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New York City Council

Committee on Aging

Feb 25, 2025

·

01:00 PM

1 hr 31 min

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Summary

A hearing on older adult kinship caregiving resources and Introduction 1184, which would establish a program to support older adults providing kinship care.

Discussions focused on:

  • The closure of the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC)
  • Integration of kinship care services into existing caregiving programs
  • Challenges faced by older kinship caregivers
  • The potential impact of Intro 1184

Features testimony from the Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) and the public.

Meeting chapters

Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.

REMARKS

Council Member Crystal Hudson's opening remarks on older adult kinship caregiving resources and Introduction 1184

Council Member Crystal Hudson, chair of the Committee on Aging, delivers opening remarks for a hearing on older adult kinship caregiving resources and Introduction 1184. She provides context on the …

0:00:23

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4 min

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Introduction and background on kinship caregiving in NYC

Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez introduces herself and provides context on the importance of kinship caregiving in New York City. She emphasizes the vital role kinship caregivers play in supporting families and …

0:04:56

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3 min

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Overview of NYC Aging's caregiving program and services

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides an overview of NYC Aging's caregiving program, emphasizing its importance in supporting the growing number of older adults and caregivers in New York City. The program offers …

0:08:28

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3 min

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Key findings from the 2017 Unpaid Caregiver Survey

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez presents key findings from the 2017 Unpaid Caregiver Survey, focusing on the demographics and needs of kinship caregivers in New York City. The survey provided valuable insights that …

0:11:53

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53 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Current services and support for kinship caregivers

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez outlines the current services and support offered by NYC Aging for kinship caregivers. These services have been refined and developed based on the findings from the 2017 survey …

0:12:46

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123 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Closure of Grandparent Resource Center and integration of services

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez explains the closure of the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) and how its services have been integrated into existing NYC Aging programs. This change was made to improve efficiency …

0:14:50

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85 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Commissioner's response to proposed legislation (Intro 1184)

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez briefly addresses the proposed legislation, Introduction 1184, which would create a dedicated kinship care program within NYC Aging. She acknowledges the council's interest in this area and expresses …

0:16:15

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55 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Future plans and upcoming events for NYC Aging

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez concludes her testimony by highlighting upcoming plans and events for NYC Aging, emphasizing the agency's continued commitment to supporting older adults and caregivers in New York City. - …

0:17:10

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69 sec

Q&A

Inquiry about the closure date of the Grandparent Resource Center

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the official closure date of the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC). Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez confirms that the GRC closed in July 2023. - The question …

0:18:18

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35 sec

Q&A

Transition plan for former GRC clients and background on GRC operations

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides a detailed explanation of the GRC's closure, including staffing, utilization rates, and the transition plan for former clients. - The GRC had six staff members at the …

0:18:56

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3 min

Q&A

Measurement of service utilization and identification of kinship caregivers

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez explains how service utilization was measured and the challenges in identifying true kinship caregivers among program participants. - Utilization was measured by the number of concrete services received …

0:21:59

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108 sec

REMARKS

Overview of the Mayor's Action Plan (MAP) program

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides information about the Mayor's Action Plan (MAP) program and its role in determining service areas for kinship care. - The MAP program determined large geographic areas for …

0:23:51

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48 sec

Q&A

Ensuring quality and accessibility of kinship care resources post-GRC closure

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez explains how NYC Aging ensures the quality and accessibility of kinship care resources after the closure of the Grandparent Resource Center. - Kinship care services are now provided …

0:24:39

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82 sec

Q&A

Methods of informing older adults about kinship care resources

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez describes how NYC Aging informs older adults about existing kinship care resources, especially those who are not digitally connected. - The aging network, including nonprofit organizations, is funded …

0:26:01

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76 sec

Q&A

Coordination with other city agencies on kinship care resources

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez briefly describes NYC Aging's coordination with other city agencies to promote kinship care resources for older adult caregivers. - NYC Aging has a strong relationship with the Agency …

0:27:17

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29 sec

Q&A

Accessibility of kinship care resources for diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez explains how NYC Aging ensures kinship care resources are accessible to the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of older New Yorkers. - Service providers are required to offer …

0:27:46

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47 sec

Q&A

Legal assistance for kinship caregivers

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez discusses the legal assistance available to help older caregivers navigate complex processes such as guardianship, custody, and adoption. - NYC Aging does not provide legal services directly, except …

0:28:33

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48 sec

Q&A

Financial supports and overview of kinship care in the foster care system

The Deputy Commissioner provides an overview of financial supports available for kinship caregivers in the foster care system, including KinGAP (Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program). - 45% of children in foster …

0:29:21

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154 sec

Q&A

Connection between foster care system and NYC Aging caregiving program

The Deputy Commissioner discusses the relationship between the foster care system and NYC Aging's caregiving program for older kinship caregivers. - There is no formal relationship between the foster care …

0:31:56

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132 sec

Q&A

Mental health and wellness resources for older kinship caregivers

Both the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez discuss the mental health and wellness resources available to older kinship caregivers. - Foster care agencies work with families to ensure they have …

0:34:10

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103 sec

Q&A

Inquiry into Grandparent Resource Center staffing and budget

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the staffing and budget of the recently closed Grandparent Resource Center (GRC). Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez provides information on the number of staff and their …

0:35:54

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63 sec

Q&A

Statistics on clients served by the Grandparent Resource Center

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides statistics on the number of clients served by the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) in recent years, highlighting a decline in utilization. - In FY 2023, the GRC …

0:36:59

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101 sec

Q&A

Inquiry into GRC utilization rates and outreach efforts

Council Member Hudson inquires about the Grandparent Resource Center's utilization rates over the past decade and the advertising efforts made to attract potential clients. Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides limited information on …

0:38:44

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97 sec

Q&A

Data on caregiving services and older adult kinship caregivers

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides data on the number of individuals receiving caregiving services across New York City boroughs in recent fiscal years. - In FY 2024, 5,485 individuals received caregiving services …

0:40:23

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66 sec

Q&A

Detailed budget and staffing information for the Grandparent Resource Center

Council Member Hudson seeks detailed information about the Grandparent Resource Center's budget and staffing allocation. Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides some figures and commits to following up with additional information. - The …

0:41:36

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3 min

Q&A

Current caregiving support services offered by NYC Aging

Council Member Hudson inquires about the current caregiving support services offered by NYC Aging, particularly those that have replaced the former Grandparent Resource Center and Kinship Program. - NYC Aging …

0:45:05

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82 sec

Q&A

Fiscal year 2025 budget and service statistics for kinship care contracts

Council Member Hudson inquires about the fiscal year 2025 budget for kinship care contracts and the number of older adult caregivers served by contracted providers. Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez provides available data …

0:46:29

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131 sec

Q&A

Outreach and education strategies for kinship care support services

Council Member Hudson inquires about NYC Aging's outreach and education strategies for kinship care support services. Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez discusses current efforts and future plans. - Currently, there is no targeted …

0:48:43

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79 sec

Q&A

Discussion of Intro 1184 - establishing a program to support older adults providing kinship care

Council Member Hudson and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez discuss the proposed legislation, Intro 1184, which aims to establish a program to support older adults providing kinship care. - The commissioner does not …

0:50:02

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4 min

Q&A

Funding and resource allocation recommendations for Intro 1184

Council Member Hudson and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez discuss the funding and resource allocation recommendations for Intro 1184, revealing discrepancies between the Council's and the administration's fiscal impact statements. - The Council's …

0:54:41

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4 min

Q&A

Challenges faced by older adult kinship caregivers in the foster care system

The Deputy Commissioner from NYC Children's Services discusses the challenges faced by older adult kinship caregivers in the foster care system, highlighting issues common to all caregivers and some specific …

0:58:53

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141 sec

Q&A

Effects of Grandparent Resource Center closure on NYC Children's Services

Council Member Hudson inquires about the effects of the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) closure on NYC Children's Services. The Deputy Commissioner indicates minimal impact on their agency. - The Deputy …

1:01:18

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23 sec

Q&A

Coordination between NYC Children's Services and NYC Aging for kinship care assistance

The Deputy Commissioner discusses how NYC Children's Services coordinates with NYC Aging and other agencies to ensure older adult kinship caregivers receive specialized assistance. - NYC Children's Services is working …

1:01:42

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108 sec

Q&A

Training for NYC Children's Services staff on older adult kinship caregiver challenges

Council Member Hudson inquires about specialized training for NYC Children's Services caseworkers and frontline staff to address the unique challenges faced by older adult kinship caregivers. The Deputy Commissioner provides …

1:03:30

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46 sec

Q&A

Legal assistance and options for older adult kinship caregivers

The Deputy Commissioner explains how NYC Children's Services ensures older adult caregivers understand their legal options and receive timely legal assistance. - For children in foster care who will not …

1:04:15

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65 sec

Q&A

NYC Children's Services' perspective on proposed formal kinship care program

The Deputy Commissioner shares NYC Children's Services' perspective on the proposed formal kinship care program for older adults (Intro 1184) and how it might complement existing services. - NYC Children's …

1:05:21

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Benjamin Driver, Representative from Weinberg Center for Elder Justice on Intro 1184

Benjamin Driver from the Weinberg Center for Elder Justice testifies in favor of Intro 1184, emphasizing the challenges faced by older adult caregivers and the potential risks of elder abuse …

1:10:38

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125 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Bryan Ellicott-Cook, Director of Government Relations at SAGE

Bryan Ellicott-Cook from SAGE expresses support for Intro 1184, which aims to establish a program supporting older adults providing kinship care. They highlight the importance of this initiative, especially for …

1:12:56

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124 sec

Q&A

Council Member Hudson's Q&A on kinship care best practices and legislative recommendations

Council Member Crystal Hudson engages in a Q&A session with Bryan Ellicott-Cook from SAGE regarding kinship care programs and potential improvements to the proposed legislation. - Ellicott-Cook mentions the success …

1:15:03

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94 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Mahathi Yera, Staff Member of the Elder Law Unit at Legal Aid Society

Mahathi Yera from the Legal Aid Society's Elder Law Unit testified in support of the proposed bill to establish a program supporting older adults providing kinship care. She highlighted the …

1:17:22

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142 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Justine Tetteh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

Justine Tetteh from Lenox Hill Neighborhood House testifies in favor of older adult kinship caregiving resources, highlighting the importance of supporting older adults in kinship care roles and the challenges …

1:19:51

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117 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sharon Brown on Kinship Care Program

Sharon Brown provides testimony on the proposed kinship care program for older adults caring for young people. She emphasizes the need for comprehensive support for both caregivers and children, focusing …

1:21:55

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124 sec

REMARKS

Council member transitions to questions for testimonies

Council Member Crystal Hudson briefly pauses the proceedings and announces that she has questions for the first two testimonies. - Indicates a shift from listening to testimonies to an interactive …

1:24:03

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15 sec

Q&A

Discussion on effective outreach methods for older caregivers

Council Member Hudson asks about effective outreach methods for reaching older caregivers, especially those with limited digital skills or language barriers. Testifiers provide suggestions and share their experiences. - Suggestions …

1:24:18

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61 sec

Q&A

Addressing cultural and linguistic gaps in kinship care resources

Council Member Hudson inquires about cultural or linguistic gaps in the current availability of kinship care resources for older adults. A testifier from Legal Aid Society responds with insights. - …

1:25:19

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50 sec

Q&A

Inquiry about legal barriers in kinship care processes

Council Member Hudson asks about barriers encountered when seeking legal assistance or navigating custody and guardianship processes. The Legal Aid Society representative offers to follow up with more information. - …

1:26:09

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26 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Carole Cox, Professor of Social Work at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service

Carole Cox, a professor of social work at Fordham University, provided testimony about her work with the Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) in New York City since 1998. She developed the …

1:27:13

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148 sec

Q&A

Council member inquires about kinship care empowerment book and program

Council Member Crystal Hudson asks Professor Carole Cox about the book she referenced in her testimony. Cox shows and describes her book 'Empowering Grandparents Raising Grandchildren' and discusses the success …

1:29:42

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49 sec

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