FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:   Diane Ward, Office of Communications

(518) 549-0200

diane.ward@justicecenter.ny.gov

A new poster designed to raise awareness about the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs’ (Justice Center) statewide toll-free hotline is now available. The Vulnerable Persons’ Central Register hotline receives reports of suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable New Yorkers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The poster, entitled “Keeping People with Special Needs Safe is Everyone’s Responsibility,” was designed to capture the spirit of the partnership between the Justice Center and the dedicated men and women who provide supports and services to people with special needs.

“This poster contains important information about reporting and should remind staff of the vital role they play in supporting and safeguarding people with special needs,” said Executive Deputy Director Jay Kiyonaga.

Staff and human service professionals who witness or suspect mistreatment of a vulnerable person have a duty to report the incident to the Justice Center’s hotline. Individuals receiving services, their families and the public are also encouraged to report. The poster lists the hotline’s number, 1-855-373-2122. If needed, free language interpretation assistance is available for callers.

Hotline posters are to be prominently displayed in all facilities and programs under the Justice Center’s jurisdiction, which includes those that are operated, licensed or certified by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Department of Health (DOH), the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the State Education Department (SED).

The poster also features a QR Code that links to the Justice Center’s website.

View the poster here.

Copies of the poster in English or Spanish can be obtained by contacting the state agencies named in this release or by emailing the Justice Center at webmaster@justicecenter.ny.gov. Electronic copies of the poster which has been translated in other languages are available for download on the Justice Center’s website at

https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/resources/publications/posters

About the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs

Established by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Legislature, the Justice Center is dedicated to supporting and protecting people with special needs and disabilities. The Justice Center is a law enforcement agency which has concurrent jurisdiction with state and local law enforcement agencies and District Attorneys to investigate and, when appropriate, prosecute allegations of abuse and neglect committed against people with special needs in New York. It also serves as an advocate for people with disabilities and special needs.