TESTIMONY
Marianela Diaz on the Critical Underfunding and Supporting Needs of the Human Services Sector in New York City
6:35:06
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128 sec
Marianela Diaz highlights the severe underfunding of the Human Services Sector in New York City and proposes solutions.
- Diaz serves as the Campaign and Policy Manager for the Human Services Council, representing over 170 human service providers.
- She details the Council's role in supporting essential services for various vulnerable demographics including the elderly, homeless, and those with disabilities.
- Key issues mentioned include the human services workforce being among the lowest compensated in NYC despite their critical roles.
- Chronic underfunding by city agencies harms low-wage workers and jeopardizes nonprofit organizations.
- Diaz calls for a 5% cost of living adjustment in the current budget year with a promise of 3% in subsequent years, aiming for a 16% total investment in human service workers.
Marianela Diaz
6:35:06
Good afternoon, Chair of Brennan and members of the New York City Council Committee on Finance.
6:35:10
My name is Marianella Diaz, and I'm the campaign and policy manager of the Human Services Council.
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A membership organization representing over a 170 human service providers in New York City.
6:35:21
HSC serves our membership as a coordinating body advocate and intermediary between the human services sector and government.
6:35:29
We take on this work that our members can focus on running their organizations and providing critical direct support to New Yorkers.
6:35:37
These are the nonprofits that support our city's children, seniors, those experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, individuals who are incarcerated or otherwise involved in the justice system.
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Immigrants and individuals coping with substance abuse and other mental health and behavioral challenges.
6:35:56
We strive to help our members better serve their clients by addressing matters such as government procurement practices, disaster, preparedness, and recovery, government funding, and public policies that impact the sector.
6:36:10
Years of underfunding of the sector have resulted in the human services workforce being some of the lowest compensated workers in New York City's economy.
6:36:18
These are the workers who do not who do some of the most important jobs in our communities.
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They take care of our aging, neighbors, assist families in staying in their homes, work with people to overcome substance abuse and addiction and help people from all walks of life in the event of an emergency.
6:36:35
Yeah.
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Despite all of this, They are drastically underpaid.
6:36:39
City agencies are not getting a deal by chronically underfunding human services contracts to balance their budget.
6:36:46
It is further harming the low wage wardards.
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The city relies on to keep these programs running while pushing community rooted nonprofits into failure.
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During a time of increase in 8.
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It is fundamental to invest a 5% cola in this budget year and publicly commit to a 3% cola in the each of the next years bringing the full investment in human service workers to 16%.
6:37:11
Thank you so much, and thank you for having me.