Home Email Us!
About Us
Advocacy
Programming
CSCS Members List
Membership Services
Publications
Library
Photo Gallery
Events
CSCS Links
Make a Contribution
Contact Us
 
Search Site




  

ACTION ALERT
MAY 16, 2007

CITY BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON –
IT’S TIME TO ADVOCATE FOR SENIOR SERVICES

SEE PAGE 2 FOR CSCS BUDGET FY2008 PRIORITIES
AND PAGE 3 FOR ACTION STEPS – COUNCILMEMBERS NEED
TO HEAR FROM SENIORS NOW

REVISED CSCS FY2008 BUDGET PRIORITIES (see page two):

  • MSW/INFOA Hub Initiative postponed until next year: Due to the limited number of new initiatives that Councilmembers could carry, the MSW/INFOA Hub proposal will not move forward this year. Priority was given to advocating for senior center and services rent as this is a core infrastructure cost for CSCS members. CSCS plans to renew its efforts next year on the MSW/INFOA Hub as we believe that trained social workers will enhance the capacity of senior centers to serve seniors.

  • CSCS has also added on two items:

    • $3 million – installation of grab bars in the bathroom of senior tenants, age 62+. Each City Councilmember would receive funds. CSCS has worked on this issue for several years as a falls prevention program.

    • $2.6 million - Healthy Aging Initiative – Funded at $50,000 per City Council district, with a minimum of $25,000 per program. Each Councilmember could fund 1 or 2 programs. There will be an application process with DFTA (not an RFP).

  • Healthy lifestyles. Programs to promote healthy behaviors -physically active, eating healthy, and not smoking

  • Early detection of diseases. Programs to detect chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension early in their course.

  • Immunizations. Programs that help at-risk seniors receive the immunizations they need to prevent influenza and pneumonia.

  • Injury prevention. Programs that prevent falls and other preventable injuries through education, assistance, or home modifications.

  • Self-management techniques. Programs to teach self-management techniques such to manage the pain of arthritis, deal with fatigue and stress, and develop a personal exercise program can reduce both the pain and costs of chronic disease.

CSCS FY2008 BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR SENIOR SERVICES
MAY 16, 2007

AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY (AID) CAMPAIGN –
AID FOR NEW YORK’S SENIORS

BASELINE THE BASICS - $9.3 MILLION –
SENIOR MEALS, VANS AND SENIOR CENTER RENT

  1. COLA for senior services workers - $9 million - These funds would come from the administration. City Council could highlight the need for the COLA increase. It’s been two years since the aging services workforce has received a raise. The percentage increases match what DC-37 won.
  2. Baseline the Basics - $ 9.3 million –
    1. $4.5 million – senior meals – 35 cents more a meal
    2. $4.0 million – operational costs of vans - $7800 per vehicle
    3. $750,000 – senior center rents
  3. Restorations - $6.4 million –
    1. $750,000 – Safe Streets/Elderly Crime Victims program
      (was originally funded at $2.2 million)
    2. $5.6 million – City Council discretionary funds
  4. New initiatives – $13.7 million -
    1. $ 7 million – funding for rent at senior centers & sr. services
    2. $ 1 million – HIV/AIDS Initiative for Older Adults
    3. $100,000 – AGE Scholarships – “Aging Graduate Education” – scholarships for MSW students of all backgrounds in gerontology (part of the Latino Social Work Development Project)
    4. $3 million – grab bar installation in senior apartments
    5. $2.6 million – Healthy Aging Initiative at senior centers

For further information, please contact Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565 x226 or bsackman@cscs-ny.org

CSCS – THE POWER OF AGING!

$7 MILLION - SENIOR CENTER RENT PARTY!
PAPER CUP CAMPAIGN
ALL DONATIONS WELCOME!

SENIOR CENTER RENT IMPACTS ALL
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS

  • Senior centers throughout the city are facing rent increases. Unless they receive new funds, they will be forced to take the money from other parts of the budget cutting services and personnel.

  • The most basic support the city should provide to senior centers is rent money. City Council allocated $750,000 in the FY2007 budget for rent. This money is not baselined and additional funds are needed to meet the need citywide.

  • Other senior service organizations like case management agencies and adult day service programs also need rent funds.

WHAT YOU CAN DO - PAPER CUP CAMPAIGN:

  • Tape this message on to an 8 ounce cup – “$7 MILLION – SENIOR CENTER RENT PARTY – ALL DONATIONS WELCOME”

  • Tape this on the other side of the cup – _______ Senior Center, _______ (senior’s name) ______ (senior’s address)

  • Mail or hand deliver them in BULK to your Councilmember(s) local district office in a manila envelope (please do not mail cups individually as that would annoy the staff in the Councilmember’s office)About 25 cups could fit into one manila envelope.

  • Include a cover letter from your agency – Tell the Councilmember that senior centers need rent money to remain open. If your center needs rent funds, tell the Councilmember how much money you need. If agencies don’t receive new funds for rent, they will have to cut services or personnel.

THE MORE CUPS THE BETTER NEED TO BE DELIVERED IMMEDIATELY!

BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING ON NOW