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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bryan Ellicott-Cook, Director of Government Relations at SAGE
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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 LGBTQ+ older adults who often take on caregiving roles without traditional legal or financial protections.
- SAGE is the largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults.
- The proposed program would provide necessary resources, guidance, and community support for kinship caregivers.
- Research shows that 58% of LGBTQ+ adults aged 45 and older have provided or are providing care for a loved one.
Bryan Ellicott-Cook
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Next.
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Good afternoon, Hudson and members of the aging committee.
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My name is Brian Ellicott Cook.
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My pronouns are they and he.
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And I serve as the director of government relations at SAGE, the nation's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ plus older adults.
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Since our founding 1978, SAGE has worked tirelessly to advocate for policies and programs that empower LGBTQ plus elders ensuring that they can age with dignity, security, and support.
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From leading national advocacy efforts to providing direct services, we have remain at the forefront of combating social isolation, housing insecurity, and healthcare disparities among LGBT plus older adults.
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I'm here today to express SAGE's support for intro eleven eighty four which seeks to establish a program dedicated to supporting older adults providing kinship care.
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This initiative is critical in ensuring older adults who are caregivers have access to the necessities, resources, guidance, and community support to navigate the challenges of kinship care.
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In 2021, the New York state enacted legislation defining kinship caregivers as non parent relatives and family friends who are taking on caregiving responsibilities for children.
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These laws granted caregivers legal standing enabling them to access vital benefits and services.
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Additionally, the state's kinship navigator program provides essential resources, information referrals and assistance in commit in kinship families including those in New York City.
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While these programs are often are offer valuable support, a city specific initiative such as the one proposed in intro eleven eighty four will ensure that kinship caregivers particularly older adults receive localized tailored assistance to meet their unique needs.
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This initiative is especially critical to LGBT plus older adults who are deeply engaged in caregiving roles.
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Research from AARP indicates that approximately fifty eight percent of LGBTQ plus adults age 45 and older have either provided or are previously provided caregivers for a loved one.
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Many LGBTQ plus caregivers take on kinship roles without the legal or financial protections afforded to traditional family members, and there's more
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