AGENCY TESTIMONY
Funding challenges and need for increased state support
0:23:00
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134 sec
The Commissioner addresses the critical need for increased funding and support from New York State to ensure the success of the Community Care Plan and other aging services in New York City.
- Call for a seamless process of integrating people across different state-funded programs
- Advocacy for wage parity between EISEP-funded and Medicaid-funded home care workers
- Emphasis on the need for New York State to contribute at a level commensurate with the city's older adult population
- Highlighting the disparity in state funding (27%) compared to the city's share of the older adult population (47%)
- Discussion of the shift in NYC Aging's budget from state funding to primarily city tax levy
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:23:00
I'm going to repeat.
0:23:01
State of New York is integral funding structure for this portion of the community care plan.
0:23:07
There must be a seamless process of integrating people from one program to the next program to the next program.
0:23:15
It should not be a daunting brand new application as if you are unknown to the system in the past.
0:23:22
We are looking to the council's leadership on advocacy for this program.
0:23:27
Like what we saw earlier this year in advancing wage increases that matches ISAP funded program, home care workers compared to Medicaid funded colleagues.
0:23:37
One agency could have 2 type of workers, and they were getting different salaries.
0:23:41
We fought that last year.
0:23:43
We had to have a big fight against this year.
0:23:45
We'd got it done.
0:23:46
That should not occur.
0:23:49
Home care workers our home care workers.
0:23:51
The funding source should not determine salary parity and a a a livable wage.
0:24:00
It is imperative that New York state contribute at a commensurate level with the number of older New Yorker city residents, and ensure that the city is able to meet other important needs such as center improvement, infrastructure needs, program that benefits communities.
0:24:16
They also need to be a better partner in terms of addressing environmental and climate change issues.
0:24:22
I just added that chair.
0:24:24
I look forward to working with you this fall on next year's state legislative convene in Albany to discuss the better approaches, to benefit New York.
0:24:35
Gotta remind everybody.
0:24:36
New York City Aging.
0:24:39
Budget is primarily city tax levy.
0:24:41
At one point, it the a big portion of that was state funding.
0:24:46
And over time, that has diminished more and more.
0:24:48
So as we keep talking about all the things we need, we need to have a stronger partner in the state.
0:24:54
We're receiving 27% of the funding in many areas when we have 47% of the population.
0:25:01
And before I close, I want to acknowledge the introductions today included in today's agenda, namely the 2 surrounding the study on Norx and older adult workforce programs.
