QUESTION
Can the agency effectively manage with the decreased HRA headcount amidst growing poverty?
2:28:55
·
128 sec
Molly Wasow Park, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, acknowledges the decrease in HRA headcount but emphasizes the ongoing FY25 budget negotiations and the shift towards online applications for cash and SNAP benefits.
- Despite a reported 14% decrease in HRA headcount since the mayor's office, negotiations for the FY25 budget are still ongoing.
- Over 90% of cash and SNAP applications are now received online, changing the dynamics of required staff.
- The Department of Social Services focuses on filling vacancies and adjusting to new technological processes.
- The decrease in headcount is offset by improvements and efficiencies in online application processes.
Lincoln Restler
2:28:55
Last item I just want to ask is the FY 25 budget headcount is 11,998.
2:29:00
Decrease of 136 positions and a decrease of 1659 positions since FY 21.
2:29:07
We're talking about 14, 13, 14% decrease in HRA headcount, just since the mayor came into office.
2:29:15
Despite 1 in 40 workers living in poverty and you all having highest cash assistance in food stamps roles that you've had in decades.
2:29:22
So do you think you can actually manage the agency effectively with this headcount.
2:29:28
And I just will note that when administrator fits Patrick, who I have a lot of respect for, testified, and congratulations to administrator French, testified before this committee last year, she said that in her 40 year history at HRA, the headcount in the agency had never been that low.
2:29:41
Do you believe that you can meet the needs of New Yorkers with poverty growing as significantly as it is?
2:29:49
With this massive reduction in headcount that that the mayor has imposed, that OMB has imposed on you since he came into office.
Molly Wasow Park
2:29:56
Thank you, council member.
2:29:57
So with respect to the change between FY24 and FY25, that is a piece that is still under negotiation and conversation.
2:30:05
I don't think those numbers are finalized yet.
Lincoln Restler
2:30:08
But it is the proposed I mean, it is the headcount in the in the preliminary budget.
2:30:11
That they released.
Molly Wasow Park
2:30:12
And emphasis on preliminary.
Lincoln Restler
2:30:14
Totally.
2:30:14
And we'll fight you.
Molly Wasow Park
2:30:16
Still still under negotiation.
2:30:18
With respect to the larger trends, you know, there's yes, headcount is down over a long period of time, but there's also been significant shifts in the way that benefits are administered Right?
2:30:30
So at this point, more than 90% of cash and SNAP applications are about 90% of cash and SNAP applications are received online.
2:30:37
Right?
2:30:38
It's a very different process than it looked like, you know, even 10 years ago.
2:30:44
So, you know, absolutely the people who do the work or the lifeblood of the agency.
2:30:50
We need to keep monitoring that.
2:30:51
We need to keep hiring to fill up our vacancies, and that's something that this team can tell you I've been very laser focused on and you see that in our the growth in our headcount.
