Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel speaks at Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce event with Chamber CEO Dan Heitzenrater (June 2, 2023)

Local agencies are working on obtaining additional funding to help migrants in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event, said he’s been in touch with the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray about bringing in funds to the county, “There is a $100,000 grant coming from the Department of State that’s actually here I think. I talked with COI, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. They are the lead agency. There looks to be another increase, I was told it was about $350,000. That’s to assist the people that are here. You know, we’re looking to get caseworkers, we’re looking to get assistance in housing.”

Wendel emphasized that his State of Emergency declaration wasn’t to keep people from coming to Chautauqua County but to keep New York City from arbitrarily sending people here and leaving them without resources, “It’s a challenge, but you know, our people who are working boots on the ground run for that challenge. They’re doing a great job. We have Amish families assisting our migrants and our asylum seekers. So, again, people who live in very meager means assisting. We have a great deal of humanitarian aid going. We just need the state and federal government to step up, our governor in particular, to make the stance and get some action so that these people can work and provide for their families.”

Wendel extended the emergency order for an additional five days on May 30th. It first took effect on May 18, 2023.

The order prohibits municipalities from bringing in and housing people in the County; prohibits hotels and motels from housing immigrants without a license; and requires any municipalities that might bring migrating or asylum-seeking people into the county to ensure they will be fully cared for and paid for.

While the State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, at which time it may be extended, the emergency order according to law is extended in five-day intervals.

Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at Orthodox Union to announce the formation of the Department of Human Rights’ Hate and Bias Prevention Unit (December 12, 2022)

A new State Human Rights Unit is being established to help deal with hate and bias prevention in New York State.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the statewide Hate and Bias Prevention Unit, which is charged with leading public education and outreach efforts, serving as an early warning detection system in local communities, and quickly mobilizing to support areas and communities in which a bias incident has occurred.

As part of the new Unit’s mandate, the Division is organizing 10 regional councils across the state made up of local stakeholders. These councils will provide a place for community members to share concerns, organize educational programming, host hate crime prevention and community healing events, conduct trainings in conflict resolution, and facilitate the filing of complaints with the Division and other relevant agencies. The Unit also will develop a rapid response team to assist communities affected by a bias or hate incident.

The Hate and Bias Prevention Unit also will be responsible for establishing and implementing a statewide campaign promoting acceptance, inclusion, tolerance, and understanding of diversity.

The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services annually investigates more than 5,000 complaints of discrimination from individuals across the state. The agency also has the authority to initiate investigations and file complaints alleging violations of the state anti-discrimination law and last year, the Division secured more than $6.2 million in monetary damages for individuals who have experienced discrimination. The Division also works with the New York State Police to educate New Yorkers on the State’s hate crimes laws.

The funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency was awarded to county emergency management agencies in New York State to support planning and operational readiness for disaster response.

The funding assists efforts ranging from the development and implementation of training and exercises to acquiring emergency response resources at the county level.

To receive funding, counties must develop projects or initiatives that strengthen their own readiness and response capabilities to address all potential hazards. Projects may focus on addressing efforts identified by FEMA as needing national improvement, including logistics and distribution management planning, evacuation planning, disaster financial management, catastrophic disaster housing and resilient communications.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will administer the funding on behalf of FEMA.