Farías questions DSS on Lopez settlement implementation

Mariah Lopez versus New York City Department of Homeless Services resulted in settlement in which the city agreed to establish shelter units that serve and affirm

trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in every borough and improve policies and procedures to protect TGNC clients.

Pursuant to this settlement, DHS is required to strengthen protections against retaliation for LGBTQIA plus residents who file complaints.

How have you implemented this?

And are there plans to put any beds in Staten Island?

Thank you for the question.

So the requirements in the Lopez settlement were specific to TGNC clients.

All agency and provider staff are required to receive training specific to respectfully working with this population, and DHS requires that all new staff complete trainings within 90 days of hiring and refreshers every two years, as I mentioned.

We also have all staff sign a nondiscrimination agreement and created designated categories to track TGNC retaliation complaints.

Note that for every floor at ACE's place, there is a way for people to complain.

I was out there recently and did take note compared to any other shelter that I've seen anywhere, how much care they take.

There's a QR code on the elevators.

There's a paper form on every single floor.

So from my perspective, they go out of their way at ACE's place to ensure that people have opportunity to complain.

And also pursuant to the settlement, we took a number of steps to improve the reporting procedures.

So we've adjusted the rights and responsibilities that every client receives and signs explicitly referring to the rights of LGBTQIA plus and TGNC clients.

We've also, for every TGNC client receives a brochure about their rights and how to report concerns outside of their shelter.

We updated our complaint tracking system to have designated categories.

So those are some of the ways that we've complied.

I cannot speak to, but certainly part of any planning process, I can't speak to whether we are looking at additional beds in Staten Island, but certainly something I'll take note of.

Great.

Thank you.

I'm going to pause briefly and turn it over to Councilmember Wilson to ask a question.