FINANCE

NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE — The New York State Legislature's joint fiscal committees heard testimony on Governor Hochul's 2025-2026 Executive Budget for human services on Wednesday, with agency officials highlighting historic investments in childcare and child poverty reduction while facing pointed questions from lawmakers about workforce compensation and program implementation gaps. Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services, and Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, presented the administration's proposals during the hearing in Albany. Harris-Madden emphasized the Governor's $7 billion, four-year childcare expansion, which has made more than half of New York families income-eligible for assistance, with income limits raised to 85 percent of state median income—currently $108,000 for a family of four. The budget proposes an additional $100 million in capital funding for childcare seats, doubling a previous $50 million investment. Guinn highlighted the proposed expansion of the Empire State Child Tax Credit, which would support 2.7 million children and provide up to $1,000 annually per child under age four and $500 per child ages 4-16. The expansion would eliminate wage phase-in, ensuring the lowest-income households receive maximum benefits. The budget also proposes a new BABY Benefit providing $100 monthly during pregnancy and $1,200 at birth for families receiving public assistance, estimated to reach 100,000 babies at full implementation. However, Sen. Jabari Brisport, chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, pressed Harris-Madden on a critical gap: the budget's failure to address the childcare workforce crisis with permanent wage compensation funding. Brisport cited the April 2024 Child Care Availability Task Force report—co-authored by Harris-Madden herself—which stressed the urgency of establishing permanent funding to supplement childcare worker wages. He highlighted data showing 28,462 fewer children served than current capacity due to workforce shortages. Harris-Madden defended the administration's "measured approach," pointing to the $3 million substitute pool, $8.5 million in workforce scholarships, and partnerships with child care resource and referral agencies. She noted that 508 new childcare programs have been developed and that the proposed New York Coalition for Child Care would research sustainable funding models. Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, chair of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, also raised concerns about workforce compensation, stating: "If you're not going to pay that workforce, we're not going to be successful." He urged the Legislature to expedite permanent funding for childcare workers this year. Other budget highlights included $15 million for youth programming, $10 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Services (doubling funding over three years), and $9.2 million for Child Advocacy Centers. The budget also proposes $25 million in additional capital funding for supportive housing and a $17 million increase (40 percent) to the New York State Supportive Housing Program. Hevesi also raised concerns about Raise the Age implementation, foster care provider liability insurance, and potential federal cuts to childcare programs under the Trump administration. Harris-Madden said OCFS was monitoring these issues closely but had not yet received notice of federal funding threats. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET AMID CONCERNS OVER CHILDCARE WAGES, EBT FRAUD, AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Albany — State legislators pressed human services officials Tuesday on gaps in the Executive Budget proposal, with particular focus on missing childcare workforce wage supplements, inadequate EBT fraud prevention, and the slow rollout of supportive housing. At a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 budget, OCFS Commissioner Harris-Madden and OTDA Commissioner Guinn fielded pointed questions about why key recommendations from a childcare task force were excluded from the Governor's proposal. Sen. Brisport asked whether OCFS could implement a proposed $1.2 billion permanent childcare workforce wage fund if included in the final budget. Commissioner Harris-Madden said OCFS "stands ready to implement" if policies allow. However, Brisport expressed frustration that the Executive Budget omitted task force recommendations to limit childcare assistance restrictions based on employment status and hours worked—provisions he said are critical for restaurant workers, retail employees, construction workers, and gig workers with unpredictable schedules. The hearing also highlighted persistent EBT fraud as a major vulnerability. Sen. Murray and Sen. Liu both pressed Commissioner Guinn on why the state has not implemented chip card technology despite the Department of Labor successfully using it for unemployment insurance debit cards for nearly two years. Commissioner Guinn said initial estimates for chip card implementation are $40 million for the first year to cover over 1.5 million cards, but the agency lacks budget authority. Sen. Murray expressed frustration that OTDA switched vendors from Conduent—which already operates chip technology—to FIS, delaying implementation. "These criminals are getting away with it because we don't have this technology in place," Murray said. In the interim, OTDA is promoting a lock-and-block feature to prevent unauthorized transactions, though Commissioner Guinn acknowledged the tool remains "far underutilized." The agency launched a text campaign this week to increase awareness among SNAP recipients. On housing, Commissioner Guinn reported that 46,000 individuals remain in NYC's shelter system despite the closure of several large facilities. She said the state allocated $2.4 billion for migrant services last year and funds remain available for the city to draw down. The budget includes $17 million for the New York State Supportive Housing Pool to preserve older units and increases per-unit funding for the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative from $25,000 to $31,000-$34,000 depending on location. The hearing also addressed the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which temporarily closed in December due to higher-than-expected applications. Governor Hochul reallocated $35 million to reopen it, and Commissioner Guinn said the program will remain open through early April. However, Sen. Persaud raised concerns about whether the $15 million allocated for summer cooling assistance will be sufficient. On Raise the Age implementation, Commissioner Harris-Madden defended the program's progress, noting that crime is down and youth crime is consistent with adult crime trends. However, Assemblyman Maher pressed for more data on what happens to 16- and 17-year-olds after they turn 18, citing case studies of inadequate services. The hearing revealed significant implementation challenges across multiple programs, with legislators signaling they intend to fight for additional funding during budget negotiations ahead of the April 1 deadline. NEW YORK — State human services officials defended the 2025-2026 Executive Budget's proposed investments in childcare, supportive housing, and anti-poverty programs Wednesday, but faced pointed questions from lawmakers about whether funding levels adequately address workforce shortages and inflation. OCFS Commissioner Alyssa Harris-Madden and OTDA Commissioner David Guinn testified before a joint legislative committee on the budget proposals, which include a $3 million substitute childcare pool program, new benefits for pregnant individuals and new mothers, and increased supportive housing reimbursement rates. The commissioners highlighted new childcare market rates set at the 80th percentile, representing an average 12 percent increase, and the BABY Benefit program structured at $100 per month during pregnancy plus a $1,200 one-time payment after birth—totaling approximately $1,800 per family over the pregnancy and first year. However, lawmakers expressed skepticism about whether the investments keep pace with actual costs. Assemblyman Eachus noted the Governor's proposed 2.1 percent increase falls short of the 2.8 percent inflation rate, leaving childcare workers, foster families, and other vulnerable populations falling behind. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton raised concerns about the LEAPS after-school program consolidation, which eliminated all programming on Staten Island and some in Southern Brooklyn. She questioned how providers could be approved for funding but left unfunded due to budget constraints, and asked about plans for more equitable distribution across boroughs. On SNAP fraud, Commissioner Guinn reported that approximately 125,000 households have been affected by skimming of benefits. He said the federal government declined in December to authorize state reimbursement for stolen SNAP benefits. Assemblywoman González-Rojas pressed for clarity on the estimated $40 million cost for transitioning to chip-enabled EBT cards, citing lower cost estimates from other sources and noting the technology could reduce fraud by 87 percent. Sen. Cleare advocated for increased funding to preserve older supportive housing units and address worker wage gaps, while Sen. Borrello, who sits on a not-for-profit childcare board, argued that $2 million in statewide workforce supports is insufficient and called for treating childcare as an economic development priority. The hearing underscored tensions between the administration's framing of budget investments as significant and lawmakers' concerns that proposed increases do not adequately address systemic workforce shortages and inflation pressures across human services. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET AMID CONCERNS OVER FEDERAL FUNDING LOSSES AND NONPROFIT STRAIN Albany — State legislators pressed human services officials Wednesday on federal funding risks, supportive housing disparities, and nonprofit procurement challenges during a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 executive budget. OTDA Commissioner Guinn and OCFS Commissioner Harris-Madden fielded questions about major budget initiatives, including a proposed increase in supportive housing rates from $25,000 to $34,000 per unit in New York City and $31,000 upstate, and a $51.5 million allocation for the Summer Youth Employment Program. Senate Finance Chair Krueger raised alarm about the state's inability to track federal funding cuts flowing directly to nonprofits, warning that agencies lack visibility into losses that could total millions. "We lost $60 million for this under the federal changes, or 40 million for that," she said, expressing concern the state would not know which organizations were hit hardest. A major point of contention centered on Raise the Age funding for New York City. Krueger noted the city has not received approximately $800 million in funding since the program's inception, citing a 2 percent property tax cap restriction. Commissioner Harris-Madden acknowledged the city could submit a waiver request but has not done so, saying the agency would consider any application. Assemblywoman Chandler-Waterman criticized the LEAPS after-school program consolidation, reporting that 30 organizations in her district received approval scores but were not funded due to insufficient resources. The program received over 400 applications but funded only 239 sites. She also raised concerns about OCFS procurement delays and staff turnover that leave nonprofits unable to cover payroll. Assemblyman Epstein questioned why supportive housing rates remain lower upstate than in the city, arguing that 1,000 units annually is insufficient given the mental health crisis. Commissioner Guinn said the Legislature could expand the program by increasing funding. Assemblywoman Romero raised alarm about substance use disorder sanctions in her district, reporting lifetime bans from services unless individuals pay for private evaluations. Commissioner Guinn stated such bans are illegal under Social Services Law and requested more information. Commissioner Guinn announced the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows elderly and disabled individuals to use SNAP benefits at participating restaurants, has expanded statewide after pilots in Monroe County and Brooklyn. The hearing highlighted tensions between legislative ambitions for expanded services and budget constraints, with lawmakers pressing for increased investments in youth employment, supportive housing, and nonprofit support. NEW YORK STATE BUDGET HEARING HIGHLIGHTS HISTORIC AGING SERVICES INVESTMENT AND EXPANDED VETERAN SUPPORT Albany — The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing Wednesday on Governor Hochul's 2025-2026 Executive Budget proposals for human services, with testimony from the New York State Office for the Aging and Department of Veterans' Services highlighting significant new investments in both sectors. NYSOFA Acting Director Greg Olsen announced what he called the "largest and most historic investment" in the office's history: $45 million in new funding to address documented unmet aging services needs statewide. The allocation brings total investment in the unmet needs category to $200 million since 2019, Olsen said. An additional $4.7 million in cost-of-living adjustments will support vital services including in-home care, nutrition, transportation, case management, and caregiver support. Olsen highlighted innovative programs serving older New Yorkers, including GetSetUp, a digital literacy and wellness platform with 700,000 users who have taken over a million lifelong learning classes, at a cost of just 50 cents per person annually. He emphasized that older adults leave $66 billion in entitled benefits on the table every year, and called on legislators to help promote enrollment in programs like SNAP, the Medicare Savings Program, and HEAP. The testimony underscored the scale of New York's aging population: 4.6 million residents are over 60, with projections reaching 5.3 million by 2030. Older residents pay over $72 billion annually in state and local taxes, Olsen noted. DVS Commissioner Viviana DeCohen outlined three key veteran-focused initiatives in the Executive Budget. The first expands the Gold Star Parent Annuity to include families of servicemembers who die during non-combat active duty, not just combat deaths. The second proposes $1 million for suicide prevention programs through the Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide, which has received national recognition from the VA and SAMHSA. The third allocates $350,000 for the Military Family Relief Fund to provide dignity-based assistance for essential needs. DeCohen reported that DVS assisted over 10,000 veterans in 2024 seeking to submit benefit claims, resulting in 12,069 claims filed and $4 million in retroactive VA payments. The department conducted 543 in-person and virtual outreach events throughout the year as part of its Operation Find and Serve initiative. Sen. Cordell Cleare, chair of the Senate Aging Committee, pressed Olsen on several fronts, questioning whether the $35 million waitlist funding was a one-time measure or recurring, demanding a specific date for the Master Plan for Aging final report, and challenging outdated data on the LTCOP website. Cleare also advocated for increased funding for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and raised concerns about New York City's proportional funding for aging services. Olsen defended the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program's performance, noting that full-time staff increased 74 percent from 57 in 2022 to 101 currently, with 81 percent of facilities now receiving at least one visit per quarter, up from 24 percent previously. The hearing reflected broader budget debates over whether proposed investments adequately address documented service gaps and whether funding will be sustained beyond the initial year. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET, FOCUSES ON VETERANS AND AGING SERVICES Albany — The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing Wednesday on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget for human services, with testimony from the Department of Veterans' Services and the New York State Office for the Aging revealing both progress and persistent challenges in serving vulnerable populations. DVS Commissioner DeCOHEN highlighted the department's expansion since becoming a full cabinet-level agency, noting growth from 89 to over 99 full-time employees with plans to reach 110. The department has distributed more than $430,000 through its Veterans Homeless Assistance Fund and sends approximately 10,000-plus "Welcome Home" letters weekly to returning service members, connecting them with benefits advisors and VA enrollment assistance. However, Sen. Ashby (R) delivered pointed criticism of the department's handling of tax checkoff funds that have existed for seven years. "These tax checkoffs have existed for seven years," Ashby said, questioning why the department has only disbursed $175,000 of $1.4 million in the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund. The senator challenged the department's explanation that programs were still being developed, stating: "That is blatantly not true." The hearing also addressed a $1 million gubernatorial investment in veteran suicide prevention. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton (R), the Senate Veterans Committee chair, pressed for details on how funds would be distributed and whether the investment was sufficient. DVS Deputy Counsel Pomerance highlighted New York's pioneering "Worried About a Veteran" initiative, noting the state is the first in the nation to focus on military families as the first line of defense in mental health crises. NYSOFA Acting Director Olsen presented data underscoring aging-related challenges. She reported that approximately 350,000 grandparents and 400,000 kin care family members serve as primary caregivers in New York State. Olsen also cited a recent report indicating that half of retired older adults in New York State do not receive Social Security, despite $59 billion in annual Social Security payments flowing into the state. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has expanded significantly, growing from 57 to 101 staff members, resulting in a doubling of resident visits. However, Assemblywoman Clark noted that waiting lists for aging services remain substantially higher than the budget proposal addresses, with community-based organizations reporting figures exceeding $80 million in unmet needs. Elder fraud emerged as a critical concern, with Olsen noting that scams cost $28 billion annually nationwide. New York operates the only statewide Enhanced Monthly Disciplinary Team dedicated to combating elder abuse, bringing together law enforcement, district attorneys, and social service agencies. The hearing revealed tension between the executive and legislative branches over budget priorities, with multiple senators expressing frustration over proposed cuts to veterans' benefits that they expect to restore through legislative adds—a practice Assemblyman Manktelow criticized as jeopardizing veterans' mental health and stability. The committee is expected to continue budget negotiations as the fiscal year 2025-2026 appropriations process moves forward. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET, FOCUSES ON AGING AND VETERANS SERVICES Albany — The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing Wednesday on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget for human services, with testimony from the New York State Office for the Aging and Department of Veterans Services revealing significant challenges in case management access for seniors and ongoing efforts to expand veterans' support programs. NYSOFA Acting Director Greg Olsen highlighted the agency's technology initiatives, which he said serve over 1 million people through more than 20 public-private partnerships. According to Olsen, these programs have achieved a 97 percent reduction in loneliness and isolation, 96 percent reduction in depression, and 95 percent increase in overall health and wellness. However, Chairwoman Liz Krueger pressed Olsen on whether current funding levels are adequate, questioning whether a $1 million allocation for the Master Plan for Aging is sufficient to develop new service models. Case management emerged as a critical issue. Assemblywoman Hooks testified that in her district, only 2 of 6 older adult centers provide case management services, both with extensive waitlists. Olsen acknowledged case management is the top-reported area of waitlists but explained that statutory requirements force funding to flow through 59 Area Agencies on Aging rather than directly to community-based providers, limiting his agency's flexibility. The hearing also addressed concerns about foreign-born seniors. Assemblywoman Reyes noted that undocumented seniors, who contribute $97 billion annually to Social Security and Medicare, often cannot access services due to fear and lack of clear pathways. Olsen committed to working with Reyes to better support this population in the Master Plan for Aging. On veterans' services, DVS Commissioner DeCohen announced that veterans liaisons have been placed in all state agencies, with training scheduled for February 26 (virtual) and April (in-person). However, Assemblywoman Walsh raised concerns about $1.3 million in unexpended funds in the Veterans Homelessness Assistance account, questioning why the program is not fully distributing available resources. Sen. O'Mara pressed the department on PTSD treatment, advocating for funding of Dr. Frank Burke's research protocol, which he said other states are already implementing. DVS Deputy Counsel Benjamin Pomerance acknowledged familiarity with the program but said he had no immediate answer on funding. The hearing underscored ongoing tensions between legislative demands for expanded services and agency constraints imposed by statute and available resources. New York State legislators heard testimony Wednesday on aging services and veterans' benefits as part of the 2025-2026 executive budget hearing, with advocates and agency officials clashing over whether proposed funding increases adequately address the state's rapidly growing senior population. The hearing before the Senate Finance Committee revealed stark demographic challenges: the 65-and-over population in New York State has reached 3.5 million, a 50 percent increase from the previous decade, with more than half living in poverty, according to testimony from Kristen McManus of AARP New York. Yet the State Office for the Aging receives less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the overall state budget, advocates argued. Governor Hochul's proposed $35 million increase for aging services drew mixed reactions. While advocates praised the investment, Becky Preve of the Association on Aging in New York noted that $10 million of that represents restoration of legislative add-ons that must be fought for annually, and the remaining $25 million falls far short of addressing inflationary costs and unmet needs. The aging services network serves individuals for 7-8 years at less than $10,000 per year, compared to $150,000 annually in skilled nursing facilities, she testified. Senator Cordell Cleare pressed for a comprehensive report showing all state spending on seniors across agencies, noting that "almost every agency touches the lives of older New Yorkers" but there is no centralized accounting. NYSOFA Acting Director Greg Olsen committed to packaging that information together. On veterans' issues, Senator Scarcella-Spanton questioned whether $157,000 budgeted for veterans liaison coordination across state agencies is sufficient, and requested a detailed breakdown of veterans spending by agency. She also emphasized the need for New York to take a leadership role protecting LGBTQ+ veterans' benefits and mental health resources amid potential federal changes. Assemblywoman Giglio raised concerns about VFW posts struggling to navigate grant application portals without adequate technical support, noting one constituent post commander received no explanation for grant denial. DVS Deputy Counsel Pomerance committed to providing a list of all state agency veterans liaisons by February 26th. Advocates testified about specific program needs: the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens requested $250,000 to expand home sharing and respite care programs, which cost approximately $3,900 per person to match; the New York StateWide Senior Action Council requested $500,000 additional investment for the Patients' Rights Helpline Project, which has seen client numbers increase 184 percent since 2020; and Lifespan of Greater Rochester requested restoration of $375,000 for elder abuse services. The hearing underscored a fundamental tension: while advocates presented data showing community-based aging services cost a fraction of institutional care and that seniors contribute $72 billion annually in state and local taxes, the state continues to underfund the aging services network relative to demand, with waiting lists for services and insufficient funding for inflationary costs and workforce support. NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE HEARS URGENT PLEAS FOR AGING AND CHILDCARE FUNDING Albany — Advocates and service providers testified before the Joint Legislative Committee on Finance on Wednesday that New York's aging and childcare sectors face critical funding shortfalls that threaten to collapse essential services, with witnesses citing specific gaps in case management, elder fraud prevention, childcare workforce support, and guardianship services. Rebecca Preve of the New York State Office for the Aging told lawmakers that while approximately 6,600 seniors are waitlisted for case management services, this figure understates actual need. More pressing, she highlighted a $7 million funding gap created when the state mandated a $2 wage increase for home care workers but funded it only for Medicaid recipients, not for aging services clients. "We are at a breaking point in the service industry," Preve warned, cautioning that without adequate funding, "you are going to see the aging services network crumble." Ann Marie Cook of Lifespan Rochester testified that elder fraud has exploded since COVID, with seniors losing an average of $10,000 per scam. She said her organization has been forced to redirect elder abuse funding—which has not increased in years—to address the scam crisis. Cook also highlighted the Connected Care Community program, which reduces hospitalizations by 30 percent through a team approach of social workers and healthcare navigators. On childcare, Shanita Bowen of ECE On the Move warned that the sector faces a workforce crisis as educators leave the profession because they cannot afford to stay. She urged the Legislature to hold Governor Hochul to recommendations from her own Child Care Availability Task Force and ensure childcare workers receive fair wages. New York City and other counties are at risk of exhausting their Child Care Block Grant funds without additional state funding, according to Alice Bufkin of Citizens' Committee for Children. Kimberly George of Project Guardianship testified that New York's guardianship system is broken, with judges unable to find qualified guardians in one-third of cases statewide and one-half of cases in New York City. She proposed a $15 million annual investment in a Statewide Initiative of Nonprofit Guardians, estimating it would save $80 million per year in Medicaid costs. Meredith Chimento of the Early Care & Learning Council noted that 64 percent of New York State is classified as a childcare desert and urged lawmakers to fund a permanent childcare workforce wage fund. She emphasized that Child Care Resource & Referral agencies are positioned to coordinate substitute teacher pools and help providers access capital grants. Sen. Krueger, co-chair of the hearing, expressed concern about threats to CCR&Rs and demonstrated strong support for childcare and aging services investments. Sen. Ashby questioned why the Legislature was excluded from the Master Plan for Aging process and asked what lawmakers could do to prepare for its implementation. The hearing underscored a pattern of underfunding in human services, with advocates arguing that without immediate legislative action, vulnerable populations—seniors, children, and families—will lose critical support. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET; NONPROFIT SECTOR WARNS OF CRISIS, CHILDCARE WORKFORCE COMPENSATION DEBATED The New York State Legislature's joint Finance Committee hearing on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget for Human Services revealed deep divisions over funding priorities, with nonprofit human services agencies warning of an impending crisis while lawmakers questioned the role of for-profit companies in childcare expansion. The most contentious exchange involved Wonderschool, a venture-capital-backed childcare platform, which faced sharp criticism from Sen. Brisport over its business model and profit motives. Brisport cited the company's CEO podcast comments suggesting the firm hadn't "seen much price sensitivity from governments" and questioned whether a 10 percent fee structure would further burden families already struggling with childcare costs. Wonderschool representative Mr. Moss defended the model as necessary to scale statewide substitute pools, citing experience in Mississippi, Colorado, and Washington. Sen. Krueger pressed Wonderschool on whether it is even permitted to operate in New York under current licensing rules, noting the company's track record in states with poor education rankings. On guardianship services, Kimberly George of Pro Guardianship testified that a nonprofit coalition model would cost $15 million annually to serve 1,500 people, compared to the state judges' proposal at $72 million. The nonprofit model leverages existing infrastructure and trained staff, she said. The hearing's most urgent crisis involved liability insurance for foster-care agencies. Michelle Newman of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies reported that the Nonprofit Insurance Alliance of California—which insured 90 percent of California's family foster-care agencies—announced it would cease coverage effective October 1st, with nationwide umbrella coverage ending April 1st. "If our providers who care for more than 80 percent of the children and youth in foster care across the state aren't able to provide these services, this responsibility will fall on the counties, and the infrastructure is not there to take on that load," Newman warned. Bill Gettman of Northern Rivers Family of Services, which serves 18,000 individuals across 42 counties, called the Executive Budget's 2.1 percent cost-of-living adjustment "an underfunded insult" to the nonprofit sector. He cited health insurance increases of 15-20 percent, food costs up 14 percent, and liability insurance doubling, warning of closures and service reductions without additional investment. On childcare workforce compensation, Shanita Bowen, a former home-based provider, testified that inadequate pay forced her to work other jobs while running her program for 14 years. She called for permanent workforce solutions rather than temporary bonuses. Sen. Murray questioned whether bonus programs address the underlying problem, while Assemblyman Hevesi pressed for specific mechanisms—reimbursement rate increases, wage supplements, or workforce stabilization grants. Therese Daly of United Way of New York State requested $2.8 million for the 2-1-1 emergency helpline (a $400,000 increase), noting that calls are becoming more complex and longer due to increased crisis severity. She also advocated for maintaining $7 million in Dolly Parton Imagination Library funding, universal school meals, and expansion of the Empire State Child Credit, which would benefit more than 1 million families. The hearing underscored tensions between expanding childcare access through market-based solutions versus protecting the nonprofit safety net that currently serves the state's most vulnerable populations. Lawmakers appeared divided on whether to embrace for-profit platforms or strengthen existing nonprofit infrastructure. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON 2025-2026 HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL FUNDING GAPS ACROSS CHILDCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL, LEGAL SERVICES, AND HOUSING SECTORS Albany — Testifiers at a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget for human services on Wednesday painted a stark picture of underfunded programs and workforce shortages across multiple sectors, with advocates requesting hundreds of millions in additional state funding. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee, featured testimony from childcare providers, after-school program operators, legal services organizations, LGBTQ+ advocates, and housing nonprofits, all warning that current funding levels threaten program closures and service disruptions. In the childcare sector, Kate Ryan of the Adirondack Birth To Three Alliance described the barriers facing family childcare providers in rural areas, detailing how licensing requirements and infrastructure costs force providers to operate without personal income. She called for universal childcare and workforce investments. Dona Anderson of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute highlighted existing state infrastructure, noting that the Aspire Registry has 40,000 users and covers 70 percent of licensed childcare centers, though coverage of family childcare providers remains low at 11 percent. After-school programming faces significant gaps. Trudy Morgan Tetteh of the New York State Network for Youth Success testified that only about one-third of eligible applicants receive LEAPS grant funding, leaving approximately 48,000 youth without access. She requested $180 million in additional funding, with $25 million specifically to restore services for middle and high school students who lost access when the program transitioned from previous grants. Jenn O'Connor of Raising New York highlighted a $240 million childcare funding gap in New York City and called for increased investment in home visiting programs, particularly ParentChild+, to support early literacy and maternal health initiatives. Legal services advocates reported significant success with the Eviction Prevention Housing Stability Program. Nic Rangel of the Legal Aid Society for Northeastern New York, testifying on behalf of the Legal Services Access Alliance, reported that the program has served over 100,000 people in 57 counties outside New York City, closed over 43,000 cases, and created 325 jobs. However, she warned that federal funding cuts could devastate the sector and requested $2.5 million in additional state IOLA funding. Bryan Ellicott-Cook of SAGE requested $650,000 in continued funding and $450,000 in new funding to serve LGBTQ+ elders and older adults living with HIV, noting that 36 percent of new HIV cases are among people over age 50. Rebecca Zangen of the Supportive Housing Network of New York testified that 9,000 units in the New York State Supportive Housing Program are dangerously underfunded at $2,900-$3,900 per unit annually, compared to modern programs starting at $25,000. She requested $32 million in additional funding and passage of the Supportive Housing Modernization Act to address the crisis. Senators and Assembly members engaged actively with testifiers, with Chair Pretlow questioning staffing levels and operational details, while Sen. Krueger and Sen. Brisport asked detailed questions about the Aspire Registry's coverage and barriers to registration. Assemblyman Hevesi pressed testifiers on specific funding calculations and expressed interest in maximizing existing resources. The hearing underscored the Legislature's challenge in balancing competing priorities across human services as federal funding becomes uncertain and state resources remain constrained. NEW YORK — Advocates for domestic violence survivors, food-insecure New Yorkers, and supportive housing residents urged state lawmakers Wednesday to dramatically increase funding for underfunded human services programs, warning that chronic underfunding is leaving vulnerable populations without adequate care and services. At a joint legislative budget hearing on the 2025-2026 Executive Budget, Gabriela Sandoval Requena of New Destiny Housing testified that the state's Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) operates on 1987 rates, providing only $3,900 per family annually—enough to cover one case manager and zero building security for her organization's five buildings housing 177 domestic violence survivors. If New Destiny relied solely on NYSSHP funding to provide adequate staffing, she said, workers would earn $5.51 per hour, roughly one-third of minimum wage. "Access to a safe and affordable home often determines whether survivors leave their abuser and stay alive," Requena said, urging lawmakers to increase NYSSHP funding by $32 million and pass the Supportive Housing Modernization Act. Governor Hochul's proposed budget includes $17 million for NYSSHP—the largest investment in decades—but advocates said it falls short of what's needed to modernize the program and serve the estimated 9,000 people waiting for supportive housing in New York City alone. On food security, Krista Hesdorfer of Hunger Solutions New York and Ryan Healy of Feeding New York State urged restoration of $2 million in funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), which has added 24 SNAP navigators and reached 163,000 New Yorkers annually with a 25-to-1 return on investment. Both advocates also pushed for a $100 minimum SNAP benefit, up from the current federal minimum of $23 per month, which would benefit approximately 110,000 New Yorkers, typically seniors and people with disabilities earning around $16,000 annually. Sen. Murray raised concerns about increasing SNAP benefits before implementing enhanced EBT card security to prevent fraud, noting that the Department of Labor already uses chip technology. "I worry about increasing the amount right now when we have people stealing the funds," she said, calling for chip technology implementation as a priority. Marcella Goheen, a nursing home family advocate, testified about inadequate care in long-term facilities and requested $500,000 in state funding for a pilot "Family Essential" program providing peer-to-peer advocacy and navigation services for families. The hearing, held before the Finance Committee, underscored tensions between advocates' funding requests and lawmakers' concerns about implementation and fraud prevention in existing programs.