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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nadia Chait, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at CASES, on behalf of the ATI Coalition
3:56:39
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130 sec
Nadia Chait, representing CASES and the ATI Coalition, testifies about the devastating impact of proposed budget cuts on alternative to incarceration (ATI) and reentry programs. She emphasizes that these cuts will hinder efforts to close Rikers Island and potentially increase its population.
- At least 2,300 people will lose access to ATI and reentry services if the proposed cuts of $8.9 million to ATI programs and $8 million to reentry services go through.
- The cuts will lead to staff layoffs and potentially force at least one provider to close an ATI program completely.
- Chait highlights a specific ATI program for young people that provides mental healthcare, employment services, and other supports, which is at risk due to these cuts.
Nadia Chait
3:56:39
Good afternoon chair nurse and members of the committee.
3:56:41
I'm Nadia Cheat, I'm the senior director of policy and advocacy at cases, and I'm here today on behalf of the ATI coalition, which CASES is proud to be a member of.
3:56:50
We are an ecosystem of 12 providers that provide alternatives to incarceration and detention in New York City.
3:56:56
We are facing existential cuts as you noted in your opening remarks and discussing questions.
3:57:03
8,900,000.0 in cuts to ATI programs, 8,000,000 in cuts to reentry services.
3:57:08
We cannot close Rikers as a city while also cutting the things that keep people from going to Rikers.
3:57:16
If these cuts go through, we will see the Rikers population increase as it has for the past several years.
3:57:23
We have met with MACH J.
3:57:24
I know many of the other coalition members have had their meetings with MACH J.
3:57:29
I don't think we have data back from each member, but based on what we know, we think that at least 2,300 people will lose access to ATI and reentry services if these cuts go through.
3:57:43
And we will have to lay off staff.
3:57:46
There is no way as a provider that we can maintain the staffing levels that we have with the kind of funding cuts that are being discussed.
3:57:55
And it is my understanding that at least one provider will actually have to fully close one of their ATI programs because the cut is so significant that they simply will not be able to sustain that program if these cuts go through.
3:58:09
So I know that the council understands the value of these programs,
Sarita Daftary
3:58:15
but I will just
Nadia Chait
3:58:16
say for us, one of our ATI's that would face cuts is for young people.
3:58:22
I know Chair Stevens talked about how we're not serving young people the way that we need to.
3:58:28
This is a program that connects young people to mental healthcare, employment services, arts therapy, boxing, just a range of supports to help our young people actually succeed, to take their skills and talents and transform their lives instead of rotting away in a jail cell.
3:58:46
And so I urge the council to fight for full restoration.