TESTIMONY
Michelle Berney, Director at the Community Service Society of New York, on Advocating for Continued Funding for the NYC Benefits Initiative
4:50:50
·
132 sec
Michelle Berney emphasizes the need for continued funding for the NYC Benefits Initiative to aid New Yorkers' access to benefits.
- Berney, representing the Benefits Plus Learning Center, testifies on the initiative's groundbreaking partnership between the city, CBOs, and technical assistance providers.
- Highlights the initiative's ability to significantly expand access to urgently needed benefits through a comprehensive training curriculum and case consultation.
- Commends the Adams Administration's commitment to benefits access and the potential for systemic improvement.
- Advocates for the initiative's importance in maintaining long-term strategic improvements to the benefits system.
Michelle Berney
4:50:50
Good afternoon, Deputy Speaker Ayala, and members of the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare.
4:50:54
My name is Michelle Bernade, and I'm the Director of the Benefit plus learning center at the Community Service Society of New York.
4:51:01
The benefits plus learning center at CSS has been at the forefront of benefits access work for 30 years.
4:51:07
Training social service providers and public benefits and housing programs through workshops, publications, and case consultation.
4:51:13
Thank you, deputy speaker Ayala, and council member Hudson for highlighting the NYC benefits initiative today.
4:51:21
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in the importance of continued funding for this initiative for the duration of the 3 year period that was originally envisioned.
4:51:28
This project is groundbreaking.
4:51:29
It's an fans of 1st of its kind partnership between the city, 3 dozen CBOs across the city, and technical assistance providers with benefit legal and policy expertise.
4:51:39
As a TA provider, we work closely with our cohort of 12 CBOs, including Center for Family Life, DSS staff and the other 2 TA providers.
4:51:47
The nature of this initiative is consistent with the work that B PLC has been doing since its inception.
4:51:52
Working closely with social service providers so they can assist their clients with public benefits access and advocacy.
4:51:58
The training curriculum spans all public benefits and all complexities as well as housing programs, the ACCESS HRA portal, trauma informed care, and more.
4:52:08
The case consultation that we provide allows us to often assist the social service providers prior to requiring any escalation with our DSS partners.
4:52:16
And when escalation is required, our DSS partners are caring, compassionate, and tremendously responsive.
4:52:21
And for that, we are grateful.
4:52:24
When we are doing case consultation that really enables us to spot any emerging trends and also it allows us the opportunity to brainstorm on possible systemic changes.
4:52:35
This project has the potential to significantly expand New Yorkers access to urgently needed benefits and continued investment is essential.
4:52:42
We commend the Adams Administration's commitment to benefits access and its understanding that a longer term project such as NYC Benefits is needed to realize systemic change for the benefit of all New Yorkers.
4:52:54
CSS is honored to have the opportunity to work on the citywide initiative to bring about strategic improvements to the benefit system at all levels.
4:53:01
Thank you.
