Services

Funding Withdrawn Amidst Controversy: Nonprofit Advocate for Syringe Services Faces Setback

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BOLIVAR, Pennsylvania – Kim Botteicher, the executive director of a nonprofit service provider in Westmoreland County, is advocating for a change in Pennsylvania laws to allow syringe services. Botteicher’s organization recently lost $150,000 in opioid settlement funding from county officials after she went public with her support for syringe services. Despite the loss of funding, Botteicher remains committed to her work in addiction and recovery, and she believes that expanding syringe services is crucial. However, Pennsylvania’s drug paraphernalia law poses a challenge, as it makes it difficult for opioid settlement money to directly support syringe … Read more

New Jersey Mandates Translation Services for Seven Non-English Speaking Communities, Ensuring Inclusive Access to Vital Resources

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey has enacted a law mandating translation and interpretation services for seven non-English languages in an effort to ensure equal access to crucial services. The decision aims to support the state’s diverse population, which includes a significant number of individuals who are limited English proficient. Under the new law, state agencies and healthcare providers that receive government funds must provide translation and interpretation services for Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Gujarati, Tagalog, Arabic, and Italian. These services will be offered for vital documents, services, and programs, including those related to healthcare, law … Read more

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Deputy Director Accused of Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Resulting in Delays for Wildfire Victims

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Sacramento, California – A lawsuit filed at Sacramento County Superior Court accuses a deputy director for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) of sexual harassment and claims that retaliation resulted in a delay in state support for wildfire victims. The plaintiff in the case, identified as Kendra Bowyer, alleges that she experienced a year of inappropriate comments and advances from deputy director Ryan Buras, including non-consensual touching and trying to enter her bed while she was sleeping. The lawsuit also accuses Cal OES of failing to respond to previous reports of harassment … Read more

Sullivan County Grand Jury Recommends Sweeping Changes to Child Protective Services Following Tragic Death of 16-Month-Old

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MONTICELLO, N.Y. – The tragic death of 16-month-old Akasha Luvert from a fentanyl overdose has not only shocked the small Sullivan County community of Liberty but has also ignited a dispute between former Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty and former County Attorney Michael McGuire. The disagreement centers around whether county officials could have done more to prevent the child’s death. Luvert’s parents, 26-year-old Lisa Keitt and 41-year-old Jimmy Luvert, were charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child following her death. The family was under the supervision of the county’s Child Protective Services … Read more