Page 32 - The Indian EYE 102023

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 32

NYC office holds ethnic and community media

roundtable on Halal food access in public schools

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he office of Ethnic and com-
munity media held an eth-
Tnic and community media
roundtable on October 11 to raise
awareness about Halal food access
in public schools in New York city.
Chris Tricarico, New York City Pub-
lic Schools Senior Executive Director
of the Office of Food and Nutrition
Services was the main speaker where-
as Jose Bayona, Executive Director,
MOECM was the moderator. and certifications. system with integrity from Farm to respective site. As per MAS, every
The Halal Food Program was There are unannounced inspec- Fork to become certified and per- child should have options to fulfil
created to strengthen food equity for tion by moms and the foods are clear- mitted to offer and serve Halal food their nutritional needs without con-
children in NYC schools. The pro- ly labelled. There is a plan to expand products. Throughout the school cerns of violating religious dietary
gram applies the highest standard of the certification process to include as year all certified schools will partake restrictions or feeling left out from
Halal to cater all Muslim students. many schools as possible. in announced and unannounced enjoying foods, like chicken nug-
Majlis Ash-Shura (MAS), Islamic Chris Tricarico, New York City maintenance inspections to affirm gets, with their fellow peers.
Leadership Council of New York, Public Schools Senior Executive Halal product and food handler in- Mr Sunil Hali, Publisher and
became the first halal certifying body Director of the Office of Food and tegrity.” Promoter, The Indian EYE World-
in New York to certify public schools. Nutrition Services explained the If any school communities are wide Media & Entertainment Group,
Since the successful pilot program in process, “ School Principal(s) may interested in an extended halal raised an important point of how this
6 NYC public schools in 2018, it ex- request the Halal Food Program menu, their school principal will initiative has attracted more students
panded to certification of 88 schools. through their School Food Service work with the entire school commu- to schools. By introducing halal meat
The New York city public schools Manager. A school’s kitchen must nity and Majlis Ash-Shura (MAS) in the menu, no child has to feel left
partnered with MAS for procure- be inspected and in compliance with the Islamic Leadership Council of behind when it comes to enjoying
ment of halal meat, training the staff a Halal Food Safety Management New York to add the service to the lunch with their school companions.

NYC Health Department launches 988 Campaign for Mental Health

OUR BUREAU support at every level”, said Eva Wong, Executive
Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Community
New York, NY
Mental Health. “988, just as NYC Well before it, will
his World Mental Health Day, the Depart- serve as a lifeline for those in need, offering immedi-
ment of Health and Mental Hygiene an- ate support and hope in moments of despair.”
Tnounced a new campaign to raise awareness New Yorkers will continue to receive the
of 988, the national mental health hotline launched same mental health support provided by NY-
last year. CWell when they call 988. New Yorkers experi-
The month-long campaign will include a tele- encing mental health crisis, looking for emotional
vised PSA featuring everyday New Yorkers and the support, information or referral to mental health
Health Commissioner, as well as advertisements services can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.
online, and on radio, television and in outdoor pub- org/chat. People looking to speak with a certified
lic settings. “988 should be the go-to resource for peer specialist should request “peer support”
any New Yorker seeking mental health support for when they are connected to a counselor. Providers
themselves, someone they love or know, or some- making referrals to Mobile Crisis Teams for chil-
one they see in crisis,” said Health Commissioner health needs, pressing or long-term, severe or even dren and adults can continue to select the Mobile
Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Over time, 988 will become as less worrying, to dial these three digits 9-8-8. New Crisis Team Referrals option on the “For Provid-
routine to call for New Yorkers as 911, and New York City will help you get support.” ers tab” at nyc.gov/988.
York City will set an example for the nation in how New York City maintained the NYCWell call New York City has become a national paradigm
to successfully implement the federal mental health in number for one year to ease the transition to the in 988 implementation, building off earlier crisis re-
crisis support hotline. We’re grateful to President federal, easy to remember number – 988. Callers sponse investments and the city’s successful history
Biden for the investments already made over the last from non-New York City area codes can request to developing NYC Well.
year since 988 launched. Our city is healthier when be transferred to local resources. The campaign comes as New York City has
we center mental health and have the support we “The city remains committed to ensuring that been scaling up mental health resources in all five
need, when we need it. I urge everyone with mental New Yorkers have easy access to mental health boroughs.

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