Friday, January 7, 2011
By New York Nonprofit Press
Publication & Publisher: New York Nonprofit Press
Several significant mid-year cuts to New York City-funded human service programs have been restored – either fully or in part – through negotiations between the City Council and the Bloomberg Administration. Among the programs receiving varying degrees of funding restorations are the Department for the Aging (DFTA) case management contracts, programs for runaway and homeless youth, Beacons programs, the Cornerstone Out of School Time and OST programs. Also restored were 200 staff positions in the areas of child protective services.
“We recognize the difficult times we face and the Council has worked incredibly hard to ensure that any cuts that are made are done in the most thoughtful and responsible manner,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “We worked to secure funding for programs that serve the most vulnerable New Yorkers and to find alternative savings in order to reach a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.”
“I’m proud to say that this deal protects vulnerable New Yorkers from devastating service cuts, while still implementing $585 million in smart, targeted spending reductions for this year,” said Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Chair of the Finance Committee.
Advocates and service providers were particularly pleased that a proposed 30% reduction in funding for DFTA case management services was restored in full.
“Case managers link homebound seniors with all city services, including Meals on Wheels, homecare, and food stamps,” said Council Member Jessica Lappin, Chair of the Committee on the Aging. “These workers provide access to the hot meals and help that literally keep frail seniors alive and in their own homes. Without this help, thousands of seniors could end up in nursing homes, hospitals, or worse. I am pleased we were able to restore these funds to the Department for the Aging and protect some of our most vulnerable seniors.”
“CSCS is very appreciative of the leadership role of Speaker Christine Quinn and Committee on Aging Chair, Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, in winning the full restoration for case management services for thousands of frail older New Yorkers,” said Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy for the Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS). “A huge sigh of relief blew through the network of case managers and homebound elderly as they learned that services would remain intact. We look forward to working with City Council and the Bloomberg administration to ensure that New York City remains a place where we can grow old and remain safely in our homes with supportive social services.”
"On behalf of the 3,800 runaway and homeless youth who sleep on our City streets every night, I say thank you," said Council Member Lewis Fidler, Chair of the Council's Youth Services Committee. “Restoring the cuts to shelter services for these kids, the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, is a huge win for those who care about children. Our ability to restore some measure of the cuts to after-school services reflects the Council's priority supporting the care and education of our children and the importance of these programs for our future.”
“The jobs, services, and programs saved under this budgetary agreement will have a direct and positive impact on the welfare of children in the care of the Administration for Children’s Services including the most vulnerable and at-risk,” said Council Member Annabel Palma, Chair of the General Welfare Committee.
After weeks of negotiations between the Council and Administration, the two sides agreed on a package of alternative cuts and identified savings to fund the restored services. Included in the Council’s budget reductions are:
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