Tarini Garamella opposes Intro 453 as vague and DOC-led
Tarini Garamella of the Osborne Association testifies for the Rikers Visiting Workgroup on Intro 453. She says the bill is well-intentioned but too vague and would inappropriately expand DOC into assessing and referring children for mental health services, urging community-based services instead.
Good afternoon, Chair Brooks-Powers.
My name is Terini Garamella, and I'm a policy associate for the Osborne Association.
I'm testifying on behalf of the community members of the Rikers Visiting Workgroup in regards to Intro 453.
My testimony outlines ways in which this bill is too vague as written and could lead to harmful practices, and my written testimony will share more in-depth recommendations.
We believe this bill is well-intentioned, and we are eager to collaborate with Chair Stevens to strengthen this legislation to support the mental well-being of children who have incarcerated parents on Rikers Island.
This bill was originally introduced in 2018, and we and several of our partners opposed it then.
We are deeply concerned about how this bill will expand DOC's role into assessing and providing referrals for children to access mental health services.
We should instead be investing in community-based services and improving the visiting experience for children.
We agree with DOC that they should not be the ones assessing children for referrals and providing mental health services.
DOC currently struggles to provide adequate mental health care and support to the people in their custody and their staff.
It seems outside the scope of DOC's mission and expertise and is an unnecessary burden to now add children, many of whom DOC has no background information, history, or understanding of their needs, to the list of those in their care.
Instead, information about community-based mental health resources could be made available at the Central Visit House and on DOC visitor buses so families can voluntarily connect themselves.
to services they feel would benefit them.
Visiting Rikers is still such a traumatizing and dehumanizing experience for children and families and the incarcerated people they visit.
Under the best of circumstances, it is exhausting, stressful, and includes leaving your loved one behind, worrying about their well-being and safety.
The best way to support children and families'physical, mental, and emotional health is to ensure their interactions with DOC staff are child-sensitive and child-friendly and that their visits are protected.
And ultimately, we must collectively work together to expedite the closure of Rikers Island and return their loved ones home safely.
Thank you.
Thank you.