RyeCity REVIEW THE
November 26, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 45 | www.ryecityreview.com
Fresh Start initiative kicks off in Westchester
Who’s next? Caden Whaling celebrates after a touchdown against Minisink Valley on Nov. 19, 2021. Rye topped the Warriors 31-21, earning a shot at Section I champion Somers this week. For story, see page 16.
Photo/Mike Smith
County hosts vaccine clinics for eligible kids Westchester County is encouraging parents to make appointments to get children ages 5-11 vaccinated. The county has partnered with local school districts to host clinics in the schools and at the county Health Department. Contact your local district to find out when clinics will be at your child’s school. The county put together this video showcasing local children receiving the vaccine and getting their reaction, to help encourage others to «Kick
COVID-19 to the Curb.» A first dose Pfizer vaccination clinic for eligible children ages 5-11, scheduled for White Plains, Nov. 20, is already fully booked, but you can check to see if appointments there open up. A parent or guardian must be present for any child to receive a vaccine. For information about new clinics as they are scheduled, please check back regularly at the county Department of Health website https://health.westchestergov.com (Submitted)
Westchester County is encouraging parents to make appointments to get children ages 5-11 vaccinated. The county has partnered with local school districts to host clinics in the schools and at the county Health Department.
Fresh Start, a joint initiative of Westchester County Executive George Latimer and District Attorney Miriam Rocah became operational and has officially served its first five individuals. Through the program, the DA’s office identifies qualified first-time non-violent criminal offenders and provides them an opportunity to avoid prosecution and the potential for a criminal record. The current Fresh Start pilot project serves the Greenburgh and White Plains communities. “These are the things that collaboration across County government can do,” Latimer said. “By working together, we can develop and implement new models, new programs, and new ways to improve people’s lives. The end result of these kinds of efforts is safer communities, lower crime rates, and fewer people with lives saddled with criminal convictions.” To complete the program, people who would otherwise have to appear in court and go through the criminal justice process participate in a 3-hour facilitated session, provided as an adjunct to Westchester County’s highly respected Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities, TASC. “We are thrilled to expand our community-based diversion efforts for first-time, low level
offenders by offering an exciting and innovative program that starts with the simple idea that people deserve second chances, and incarceration is not always the answer,” Rocah said. “Fresh Start breaks the destructive cycle of recidivism by focusing on rehabilitation instead of incarceration for certain types of crime. We are happy to partner with County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health on this offering.” Community Mental Health Commissioner Michael Orth added, “This is a big step in the effort to identify people who can early on be diverted from the criminal justice system. We know that a certain percentage of those who commit lower level criminal offenses, unless they participate in some type of intervention, can go on to commit more serious offenses. Fresh Start identifies those with lower level charges at the earliest possible opportunity, and works to redirect them away from potential criminal behavior. Today a small group of people made that big step for the first time in Westchester County.” While only serving two municipalities now, Fresh Start is anticipated to go countywide in the future. (Submitted)