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

Action Alert

ACTION ALERT
JANUARY 29, 2003

ADVOCACY WORKS!
MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S JANUARY PLAN RESTORES $21 MILLION OF PROPOSED SERVICE CUTS FOR FY2003 AND FY 2004 TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING

DFTA	FY ' 04 cut	restoration
Consolidation of 30 senior centers, 3 other programs reduced/eliminated	$2.2 million	restored
6th weekend congregate meals	$1.77 million	restored
Meal contributions - increase participant contributions by 20 cents per meal	$1.3 million - FY03$2.6 million - FY04	restored - for FY03 andFY04
NORCS in NYCHA sites	$1 million	restored
Furlough - close senior centers one day per week	$7.4 million	restored
SUBTOTAL	$ 16.3 million	restored

MISCELLANEOUS RESTORATIONS:
FY03 - $2.08 million (Safe Streets & BP money- these funds could be spent now) and FY04 - $4.78 million - CSCS has received information that FY04 misc. restorations include:

Non-core services	$450,000	Restored
City Council discretionary funds	$1.77 million	Restored
Extended services	$361,459	Restored
Safe Streets (crime victims)	$2.2 million	Restored
SUBTOTAL	$ 4.78 million	Restored
TOTAL RESTORATIONS:	$21 MILLION

Restorations were possible because $29.4 million in state and federal funds are being transferred to DFTA from the NYC Housing Authority to cover the cost of the 105 senior centers in NYCHA sites. This means that no funds were taken from other human services. Administration of the senior centers will remain under DFTA and current contractors will retain their contracts.

• Safe Streets/Elderly Crime Victims Assistance - It is our understanding that Mayor Bloomberg's budget plan restored all funding for the Safe Streets/Elderly Crime Victims program. We need to ensure that DFTA releases the money immediately in order to re-instate the program.

THANK MAYOR BLOOMBERG!
CSCS applauds Mayor Bloomberg for recognizing the importance of services to seniors and 
the magnitude of the restorations.

What you can do: Send thank you letters immediately to Mayor Bloomberg:

MODEL LETTER

Date

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, New York 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

As a member of the ___ senior center (or NORC) in (borough), I thank you for not cutting services to seniors. My senior center is very important to me.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code

Individually written letters are best. You can mail them in bulk.


CSCS will keep you updated on the budget as information unfolds.

For further information, please call Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565, x226.


CSCS - FIGHTING FOR YOU EVERY DAY!