TESTIMONY
Elizabeth Bird, Director of Public Policy at Educational Alliance, on Recommendations to Make NYC More Age-friendly
2:21:30
·
135 sec
Elizabeth Bird testifies on how to align NYC's budget with its age-friendly commitment by presenting six specific recommendations.
- Proposes maintaining council agency initiative funding at Fiscal Year 2023 levels to support various programs and expenses.
- Recommends baselining capital funds for the repair and maintenance of older adult centers.
- Suggests investing $20 million for expanding comprehensive social work services for older New Yorkers.
- Advocates for a $53 million investment to combat older adult hunger and for a cost of living adjustment for professionals in older adult services.
- Urges reversing all cuts to NYC aging programs to support the growing population of older adults in need.
- Represents her colleague, Zamora Maldonado, in presenting these recommendations aimed at making New York age-friendly.
Elizabeth Bird
2:21:30
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
2:21:33
My name is Elizabeth Bird.
2:21:34
I'm director of public policy at Educational Alliance.
2:21:37
We contract with NYC Aging to serve a highly diverse population of about 4000 older adults annually at our Weinberg older adult center, our co op village, Newark, and our Serovitch OAC.
2:21:48
Today, I will share testimony on behalf of my colleague, Zamora Maldonado.
2:21:53
She is the senior director of older adult programs at EA.
2:21:57
Today, I'm going to provide 6 recommendations to make the city budget better reflect its commitment to creating an age friendly New York.
2:22:05
First, maintain council agency initiative funding at FY23 levels.
2:22:10
Council discretionary funding is foundational to our work.
2:22:13
The funds you allocated in FY24 helped us cover expenses not funded by our NYC aging contracts.
2:22:20
For food, program in building supplies, salaries for kitchen administrative and program personnel, and meaningful trip experiences for our members.
2:22:29
2nd, baseline capital funds dedicated to repair and maintenance of our older adult centers.
2:22:35
Organizations like us simply cannot continue to provide services without resources needed to keep our buildings in good repair.
2:22:44
Invest $20,000,000 to expand comprehensive social work for older New Yorkers.
2:22:49
Our OACs and Newark have seen an increased need for social services, particularly amongst Chinese speaking and Spanish speaking members.
2:22:57
As well as increasingly complex cases.
2:23:00
With a rapid increase in the number of older adults experiencing homelessness, we need enough staff who can work with members achieve financial stability, prevent the loss of their homes, apply for benefits like scree and find affordable housing.
2:23:15
Next, combat older adult hunger through a $53,000,000 investment in older adult congregate meals to offset Recent inflationary costs, invest in a cost of living adjustment for professionals in older adult services, And finally, reverse all cuts to NYC aging and reinvest in older adults, planned cuts to OACs at a time when the population of high need New Yorkers.
2:23:39
Over 60 is growing.
2:23:40
Simply does not reflect a commitment to an age friendly city.
2:23:43
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
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Jeanette Estima from Citymeals on Wheels on Enhancing Funding and Support for Home-Delivered Meal Services