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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elizabeth Bird, Director of Public Policy at Educational Alliance
2:59:20
ยท
162 sec
Elizabeth Bird, representing Educational Alliance, testifies about concerns for older adult programs in New York City amid budget cuts. She focuses on the need for increased funding for meal services and case management to support the growing older adult population.
- Urges inclusion of $57 million to meet rising food costs and increased demand for meal services
- Highlights the unsustainable situation where centers are serving more meals than contracted
- Calls for increased funding to hire more case managers, especially those fluent in multiple languages
- Emphasizes the importance of reversing all cuts to the NYC aging budget to prevent isolation of older adults
Elizabeth Bird
2:59:20
Thank you, chair Hudson, and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.
2:59:25
My name's Elizabeth Bird.
2:59:26
I'm reading comments on behalf of Rich Baum.
2:59:29
We we this I'm from Educational Alliance.
2:59:33
We're a settlement house with community centers located throughout Lower Manhattan.
2:59:37
Educational Alliance operates three sites supported by contracts with NYC Aging, the Weinberg OAC, the Co op Village Newark, and the Syrovich OAC.
2:59:47
And together these sites serve a diverse population of 4,000 older adults annually.
2:59:53
Like many here today, I'm deeply concerned for the future of older adult programs in the face of the fiscal cliff.
3:00:00
I have submitted full testimony detailing specifics, but today I want to focus my comments on two areas, food and social work.
3:00:07
First, I urge you to include 57,000,000 to meet the growing demand for our meal services and the rising cost of food.
3:00:15
For many of our members, the meals they receive through us are what sustains them for the day.
3:00:19
Some tell us that they would not eat at all without the meals offered in our centers.
3:00:23
But it is increasingly difficult to provide high quality meals.
3:00:27
This is partially because of the increased cost of food, but it is also due to increased demand.
3:00:33
We are projected to serve more meals this year than we are contracted to serve.
3:00:37
As an example, our Weinberg OAC surpassed its annual target of 1,200 unique clients in just six months.
3:00:46
This requires us to pay for the difference, which is, as you can understand, is unsustainable.
3:00:52
But more is needed.
3:00:54
Increasingly, we have to turn people away from meal service due to high demand.
3:00:58
Our food pantry appointments fill up within hours of being released.
3:01:02
With additional resources, we could serve many more than we do.
3:01:07
Secondly, the city should increase funding to hire more case managers.
3:01:11
Social service staff at EA have an average caseload of 50 or more individuals with a waiting list for high need cases.
3:01:20
Because we serve a highly diverse population across our sites, we need social service staff, social work staff who are fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, and Spanish.
3:01:30
Increased funding from the city would allow us to expand case management support and ensure older adults receive the quality, comprehensive support they need.
3:01:39
Most importantly, I urge you to reverse all cuts to the overall NYC aging budget.
3:01:46
None of us wants to be forgotten when we grow old.
3:01:49
Without action, too many are at risk of being isolated and forgotten.
3:01:53
I ask that the leaders of the city consider the needs of our elders and take action so they are not cast aside.
3:01:59
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Crystal Hudson
3:02:01
Thank you so much.