Mayor Adams: ‘Summer Boost NYC’ Program to Support 25,000 NYC Students

‘Summer Boost NYC’ Program to Support 25,000 NYC Students

NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on April 18, announced the launch of ‘Summer Boost NYC’ — a new Bloomberg Philanthropies program that will support summer learning at public charter schools in New York City for approximately 25,000 K-8 students who have fallen behind and face significant learning gaps that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For two years, in-person learning disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying social- and health-related effects have resulted in significant learning loss, particularly for students of color from low-income families. “Whether at a district school or a charter school, every young person should be invested in, and this $50 million investment will do just that,” said Mayor Adams. “Many of our sons and daughters had disrupted learning during the past two years because of the pandemic and deserve an opportunity to learn during the summer. This investment will give young New Yorkers in the program the chance to grow, to learn, and to explore their talents and imagination.I want to thank Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for creating the Summer Boost NYC program, continuing to make massive investments in our children, and showing an entire nation how to make our schools work for everyone. With their support, we are ensuring no young person is left behind.” “After two years of school closures and inadequate remote instruction, students across the U.S. have suffered unprecedented learning loss,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP; and 108th Mayor of New York City. “The harm has fallen heaviest on the children who were already too far behind, especially low-income Black and Latino students. That could have devastating effects on their chances for graduating high school and going to college or beginning a career. Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks deserve credit for recognizing the crisis and taking immediate action by expanding Summer Rising across the city. The private sector and philanthropic groups also have a duty to step in and do what they can to help get kids back on track. This is an all-handson-deck moment. This summer is a valuable opportunity to make up for lost ground, and we’re not going to let it slip by.” “It is essential that every child in New York City has a safe and supportive place to grow this summer,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for their generosity and for helping to lift up our youngest New Yorkers.” A private study from McKinsey found that the pandemic fed the ongoing educational crisis already facing many students of color from low-income families in New York City. Unless urgent action is taken, some of these students may never catch up and their future higher education, employment, and wage-earning opportunities will be severely impacted. Recently, New York City expanded its Summer Rising program for 2022 and now serves 110,000 students in grades K8 — up more than 10 percent from last year. Summer Boost NYC builds on the city’s Summer Rising initiative by aiming to support students at charter schools — which 14 percent of New York City public school students attend — expanding much-needed summer school programs to more than 135,000 students.l

The Basics of Medicaid

BY JAMELIAH MILLER

Medicaid, which became law in 1965, is an insurance program that is managed by the federal government. It is statewide and was established using a set of regulations, policies and federal statutes. Medicaid covers individuals with low incomes, children and pregnant women. At present, mental health, births and long-term care services are some of the biggest beneficiaries of Medicaid. Most of its participants are persons who are unable to get any other insurance coverage. As with every other insurance system, participants must meet the requirements and rules of thestate; their eligibility varies from state to state. For Medicaid, the federal laws expect the state in question to take into consideration specific groups and allow flexibility to others. In the United States, all states cover children and adolescences, pregnant women, seniors, youths “aging out” of foster care and parents or caretaker relatives of minor children, all of whom should meet the federal requirements for residency—U.S. citizenship and immigration status. Nonetheless, an individual receiving Medicaid coverage in one state, may not be eligible for services in other states. Also, services that are provided may differ greatly in duration, amount or scope of service from state to state. Then there is the issue of legislative changes, which may alter Medicaid eligibility. For example, in 2014, and later, the Affordable Care Act increased eligibility to all persons under the age of 65 and in households with incomes up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Because of this change, this eliminated the need for most persons to meet the previously applied criteria, like undergoing an asset test or being in a designated group to qualify. While some Medicaid programs are directly paid for by Medicaid, others are paid for by private insurance companies. Some of the programs that the state covers are mental health services, medication, prenatal care and maternity care, impatient and outpatient hospital services, doctor visits and preventative care such as immunizations, mammograms, and colonoscopies. It is also the choice of the state to add some complimentary services such as dental services, physical therapy, prosthetic devices, vision and eyeglasses and home and community-based services. It is important to note that for children and adolescents, they get vision, hearing and related services through another service called the Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment benefit. Initially, Medicaid was created to assist mothers and their children, the disabled and the elderly. Today, Medicaid has evolved into something bigger than was expected. Changes in legislation in the late 1980s, broadened Medicaid coverage to include poor children, low-income pregnant women and to some Medicare beneficiaries not eligible to receive any other cash assistance program. The change in legislative coverage placed keen focus on better quality care, increased access, fewer limits on services, specific benefits and enhanced outreach programs. Medicaid is particularly beneficial to persons in the multicultural communities. According to the Medicaid Facts Sheet, “in 2016, 28% of African Americans and 35% of Hispanic Americans received Medicaid benefits, compared to 17% of non-Hispanic White Americans.” New York's Medicaid program provides comprehensive health coverage to more than 7.3 million lower-income New Yorkers (as of December, 2021.) Medicaid pays for a wide-range of services, depending on your age, financial circumstances, family situation, or living arrangements. These services are provided through a large network of health care providers that you can access directly using your Medicaid card or through your managed care plan if you are enrolled in managed care. Some services may have small co-payments, which can be waived if you cannot afford them.l

April Is Sexual Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is for individuals and organizations to raise public awareness about sexual harassment, assault, and abuse and educate communities on how to prevent it. It is also an opportunity to promote awareness of the impact of sexual assault on survivors, which is especially important during this pandemic. This year’s global theme, “We Can Build Safe Online Spaces,” recognizes the impact digital technology has played in where people connect with romantic partners, friends, family, co-workers, and strangers alike. There is also an increased awareness of ways it can be used to bully, threaten, and commit abuse has grown as well. Sometimes the violence is initiated online and then takes place in person, and in other instances, the violence takes place entirely behind screens. Even though the abuse occurs behind a screen, the impact on the victim, their loved ones, and the community can be just as harmful as sexual violence committed in person.

Here is an excerpt from President Biden’s proclamation on SAAM: “I was raised to believe that one of the greatest sins is the abuse of power –whether it is economic, psychological, or

Cory, Survivor of sexual assault

Cheryl, Survivor of sexual assault Jeanette, Survivor of sexual assault

Isabella, Survivor of sexual assault

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE

If you were affected by sexual assault, you are not alone.

online.rainn.org 800.656.HOPE

physical. The cruel fact is that people of every age, ability, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, socioeconomic background, and religion suffer the pain and trauma of the abuse of power that is sexual assault. Sexual violence can occur anywhere — and millions of assaults occur each year at the workplace, in the home, at school, and online. These assaults are an intolerable affront to our shared humanity. During National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every person can live a life free from sexual violence. We continue in our commitment to stand with survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and dismantle a culture that is complicit in allowing sexual violence to continue. Sexual assault is also a public health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 women in America experiences rape or attempted rape. Nearly 44 percent of women and about 25 percent of all men experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Tragically, many of those assaulted are young, and research shows that these assaults can have lifelong effects on health and are linked to chronic illnesses. Too often, this trauma is compounded by lost productivity, the challenge of seeking accountability, and the ensuing costs of medical and mental health care.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 I was proud to support and sign into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This law advances efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault and promotes access to justice by guaranteeing that people who have experienced sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace are not forced into binding arbitration and are instead allowed to choose whether to go to court.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Ending violence against women and eliminating sexual assault have been a priority for me throughout my life. It is why I wrote and championed the original Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a law that has transformed how we respond to sexual assault and which I count as one of my proudest legislative accomplishments. I am proud to have recently signed into law the reauthorization of VAWA, which expands prevention efforts and protections for survivors of sexual assault and other forms of genderbased violence. The law will provide increased resources and training so that our law enforcement and our judicial systems are better able to appropriately handle these cases. It includes a new focus on addressing technology-facilitated abuse and establishes a Federal civil cause of action for victims of non-consensual distribution of intimate images. The Act will strengthen rape prevention and education efforts, support rape crisis centers, improve the training of sexual assault forensic examiners, reduce the backlog of untested DNA kits, and broaden access to legal services for all survivors. It will also expand recognition of the special criminal jurisdiction of Tribal courts to cover non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, sex trafficking, child abuse, and stalking. This month, we honor the bravery and leadership of survivors by rededicating ourselves to eliminating sexual violence. It will require care and commitment from each of us to realize an America where everyone is free from the threat and impact of sexual violence.”

Legal Assistance If you are an immigrant who is a victim of sexual violence, you are not alone. Help is available. If you need legal advice regarding your immigration status, call 855-768-8845 or visit www.askthelawyer.us to schedule an appointment.l

GREEN CARD SLAVERY?

Don’t put up with ABUSE anymore! Whether married or not, whether your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Green Card Holder, we can get a Green Card for you and your children PLUS a divorce. Call 855-768-8845 now for a consultation!

Are you looking to get into the health & wellness business?

Contact:

Stacy Young Board Certified Holistic Health Coach Tel: 917-459-8431