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JTI Hosts: The New York State Judicial Task Force on Mental Illness (NYS JTFMI): Navigating NYC’s Homeless System

October 7 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Free
NYC’s homeless response system is complex and can be difficult to navigate for both clients and service providers. Compounding this, many people who have been recently incarcerated are experiencing homelessness and have to rely on the homeless system. Experts from the NYS JTFMI, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) will provide attendees of this webinar with an overview of NYC’s Department of Homeless Services shelter system, MOCJ’s Emergency Transitional Housing, and DYCD’s Runaway and Homeless Youth program. Participants will learn how to help their clients navigate the system, connect with the appropriate resources, and overcome barriers to accessing temporary housing.

The New York State Judicial Task Force on Mental Illness (NYS JTFMI) seeks to ensure that individuals with mental illness and related conditions are treated fairly and compassionately in all aspects of New York’s court system, including criminal, civil and family courts by recommending improvements to court practices, developing policy proposals and promoting collaboration of the judiciary with its willing and committed partners within and outside of government. The Task Force recognizes that mental illness is not a crime and court involvement is often the result of a lack of appropriate support.

Presenters:

Patricia Hernandez, LCSW, is a behavioral health leader and licensed clinical social worker with almost 20 years of experience advancing care and developing strategies for vulnerable populations across healthcare, behavioral health, homeless, and housing systems. As Senior Director of Behavioral Health Homeless Initiatives at NYC Health and Hospitals, she leads system-wide initiatives to strengthen collaboration between healthcare and homeless and housing providers to improve outcomes for patients experiencing homelessness with complex behavioral health needs. Previously, Patricia spent several years at the Corporation of Supportive Housing (CSH), where she partnered with providers and government agencies to develop supportive housing initiatives and systems change across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In addition to her leadership role at NYC Health and Hospitals, Patricia serves as Board President of the Health and Housing Consortium, a collaborative network of healthcare and housing organizations, homeless services, and government partners with the shared goal of improving health equity and reducing housing instability in New York City. Patricia currently serves on the New York State Judicial Task Force on Mental Illness and is co-chair of the Reentry and Housing Committee. Lastly, Patricia also maintains a private psychotherapy practice, providing therapy to adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.

Sara Tempel currently serves as the Senior Advisor of Housing Initiatives at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. In this role, she oversees the Emergency Transitional Housing portfolio, which supports justice-impacted individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. She also provides strategic policy leadership focusing on identifying housing opportunities and gaps, advancing housing-centered solutions, and aligning policies related to serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) with broader efforts to reduce jail populations. Prior to her current position, Sara held multiple roles at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), where she worked across policy, housing development, and rental subsidy programs. She also has experience in the supportive housing nonprofit sector, contributing to programs that serve vulnerable populations.

Nirah Johnson, LCSW, is the Director of Health and Homeless Service Integration at the NYC Department of Homeless Services, where she leads the Institutional Referral Program. She has over 20 years of experience in health care navigation and program development supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Tracey Thorne is the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Data Analysis for Runaway & Homeless Youth (RHY) Services at the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD).  She has 26+ years leading NYC human services systems with expertise in homelessness prevention, youth development, domestic violence services, housing pathways, and cross-agency strategy and a proven record driving equity-centered policy, operational transformation, and measurable service improvements. Since 2018, Tracey has administered the citywide RHY portfolio overseeing outreach, crisis, drop-in, transitional, and independent living programs for vulnerable youth and young adults. She directs strategy, policy, performance management, and system coordination. In 1999, Tracey joined the Human Resources Administration’s Office of Emergency and Intervention Services which was responsible for citywide domestic violence services including shelters and contracted community based and school-based programs, a network of community kitchens and food pantries, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program outreach services, the Home Energy Assistance Program, utility assistance programs and crisis and disaster response. Tracey graduated from SUNY Albany, Rockefeller College for Public Affairs and Policy with a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Women and Public Policy.  During graduate school, she was awarded a fellowship from the Center for Women in Government and her experience with that program solidified her mission to ensure that government has an active role in developing and implementing socially just policies. She earned a BA in political science from NYU College of Arts and Science. An avid gardener, Tracey understands that with patience and persistent care, a forest can grow from seeds.

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