Dentistry during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Dentistry”) was created to provide dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 as dentistry facilities re-open or continue to operate for elective and emergency procedures. This guidance applies to all dental care, including emergency and non-emergency/elective care.

To review the guidance, please check here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/DentistryMasterGuidance.pdf

Mental Health & Domestic Violence Resources

You do not have to feel alone.  If you are experiencing stress or feel anxious, please contact the New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline.  Thousands of mental health professionals are available to help us during this pandemic.  






 

 

 

Census 2020

Census forms have been distributed to households across this State and Nation.  I cannot overstate the importance of your participation in the Census.  Every ten years, each living person in the United States is required to be accounted for; this includes YOU!  The Census is extremely important because over $675 billion of your federal funds are allocated among the States which provides funding for our schools, hospitals, senior centers, public transportation, roads and bridges.  Even our representation in Washington, D.C. is in jeopardy as New York is currently set to lose up to two Congressional members due to lack of proper count.  

Please click HERE for my very important message regarding the 2020 Census.

Unfortunately, Brooklyn is the worst offender in our lack of participation not only in NYC but the entire USA.  There is too much at stake to have this continue.  Since March, 95% of households have received an invitation to participate in the Census, and 5% have had their invitation dropped off by a Census worker to be interviewed in person.  The Census Bureau is required by law to keep all personal information safe and confidential.  Your responses to the census cannot be used against you by law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or to determine eligibility for government services.  Visit my2020census.gov to respond online.  To respond by phone, call 1-844-330-2020

 

Public Safety 

 

FDNY

Even though FDNY CPR classes are currently postponed, watch this #FDNYSmart video to gain an overall awareness of hands-only CPR, and to learn how #CPRSavesLives.

Visit www.fdnysmart.org/connect  to watch the full presentation. Use these safety tips when performing Hands Only CPR, and remember that early recognition and action improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.

 

 

NYPD

Find out more on the New York City Police Department Precincts in the district, including crime statistics so you are aware of the trends and able to identify changes to help us fight for a safer community.

61st Pct

63rd Pct

69th Pct

73rd Pct

75th Pct

PSA 1

PSA 2


 

 

Homicide Victims Liaison Unit will provide a connection with

the investigating detective and the family members of those who 

have lost a loved one to violence.

 

We will offer the surviving family members:

 

  • Case updates
  • Victim compensation information
  • Referrals to resources

 

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out

to Familiesofhomicidevictims@nypd.org or call 646-610-5233

 


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Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Bldg
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2788
District Office:
1222 East 96th St
Brooklyn, NY 11236
718-649-7653
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