ACTION ALERT
JANUARY 27, 2004


MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES NO CLOSINGS OF SENIOR CENTERS

THERE ARE STILL RESTORATIONS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN

WHEN ELECTED OFFICIALS VISIT YOUR PROGRAM, 
IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS THE PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING

FY2005 CITY BUDGET AGENDA:

1. $9 million - Restorations to cuts effecting food and case management –

   1. $8 million food cut restoration – This year’s budget includes an $8 million cut to the food budget. The $8 million was part of an overall $75 million “streamlining” social services package which City Council agreed to as long as services weren’t diminished. This cut is the driving the meals-on-wheels RFP in the Bronx and will likely result in other proposals by DFTA to cut funding for meals. Restoration of these funds is critical.

   2. Withdrawal of the Bronx meals-on-wheels RFP – This is an untested plan which cuts funding; puts homebound seniors at risk of receiving less than five day a week delivery and other services; presents numerous logistical problems to implement; and results in the loss of 60 jobs including drivers and deliverers who are a lifeline to frail, homebound elderly. This plan shouldn’t happen in the Bronx or other boroughs.

   3. $1 million – Transfer EISEP assessment of homebound clients to HRA.

2. $11.6 million - Baselining (making permanent) this year’s restorations –

We all worked hard to restore funding for this fiscal year. HOWEVER, this was only a one year restoration. If these funds aren’t restored, this money will be eliminated as of July 1, 2004. If it is not a permanent restoration, we will be forced to fight for the same funding year after year which will hurt the elderly and agencies that serve them. Since these items were restored last year, it makes sense that they be restored permanently. This includes:

• $7.5 million – Borough President funds

• $1.7 million – weekend sixth meal program

• $1.6 million – 9 information and referral contracts 

• $ 390,000 – two senior centers (Mayor Bloomberg has promised not to close any senior centers so hopefully this money will be baselined.)

3. $ 7.2 million - Restore what was lost over the past two years –
   1. eliminated - English as a Second Language (ESL) - $750,000
   2. eliminated - Safe Streets/ Elderly Crime Victims - $2.2 million
   3. eliminated - Social workers in senior centers for mental health services – $ 2.5 million
   4. eliminated - 4 seniors centers in underserved immigrant areas - $1.4 million
   5. cut - Extended Services Programs (information & referral) - $360,000

IT IS TIME TO PERMANENTLY RESTORE FUNDS FOR MEALS AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY 


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


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