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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Beth Haroules, Senior Staff Attorney at New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)

5:57:10

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3 min

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Beth Haroules, representing the New York Civil Liberties Union, provided testimony on two main topics: the constitutionality of Intro 532 and criticisms of the B-HEARD program. She argued that Intro 532 violates the separation of church and state and should not be considered. Regarding B-HEARD, Haroules called for its dismantling and replacement with a peer-infused, community-based crisis response model.

Criticized B-HEARD for embedding NYPD in crisis response, lacking peer involvement, and failing to provide culturally competent services
Suggested the council consider adopting Daniel's Law and making changes to the Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health
Supported the introduction of a bill to ensure meaningful data is provided about B-HEARD's operations

Beth Haroules

5:57:10

I'm not unmuted.

5:57:12

Hi there.

5:57:13

I'm Beth Herullis, senior staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

5:57:17

We're members of communities, United for Police Reform, CCITNYC,

Gale Brewer

5:57:21

and the

Beth Haroules

5:57:21

Daniel Sloan Coalition.

5:57:23

As a Civil Liberties Union, I do want to start with brief comments concerning the N532.

5:57:29

Just noting for the record that local law 2 2016 is a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state.

5:57:36

This intro is the latest effort to extend that bad policy choice that has already been made by New York.

5:57:43

Prior iterations of this measure have been incredibly unpopular, are identified as incredibly expensive, and never made it to public hearing before.

5:57:51

It is incredibly difficult to understand how that end came to be on the agenda for today's meeting.

5:57:58

It has nothing to do with be heard and mental health crisis response, and the committees should not be considering Bill.

5:58:03

And if the committees were and the council is planning to consider this, There should be greater public notice provided to the stakeholders, including all city taxpayers.

5:58:12

With respect to be heard, we have submitted comments that are extensive that touch on the be heard program.

5:58:18

We provide you with a menu of alternative models mental health prices response.

5:58:22

We discussed Daniel's law extensively, which is the state legislative initiative that we think the city should be adopting.

5:58:30

And we discuss and suggest that the council entertain proposed changes to the conduct of the mayor's office of Community Mental Health.

5:58:39

We believe that the be heard pilot project should be dismantled and that the council should move forward to form a more appropriate peer infused community based crisis response model.

5:58:49

The be heard pilot continues to embed the NYPD's response to New York City's crisis response model.

5:58:56

It provides no role for peers.

5:58:58

On teams or in leadership, it can solicit's no community input, no needs assessment, does not offer informed care does not engage in culturally competent, gender competent, or linguistically competent service provision.

5:59:11

It appears to engage in no outreach to or have any working relationship with trusted community providers.

Yusef Salaam

5:59:17

It sounds inspired.

Beth Haroules

5:59:18

Organizations, it appears to operate without any focus on key outcomes, provides no follow-up care or long term assistance to individuals or their circle of support to avoid the next crisis.

5:59:31

We do commend who you are comments we support.

5:59:34

The int that is designated to ensure meaningful data is provided by the city about the operation, the be heard pilot project.

5:59:42

But we think this pilot project should be decommissioned, and we think the council should take the lead informing a peer infused community led crisis response system that fits within a continuum of mental health services.

5:59:56

We're here to speak with you.

5:59:58

Thank you so much for having this hearing.

6:00:00

Thank you for staying till the end.

6:00:02

And it is really distressing to see that all of the city partners who run be heard do not stay around to hear what the issues are.

6:00:11

Thank you.

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