Here are the nonprofit leaders named to the Amazon advisory committee

“The Brian Lehrer Show” on Dec. 10 featured an in-depth discussion on foster care. New York Times reporter Nikita Stewart and Harry DiPrinzio discussed what’s behind the reported rise in abuse in foster care homes and how current law permits the separation of children and parents. Word on the figurative street is that the city is planning a complete overhaul of the foster care system when provider contracts are up in June 2020. Listen here.

Homeless advocates were back at it protesting at New York City Hall. Representatives of Housing Workers, the Coalition for the Homeless and VOCAL NY staged a sit-in inside the city government building. They were joined by City Councilman Jumaane Williams, City Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr. and others. The goal? To convince Mayor Bill de Blasio to set aside 30,000 units within his affordable housing plan for homeless people.

Advocates demanding 30,000 units for homeless New Yorkers inside City Hall. No sign of @NYCMayor here. pic.twitter.com/EM1H3d5dh4

— katie honan (@katie_honan) December 11, 2018

The New York state Senate announced the committee chairs for the upcoming session. The Committee on Social Services will be chaired by Roxanne Persaud. The Committee on Children and Families will be chaired by Velmanette Montgomery. The Committee on Mental Health will be chaired by David Carlucci and the Committee on Finance will be chaired by Liz Krueger. See the full list here.

The New Jewish Home has a new chief medical officer. Ed Wu is now responsible for the delivery of the nonprofit’s medical care. He previously worked in a similar capacity at Spring Health, where his ability to integrate technology and analytics in the services of patient care grabbed the attention of Jeffrey Farber, president and CEO of The New Jewish Home, according to a Dec. 10 press release.

“When we began our search for a CMO, our list of requirements was formidable,” Farber said in the press release. “In Dr. Ed Wu, we have found an innovative leader with a deep commitment to providing exceptional care. He is a data-driven strategist who shares our values of affirming dignity and embodying compassion to the clients we are privileged to serve.”

CoveCare Center has a new CEO. A press release from the Carmel-based nonprofit states that Eric Toth will take over that position at the beginning of 2019. He will replace Diane Russo, who is retiring after 20 years at the organization. Toth previously worked for the past 18 years at Family Services of Westchester and is an adjunct professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services

The American Museum of Natural History has won a big legal victory. New York Supreme Court Justice Lynn Kotler ruled on Dec. 10 that the museum could move ahead with plans to construct the Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation. The Community United to Protect Theodore Roosevelt Park had filed a lawsuit that argued that the project would unfairly damage the park adjacent to the museum. It’s unclear whether the nonprofit will appeal that decision.

“We applaud Judge Kotler’s decision today affirming that the Museum may proceed with construction of the Gilder Center and that all appropriate procedures in preparation for the project were followed,” reads a Dec. 10 statement from the museum. “The expansion will significantly enhance Museum education programs, visitors’ experience, and scientific work. We have also made a significant contribution to the ongoing maintenance and care of the park and will of course work closely with our partners to minimize any disruption throughout the construction project. We are very excited about moving forward and bringing this important project to fruition.”

Nonprofit leaders were among the people appointed to an advisory committee on Amazon’s Queens HQ2. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the formation of the committee to gather community views about the e-commerce giant’s move into the Long Island City neighborhood. A Dec. 11 press release states that the appointments were made in consultation with elected officials and others, though City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer – an outspoken critic of the project – declined to take part. Here are the nonprofit folks that made the cut:

• Plinio Ayala, president and CEO, Per Scholas
• Paul Finnegan, executive director, New York Irish Center
• Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, executive director, Hour Children  
• Debra-Ellen Glickstein, executive director, NYC Kids RISE
• Chris Hanway, executive director, Jacob A. Riis Settlement House
• Jukay Hsu, founder and CEO, Pursuit
• Richard Khuzami, president, Old Astoria Neighborhood Association   
• Annie Cotton Morris, president, Woodside Houses Tenant Association                  
• Joey Ortiz, executive director, NYC Employment and Training Coalition
• Tom Paino, chair, Hunters Point Community Coalition
• Julie Samuels, executive director, TechNYC
• April Simpson, president, Queensbridge Houses Tenant Association
• Matthew Troy, executive director of Variety Boys & Girls Club, Queens
• Andre Ward, associate vice president of Employment Services and Education, The Fortune Society
• Carol Wilkins, president, Ravenswood Houses Tenant Association
• Tom Wright, president and CEO, Regional Plan Association          
• Frank Wu, transportation and safety committee chair, Court Square Civic Association  
• Kathryn S. Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City     
• Judith Zangwill, executive director, Sunnyside Community Services       

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has questions for the city Human Resources Administration. A Dec. 10 letter to Commissioner Steven Banks of the New York City Department of Social Services follows the recent arrest of Jazmine Headley at the Fort Greene Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The arrest sparked outrage citywide after video shows police officers seemingly trying to rip a child out of her arms. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“Reports of Ms. Headley’s experience at the SNAP office that morning suggest that a number of structural issues may have contributed to the horrible outcomes in this instance,” Stringer writes in the letter. “First, it has been reported that Ms. Headley had lost access to her child care assistance, and that is why she was at the center with her young son in the first place. Secondly, the center itself was reportedly overcrowded, which led Ms. Headley to sit on the floor as she waited to be seen by Human Resources Administration staff.”