CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

Action Alert

ACTION ALERT
February 6, 2003

GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED FY 2003-04 BUDGET ELIMINATES
PROGRAMS, REDUCES NEW YORK STATE
OFFICE FOR THE AGING FUNDING BY $6.4 MILLION or 10%

Gov. George E. Pataki released his FY 2003-04 proposed budget on January 29, 2003 that calls for the consolidation of some programs while eliminating others, and reducing NYSOFA funding by $6.4 million.

*A reduction of $6,404,521 to SOFA's budget(10% cut).

Consolidation of SOFA Programs

• Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE)
• Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)

Currently CSE and EISEP are two separate funding streams. The governor's proposal consolidates the two funding streams into a single CSE program that will provide the same range of services of the previous program and cuts the funding by $3.3 million statewide.

• While the program will continue to provide personal assistance, case management, transportation, meals, and other basic living assistance, local governments will be required to increase their share of the overall costs from 25% to 30%.
• As NYC is already overmatched, we do not expect a cut in the city portion.
• NYC gets about 40% of CSE & EISEP state funding so the cut is approximately $1.3 million.
• Elimination of NORC funding - CSCS is working with the NORC Coalition to restore this cut.
• Cut to adult day services - CSCS will advocate for the restoration of adult day service funding.

What You Can Do:

• Contact your state representatives and ask them for their support to get funding restored to the FY 03-04 budget.

For further information contact Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, 212.398.6565 X 226 or Denise Sharpton, Public Policy Associate, 212.398.6565x 228.

CSCS - FIGHTING FOR YOU EVERYDAY