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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kimberly George, President and CEO of Project Guardianship, on Guardianship Services and Funding

2:34:08

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126 sec

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Kimberly George, President and CEO of Project Guardianship, testified about the critical need for increased investment in nonprofit guardianship services in New York City. She highlighted the organization's work serving as legal guardians for vulnerable New Yorkers and operating a guardianship helpline, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of guardianship issues.

Urged the city council to make a deeper investment in guardianship services for FY2026
Emphasized that 60% of all guardianship cases in New York State originate within NYC
Thanked the council for passing Resolution 561, urging state funding for a public guardianship program

Kimberly George

2:34:08

Good afternoon, Chair Hudson and staff.

2:34:11

My name is Kimberly George.

2:34:12

I'm the President and CEO of Project Guardianship.

2:34:15

Thank you for your leadership in recognizing the need to invest in nonprofit guardianship services and for lifting up the critical work we do.

2:34:23

Project Guardianship serves as legal guardian for 200 New Yorkers, most of whom are low income older adults facing complex challenges such as housing insecurity, serious mental illness, dementia, and more.

2:34:35

We also run a guardianship helpline where anyone with a question about article 81 guardianship or its alternatives can speak with an expert to get a better understanding of the processes and resources surrounding these issues.

2:34:47

Since launching our helpline twenty months ago, we've received 1,300 calls, mostly from women caregivers seeking help for loved ones who are also overwhelmingly women.

2:34:59

Guardianship is not only an aging issue, it's a women's issue, a public health issue, an immigration issue, and a housing issue.

2:35:06

We are grateful to you Chair Hudson and this council for passing Resolution five sixty one urging the state to fund a public guardianship program in partnership with reputable nonprofit providers.

2:35:19

This is a response to the severe shortage of qualified guardians to serve in cases where an individual has no family or friend to serve and no money to pay for a private guardian, and the devastating outcomes this shortage causes.

2:35:33

It is a crucial step forward, but while we advocate for state investment, we cannot ignore the reality that 60% of all guardianship cases in New York State originate within the five boroughs.

2:35:45

The crisis is here in our city today.

2:35:48

That's why in fiscal year twenty six, we are calling upon the city council to make a deeper investment in guardianship services.

2:35:55

With additional support, Project Guardianship can further safeguard older adults, preventing unnecessary institutionalization, ensure that every New Yorker subject to guardianship has access to a qualified person centered guardian.

2:36:09

Thank you for your time and for standing with us in this urgent fight.

2:36:12

I welcome any questions.

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