Justice Center Champion and
Code of Conduct Award Winners Announced
The Justice Center honored eight New Yorkers for their service and dedication to people with special needs at the annual Justice Center Champion and Code of Conduct Award ceremonies on September 19th in Albany.  The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals under the agency's jurisdiction.  
Justice Center Executive Director Denise M. Miranda presented four individuals with the agency’s Champion Award.  Justice Center employees place a name in nomination.  Nominees can include individual staff members, community members, people receiving services or organizations that support the mission of the agency. The submissions are reviewed by an agency committee, which makes recommendations to the Executive Director. 
“This year’s Champion Award winners embody the mission of the Justice Center" said Miranda.  "They have worked tirelessly to support and protect individuals with special needs.  It is my privilege to recognize their commitment and hard work on behalf of this vulnerable population.”
The 2019 Justice Center Champion Award winners include: Justice Center Advisory Council member Earl Eichelberger (posthumous), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lisette Pineda, Chief Assistant District Attorney David Rossi, and New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson.
The Justice Center's Advisory Council also presented its Code of Conduct Award to four recipients.  This award honors staff who embody the ethical standards outlined in the
Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs. Employees who assist people with special needs are required to sign the Code, which ensures that people “live self-directed meaningful lives in their communities, free from abuse and neglect, and protected from harm.”
This year's winners include: Sukina Anderson of Vanderhyeden, Ariel Coffman of CN Guidance & Counseling Services, Michelle Proctor of The ARC Westchester, and Ruby Thomas of Outreach.
Two More Dates Open for Regional Conferences
The Justice Center is finishing up the first year of its new Regional Conferences with two more events in October.  The conferences are for provider agencies as well as individuals receiving services, families, peer advocates and other interested stakeholders under Justice Center jurisdiction.  Participants receive a presentation on the overview of the agency as well as a breakout session on a selected topic of their choice.  The final two events are in Syracuse and Brooklyn.  Registration is free.
Register Here
Appellate Division Rules in
Prosecutorial Challenge Cases
The Third Department of the Appellate Division has handed down its ruling in three consolidated Justice Center cases.  These cases call into question the prosecutorial authority of the agency's Special Prosecutor/Inspector General.  In the August ruling, the court held that the local District Attorney must provide knowing, written consent and retain ultimate responsibility over the prosecution of cases.
The standard outlined in the decision is the model under which the Justice Center already operates.  The agency already gets written consent from local District Attorneys, who retain ultimate responsibility over prosecutions.  This process has been in place for more than a year.  The Justice Center has filed a notice of appeal.
New Online Training Resource Released
The Justice Center has created a new and easy-to-access training resource for providers across the state looking to use the Surrogate Decision Making Committee (SDMC).  The new training is a narrated PowerPoint which outlines who is eligible for a major medical or end-of-life decision to be made by SDMC and which forms are required to request such a decision.  This online resource allows providers to access the training by viewing the video in advance of actually needing to file a request or while filling out the required documentation. The SDMC Services Video is now available on the SDMC page of the Justice Center website.  
Also available on the page is a variety of other provider and volunteer resources including the
online volunteer training module released last year to support the recruitment efforts of those interested in becoming a volunteer. SDMC is currently seeking volunteers from all areas of the state to serve on its volunteer panels.
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