New York State Initiatives

• New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative  -  Governor Andrew Cuomo

"The Purpose of the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative is 'to foster trust, fairness and legitimacy' within communities throughout our state and 'to address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color.'..."

• The NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG): 

"The New York State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG), made up of the key players in juvenile justice in New York, is committed to supporting a fair and equitable juvenile justice system in New York State, one that is data-driven and research-based..."

• Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable: 

"The Racial Equity Roundtable includes more than 30 community leaders from the public, private, nonprofits and faith institutions convened to advance racial equity and promote the change required to accelerate a shared regional prosperity..."

• Racial Equity Dividend Report, University at Buffalo Regional Institute, and Make Communities

"Buffalo is building a new shared future, one with prosperity, equity, and opportunity, on every side of Main Street..."

• NYC Health: Race to Justice 

"Years of racist policies and unjust practices among institutions, including many City institutions, have led to worse health outcomes in communities of color than in White communities..."

• NYS Education Department: Culturally Responsive- Sustaining Education Framework 

"For more than a century, education providers throughout the United States have strived and struggled to meet the diverse needs of American children and families..."

• New York State Unified Court System: Report from the Special Adviser on Equal justice in the New York State Courts

"On June 9, 2020, Chief Judge DiFiore appointed Secretary Johnson to conduct "an independent review of the New York State court system's response to the issue of institutional racism," and to make "[r]recommendations [that] center on operational issues that lie within the power of the court system to implement administratively and unilaterally..."

• New York State Raise the Age Implementation Task Force, Final Report

"On April 10, 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a historic piece of legislation enacted by the New York State Legislature and designed to raise the age of criminal responsibility from age 16 to 18 throughout the state..."

• New York State Policy Equity Academy

In June 2021, the YJI launched the inaugural session of the New York State Policy Equity Academy. Developed in collaboration with the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Center for Children’s Law and Policy, the Academy welcomes 5 participating counties – Albany County, Monroe County, Onondaga County, Schenectady County, and Westchester County. The county teams are comprised of diverse stakeholders including probation, youth and families, courts, law enforcement, and social services. Each county will work toward the goal of reducing racial and ethnic disparities in its probation adjustment process. In addition to the course instruction, the counties will receive technical assistance and funding support to implement reforms. For more information on the Academy and the collaboration that created it, please read this recent DCJS press release.