New NYC Justice Training Institute Equips Providers with Practical Tools to Better Serve New Yorkers with Complex Mental & Behavioral Health Needs
Enhanced Training Opportunities Aim to Reduce Recidivism, Improve Outcomes Across the Justice System
NEW YORK — The New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and the City University of New York (CUNY) Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) today announced the launch of the NYC Justice Training Institute, a first-of-its-kind training hub designed to strengthen the capacity of providers serving New Yorkers who are justice-involved with complex mental and behavioral health needs.
The NYC Justice Training Institute provides live and on-demand training and technical assistance to MOCJ-funded providers, other city agencies, and health and human services organizations. The initiative is grounded in evidence-informed practices that improve service engagement, enhance care coordination, and reduce gaps in services — all key drivers of long-term public safety.
“At the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, we know that public safety and public health go hand in hand,” said MOCJ Director Deanna Logan. “The Justice Training Institute is about giving partner providers the tools they need to meet people where they are — with the right skills, the right support, and the right approach. By strengthening how we deliver care and coordinate services, we can reduce recidivism, prevent crises before it occurs, keep community safe, and help more New Yorkers build stable, healthy lives.”
“Stronger services mean stronger communities. We’re honored to support the staff working on the ground with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver real, positive outcomes for New Yorkers,” said CUNY ISLG Policy Director Siobhán Carney. “The Justice Training Institute reflects what we know is true: long-term safety and stability start with the people delivering care every single day.”
Nearly 60 percent of people in custody on Rikers Island either have a mental health diagnosis or received or requested mental health services, underscoring the need for providers to be equipped with the right tools to respond effectively.
The NYC Justice Training Institute will serve as a centralized resource for training and innovation, including a dedicated website featuring an events calendar and ongoing learning opportunities. The trainings will equip providers with practical, real-world skills, including:
- Understanding the NYC criminal legal system, including the roles of key agencies and common terms
- Developing person-centered case management that addresses both risks of recidivism and behavioral health needs
- Learning the basics of mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders to better recognize needs and apply best practices, including overdose prevention
- Building rapport with clients using trauma-informed care and culturally responsive engagement techniques
- Managing crises and de-escalating conflicts, including how to connect individuals to New York City’s crisis response system
- Navigating housing, benefits, and workforce systems to provide coordinated support and seamless referrals
- Safely documenting client data and using that information to improve services and outcomes
The Institute will also create new opportunities for health care providers to better understand and serve individuals involved in the justice system, helping to bridge longstanding gaps between the health and justice sectors.
The NYC Justice Training Institute is expected to drive measurable outcomes across the city’s justice system, including improved participant engagement and retention in programs; stronger collaboration across courts, jails, and community-based health and justice service providers; and a greater adoption of evidence-informed, public health-centered approaches to safety.
New Yorkers and service providers are encouraged to join MOCJ and ISLG to learn more about upcoming trainings and opportunities through the NYC Justice Training Institute.