About Could This Happen in Your Program?: The Podcast
Join us each month for "Could This Happen in Your Program?," a podcast from the NYS Justice Center where we find collaborative solutions for protecting New York's most vulnerable.
Each episode, we’ll delve into real-world scenarios and Justice Center case studies, uncovering proven tactics to combat systemic abuse. Hear from Justice Center staff, agency providers, individuals with lived experience, and more as we explore how we can work together to build a safer New York.
Publisher
NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs
In this episode, we discuss the role meaningful employment plays in protecting the health, safety, and dignity of people with disabilities. Our guest today is John Robinson, founder of Our Ability. Together, we explore the real-world barriers job seekers with disabilities may face in the hiring process, how Our Ability is using innovative technology and candidate-first matching to bridge the gap, and the steps employers can take to create inclusive and accessible workplaces. Whether you...
3 Sept 2026
Environmental Considerations for Suicide Prevention
People with disabilities are not immune to the risk of suicide, even when in the care of others. In this episode, we speak with Tricia Hartnett, deputy director of the Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives at the NYS Office of Mental Health, to discuss suicide risk and prevention for people receiving care from New York State service systems. Together, we explore how to move past common misconceptions about risk and identify the behavioral warning signs that are often overlooked.&n...
17 Aug 2026
Understanding Pica
In this episode, we dive into a complex and often misunderstood behavioral eating disorder: pica. Characterized by the persistent craving and ingestion of non-food substances—such as soil, chalk, fabric, or metal—pica presents unique clinical and safety challenges, particularly within the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community. Our guest today is Dr. Mary O’Neill, principal psychologist with the Bureau of Clinical Project Management at the Office for People with Developm...
22 Jul 2026
Celebrating and Fostering Disability Pride
In honor of Disability Pride Month, we kick off this episode by sitting down with our Director of Disability, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) to discuss the importance of Disability Pride and why true inclusion requires moving beyond baseline reasonable accommodations and bringing underrepresented voices and lived experiences into the conversation. Then, we go live from Empire State Plaza for the State’s Disability Pride on the Plaza Celebration. You’ll hear directly from aw...
23 Jun 2026
Evolving Protections for Those in Care
To mark National Safety Month and the one-year anniversary of the “Could This Happen in Your Program?” podcast, we are looking ahead to the next chapter of our mission and the Justice Center’s commitment to prevent, protect, and advocate for New Yorkers with disabilities. Our guests, Chief of Staff Dr. Jessica Pidgeon and Director of Strategic Initiatives & Portfolio Management Mike Wilmot, join us to provide a first look at the Justice Center’s new strategic plan. We’ll discuss how the a...
18 May 2026
Making New York’s Services Accessible by Design
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, this month we shift the conversation around accessibility from checklists to compliance deadlines to the heart of the matter: People. When a person with a disability can access information via a website or a digital application, it’s one more step toward creating a more inclusive state for all. In this episode, we sit down with Michele Bruno from the New York State Office of Information Technology and Jeffrey Knaack from the New York State...
21 Apr 2026
Protecting Others Through Community
In recognition of April’s National Volunteer Month, we’re discussing the important role volunteers play in some of the Justice Center’s most critical programs. Earlier on the “Could This Happen in Your Program?” podcast, we introduced you to the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee—a non-court alternative authorized to provide consent for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care in New York. In this episode, we will go deeper, discussing the critical role volunt...
23 Mar 2026
Advocacy & Person-Centered Safety
In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we explore how self-advocacy and family support help ensure that people with developmental disabilities live with dignity, choice, and security. We begin with Dr. Lucina Clarke, Executive Director and Co-Founder of My Time Inc. Dr. Clarke shares her mission to support the pillars of the disability community who are too often forgotten: the parents and caregivers. Dr. Clarke explains why caregiver wellness and educatio...
24 Feb 2026
Understanding Trauma and the Trauma-Informed Approach
In investigations and human services, we often focus on the mechanics of a case. Yet, at the heart of every interaction is a person who has likely experienced a significant crisis. In this episode, we explore why a trauma-informed approach is critical for anyone who works with people in vulnerable situations. It's a shift in perspective that moves us from simply "getting the facts" to understanding the human being behind the story. We'll start by breaking down what trauma actually is a...
28 Jan 2026
How Body Checks Protect Those In Care
For those who may be unable to report pain or describe an injury, body checks provide an early warning sign to assess a person and help tell that story. In this episode, we explore why body checks are far more than paperwork; they are a vital tool for protection, dignity, and early intervention. We're joined by Serena Sturman-Pupons, Deputy Counsel at the Justice Center and a former nurse, to discuss how a careful eye can ensure that every person receives the medical attention an...
15 Dec 2025
How the Justice Center Uses Data to Prevent Harm
Most people know the NYS Justice Center investigates abuse and neglect. But what many don't know is that at the heart of the agency is a powerful Data and Analytics unit—a team of data scientists working to make the entire system safer. In this episode, we spotlight our data unit and how the Justice Center leverages incident reports to identify systemic dangers that no single provider or case file could reveal. We use a powerful real-world example: the agency's data-driven response to f...
17 Nov 2025
The Safety Net for Informed Medical Consent
In situations where an individual is unable to provide informed consent and has no family or legal surrogate available, major medical decisions can stall in the court system, resulting in delayed care. This episode of the "Could This Happen in Your Program?" podcast explores the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee (SDMC), a critical, non-court alternative authorized by New York State to provide timely and personalized consent for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care. &nb...
20 Oct 2025
Assistive Technology and Accessibility for Job Seekers
In celebration of Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month (DREAM), this episode features a discussion with two specialists in assistive technology. We explore how assistive technology (AT) can aid individuals with disabilities not only in their careers but also in their personal and leisure activities. We’ll define what we mean by assistive technology devices, demonstrate how these tools can enhance the success and independence of individuals with disabilities in the workplac...
24 Sept 2025
Maintaining Professional Boundaries with Individuals Receiving Services
In this episode, we'll discuss the concept of professional boundaries, help to clearly define what they are, why they're non-negotiable, and how to train providers and staff on maintaining clear, respectful, and appropriate professional boundaries when working with individuals with disabilities. We'll also tackle the tricky side: the risks associated with failing to uphold professional boundaries and the common challenges that often arise. Finally, we’ll walk through a Justice Ce...
8 Sept 2025
Celebrating DSPs: A Conversation with NADSP’s Joe Macbeth
Welcome to the "Could This Happen in Your Program?" podcast, where we find collaborative solutions to protecting NY’s most vulnerable populations. The Justice Center is proud to celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which is happening from September 7 – 13. This week is a chance to shine a light on the committed direct support workforce at the heart of care for individuals with disabilities. On today’s episode, we are honored to be joined by Joe Macbeth, P...
18 Aug 2025
Heatstroke and Harm: Protecting Vulnerable Populations from Summer Heat
As the summer heat intensifies across New York State, so do the heightened risks of heat-related dangers, especially for individuals receiving services. In this episode, we sit down with two staff members from the Justice Center – Tracey Sosa, Assistant Director of Prevention and Quality Improvement at the agency, and Tabitha Purcell, a Quality of Care Facility Review Specialist and a Registered Nurse – to tackle the significant risk of heat illness among vulnerable populations. Our co...
21 Jul 2025
Supporting Safe & Inclusive Community Outings
The summer months bring increased opportunities for individuals receiving services to participate in activities and outings and to become more involved in their local communities. During this episode, we sit down with Erin Pinchbeck and Carisa Huble from Northern Rivers Family of Services to discuss the benefits of community outings, as well as best practices for planning and executing outings to ensure they are safe and inclusive. We'll explore how factors such as navigating so...
13 Jun 2025
Creating a Culture of Safety Within Your Organization
Davin Robinson, Deputy Director, explains how organizations cultivate safety through background checks, staff exclusion lists, and specialized training programs in this interview episode.
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Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
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