Justice Center eNews

Code of Conduct and Champion Award Winners AnnouncedThe Justice Center recently announced its 2023 Code of Conduct and Champion Award winners. These awards honor individuals and groups who work tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals with special needs in New York State.This year’s program comes on the heels of the Justice Center’s 10-year anniversary – a major milestone in the agency’s mission to protect vulnerable populations from abuse and neglect. Those honored during the 2023 Code of Conduct and Champion Awards truly embody the Justice Center’s founding principles and ethical standards outlined in the Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs.The Justice Center received more than 100 nominations for this year’s program, selecting four Champion Award winners and six Code of Conduct Award winners. Each submission was accompanied by stories straight from the service industry that uniquely characterized the dedication of our NYS workforce.Thank you to all who made this year’s awards so special! To view a list of the 2023 award recipients, click here. A full recording of this year’s ceremony along with information on the program can be found in the link below.

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Free Training AvailableThe Justice Center is offering free train-the-trainer courses for the Code of Conduct.  This interactive, three-hour webinar provides participants with tools they can share with new and experienced staff to prepare them to understand, utilize, and practice the Code of Conduct.Available  October 26 and November 15.Register Now Link Up With UsWant to keep up more regularly with Justice Center news?  Join us on LinkedIn!  The agency page features professional events, staff spotlights, announcements, and more.  We also regularly feature opportunities to start or continue your career by joining the Justice Center’s staff!  Make sure to follow the Justice Center on LinkedIn and connect with us regularly!Access Here Individual & Family Support SessionsLearn how the Justice Center supports individuals receiving services and their families, including during the investigation process.  Our advocates will also discuss self-care and how to create a self-care plan.Available sessions will take place October 16, 17 & 18Register Now

New Prevention Toolkit on Choking Prevention ReleasedThe Justice Center tracks trends in reports made to the agency, identifying areas where preventative measures may help stop incidents from happening. Between 2020 and 2022, the Justice Center received nearly 1,000 reports of choking incidents. Studies show that individuals with developmental disabilities are nearly 11 times more likely to die from respiratory-related conditions, often linked with difficulties with swallowing and choking. To address this trend, the Justice Center produced the Spotlight on Prevention toolkit: Best Practices for Choking Prevention. It provides resources to help develop and implement policies and practices to prevent these incidents from occurring. The toolkit includes trainings, sample policies, and case studies. It is available on the Justice Center’s website.See the ToolkitSign up for more content from the Justice CenterOnly receiving eNews right now? You can check out all the great newsletters we offer by visiting your personalized preferences page. There, you can subscribe to any and all content that the Justice Center offers. Manage your preferences here.