WELCOME

The Human Services Council (HSC) is the Voice of the Human Services Community. We represent thousands of not-for-profit organizations in New York City and we advocate for the needs of the human services sector as a whole. Human service providers can accomplish more for their clients when they work together to increase funding, master complex new regulations, and orchestrate joint technology. HSC provides the structure to make that happen.
Since 1991, we have helped bring together a diverse network of human services organizations to discuss ideas and take collective action on issues and concerns that impact the entire sector. Through advocacy, information, collaboration, and technical assistance, member organizations and their leaders are supported by the whole human services community in addressing their concerns of public policy, economic trends, and regulatory environment.
We invite you to add your organization's voice today!

HSC invites you to attend its “Effective Marketing for Not-for-Profits” workshop! Read > >

Getting the message out about your not-for-profit has never been more challenging. This free Workshop-Seminar offers effective and cost-saving tips from marketing professionals, specifically designed for not-for-profits on a budget.

The workshop will feature the following topics:
- Reduced Resources: 10 ways to do more with less
- Marketing/Design: The 7 questions to ask before starting a project
- Printing: A printer reveals the 5 questions that can save you big money
- Digital Marketing: What makes the most sense for your not-for-profit?

When : Tuesday, Sept 28 from 2:30 PM—4:30 PM
Where: 130 East 59th Street , Room 711, New York , NY 10022

This event is free and open only to HSC members, pre-registration is required. Click here to see a flyer.

PLEASE RSVP BY WEDNESDAY, SEPT 22, 2010 online at http://tiny.cc/zk8n8.

ACT NOW! Support TANF ECF by September 30 Read > >

TANF ECF – the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund – is an important federal funding stream that supports a large variety of programs run by not-for-profits in New York State and is set to expire on September 30th. The TANF ECF brought in $723M in new federal dollars to New York over the last year, much of which supports social services.

We must advocate now to ensure this funding is protected; our timeframe is short and our competition for the attention of Congress is strong. We need Senators Gillibrand and Schumer to support TANF ECF and to take the lead in championing this funding. The human services sector must push our legislative leaders to make the difference.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Attend public events such as town hall meetings and raise this issue; our Senators are campaigning right now so they are around.
- Encourage your Board members to express the importance of this bill to our Senators, especially if they are business executives / owners. Tell them to talk about how important TANF ECF is to the business community.
- Tell your clients to reach out, especially if they benefit from a job training or subsidy program supported by TANF ECF funds (see list below).
- Call and write Senator’s Gillibrand and Schumer and ask them to champion the extension of TANF ECF (if you have done this already – do it again!). You can also visit their district offices:

Hon. Kirstin Gillibrand
780 Third Avenue, Suite 2601
New York, New York 10017
Tel. (212) 688-6262
Fax (212) 688-7444

Hon. Charles E. Schumer
757 Third Avenue, Suite 17-02
New York, New York 10017
Phone: 212-486-4430
Fax: 212-486-7693

- Send us success stories that can be used by the media: a mother who can work because of a child care subsidy, a teenager who benefited from the summer youth employment program, a father who received job training/placement services, etc…

KEY MESSAGING TO SENATORS:
- The TANF ECF funding stream is critical to New York State . These funds help New Yorkers become and remain employed. With New York ’s budget crisis, these dollars matter; the funds will help keep New Yorkers working.
- We need our Senators to take a leadership role on this issue to ensure it is extended by September 30. We need them to not only support the provision of these funds, but to champion it by going to Senators Baucus and Reid to express the urgency of passing TANF ECF.
- When you are in contact with your Senators, it is important to stress that the TANF ECF should be funded at $2.5 billion.

Some examples of programs supported by TANF ECF in New York :
ACCESS - Welfare-to-Careers
Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN)
Advantage Schools
Alternatives to Detention / Alternatives to Residential Placement
Bridge
Career Pathways
Caretaker Relative
Centro of Oneida
Child Care CUNY
Child Care Demonstration Projects
Child Care Migrant Workers
Child Care SUNY
Community Reinvestment / Alternatives to Detention
Community Solutions to Transportation
Disability Advocacy Program (DAP)
Displaced Homemakers
Educational Resources
EITC
Emergency Homeless
Green Jobs Corps Program
Home Visiting
Local Interagency VESID Employment Services (LIVES)
Non-residential Domestic Violence
Nurse Family Partnership
Preventive Services
Refugee Resettlement
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority
Settlement House
Strengthening Families through Stronger Fathers
Summer Youth Employment
Supplemental Homeless Intervention Program
Supportive Housing for Families
Wage Subsidy
Wheels for Work

State budget finally passed on August 3! Read > >

On August 3, 2010, the State passed the final piece of the FY11 budget. This budget process was unprecedented in many ways and frustrating for not-for-profits that rely on government funds to serve communities in need. Most of the human services pieces of the budget were passed through emergency extenders in June which became part of the accepted budget. The Governor then vetoed prior year re-appropriations, many of which support the work of our sector. Payments to not-for-profits for their FY11 work were also withheld in many cases because of the unresolved budget. This week, the legislature finally voted on a revenue package and a contingency plan if the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) enhancement is not extended to States.

Members can click here for HSC’s summary of the human services extender bills.

Answers and help to organizations experiencing cash flow problems due to the late State Budget Read > >

As you are aware, the late State budget has created serious cash flow problems for a number of providers throughout the sector. The complete budget has yet to pass, but many of the budget allocations, including human services, have been made through budget extender bills, giving State agencies the authority to begin releasing payments.

YOUR RIGHTS RELATED TO LATE PAYMENTS

We strongly encourage those with State contracts to review the recently released, three-page Legal Alert “Impact of State Budget Stalemate on New York Nonprofits” put out by Lawyers Alliance and developed in conjunction with HSC for answers to questions about your rights regarding late payments. You will find answers to the following:

1. Is the State of New York required to reimburse contractors for expenses incurred on contracts after April 1, 2010?
2. Is the State required to make timely payments on its contracts?
3. If an organization takes a loan to cover expenses while it awaits reimbursement can those interest expenses be reimbursed as an expense of the State contract?
4. If a contractor continues to perform and ultimately the funds are not appropriated by the State or the terms of the contract are modified will the contractor be able recoup its expenses?
5. Can the State require a contractor to provide the same level of programming while reducing funding?
6. If an organization temporarily ceases programs funded by the State while it awaits payment, can the State terminate the contract?
7. How can nonprofits participate in advocacy efforts to ensure timely payment?

For answers to these questions click here:

GUIDANCE REGARDING RENEGOTIATIONS

- We advise you to reach out to the State agencies with which you hold contracts to express concerns about payment and to ask for guidance regarding reimbursement timeframes. We also suggest that you inform them (in writing) of any additional costs incurred or anticipated as a result of late payments.

- If your organization has incurred costs due to the late budget, such as interest payments or expenses associated with closing down or reducing services that resulted from funding uncertainties, contact your contracting agency and negotiate to have those costs covered. If the State agency is unable to increase your reimbursement rate, ask for a reduction in your deliverables for the remainder of the fiscal year to cover these costs.

- Likewise, if program funding has been decreased, we advise you to renegotiate the deliverables on the contract so that the service expectations match the decreased contract amount. If you have been providing services at the pre-cut level during April, May, and June, we suggest you factor this in when renegotiating the deliverables.

- We encourage organizations experiencing delayed payments to keep meticulous records of actions being taken. For example, if you are taking out lines of credit, keep records of accrued interest and make sure your budget reflects that the line of credit has been taken out to pay for X program and incorporates the additional interest costs.

HOW HSC CAN HELP

If you are experiencing any kind of cash flow problems stemming from late payments by the State, contact HSC by emailing Michelle Jackson, Policy Analyst, at jacksonm@humanservicescouncil.org. Please include the following information:

The name of the program you are contracted to provide and which State agency holds the contract
The contract number and amount
Where the services are provided
The amount you are owed to date and what payments you have received (if any)
Information regarding where the contract is in the process
HSC will pass this information on to the State Division of Budget, which has agreed to help address individual problems experienced by our members.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Organizations may also apply for funds from the City’s Returnable Grant Fund and are eligible under Category II, D if they need the funds due to late payments from the State. Applications can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nonprofit/downloads/pdf/ergf_loan_application.pdf

If you are a grantee of the Clark Foundation, you can also apply to the new Loan Fund they have created in conjunction with the Nonprofit Finance Fund. See the press release for additional information.

New York City Council passes FY11 budget Read > >

On June 29, the New York City Council passed a $63 billion negotiated budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 (FY11), including $395 million in restorations, initiatives, and discretionary funding from the City Council. If you are a member, you can click here to see HSC’s summary of the Adopted FY11 City Budget.

The City outlines plans to reengineer procurement process through HHS Accelerator Read > >

In April, the Office of the Mayor released a joint report from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), Achieving High Performance Relationships with Providers of Human Services. The report outlines the efforts of a new department, HHS Accelerator, to increase the efficiency and transparency in the relationship between City government and human services providers - so that New Yorkers will continue to receive the needed services they rely upon.

HSC and member organizations contributed to the research for the report and we are pleased that many improvements documented in the report are ones for which we have advocated for many years. Highlights of the changes include:

- Adoption of a cross-agency prequalification process and Master Service Agreements for human services
- Creation of a data vault (electronic, central repository) for documents required by the City that will eliminate redundant submissions
- Centralized audits aimed at reducing the number of audits performed Use of technology to encourage contract processing transparency.

On June 21, HSC was pleased to host a session for its members with Linda I. Gibbs, Deputy Mayor for HHS. Members can view the presentation from this session by going to the Members’ Only section of the website.

New York State Comptroller’s Office Releases Report on Not-for-Profit Sector – HSC’s Recommendations and Proposals Acknowledged Read > >

HSC wrote recommendations to alleviate financial and administrative burdens on not-for-profits (more about this in What’s Hot at HSC, below), which sparked the interest of the New York State Comptroller’s Office. We are pleased that New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and his staff worked with us to incorporate many of our recommendations in a report they issued in January 2010 about issues of concern to the not-for-profit sector and that Comptroller DiNapoli and key staff members came to present at our January 13 HSC Board meeting. We look forward to continuing our work with the Comptroller and his Office on our shared issues of concern, such as the loss of public and private funding, prompt contracting, government efficiencies and assistance for not-for-profits as they struggle in the economic downturn.

HSC Advocacy Efforts Results in Principles to Guide City and State Budget Decisions Read > >

With the help of its federations and coalition heads, HSC created a list of 8 principles for City and State leaders to use when making budget decisions. HSC sent the City principles to the Mayor and all City Commissioners and the State principles to the Governor and all State Commissioners in December. We were pleased to receive feedback already from government agencies that they are applying some of these principles to their difficult work of balancing the FY11 budget. We encourage all members and friends of the human services sector to use these principles in their advocacy efforts.

HSC releases its summary of the FY 2010-2011 New York State and City Executive Budgets Read > >

On January 19, 2010, the Governor released a $134 billion FY10-11 Executive Budget proposal that closes a $7.4 billion deficit. The Executive Budget contains $5.6 billion in recurring reductions to current-services spending which constitutes 75% of the gap closing plan. The Executive Budget also proposes increasing taxes or fee liabilities to generate almost $1 billion in FY11, approximately 14% of the overall gap closing plan. Click here to see HSC’s summary of the Governor’s FY11 Executive Budget.

Please note that the 21-day amendment period, in which the Governor can make changes to his formal budget proposal, ends February 9th. Over the next several weeks, the Legislature will hold a series of joint public hearings on the proposal and then negotiations with the Governor typically commence. Please see the list of human service related hearings below - we encourage you to submit or provide testimony. HSC will provide more instructions to members on actions you can take to help advocate for your services in the near future. Click here for the schedule of Joint Legislative Public Hearings on the 2010-2011 Executive Budget.

On January 28, the Mayor released his FY11 Preliminary Budget plan to close a $4.9 billion deficit for FY11 through $1.6 billion in agency gap closing options, with $484 million in reductions previously made for the remainder of FY10 and $1.1 billion for FY11. Gap closing actions taken by City agencies since 2007 helped generate a surplus of $2.9 billion in FY10, which is being used to balance the budget for FY 2011. Proposed taxes are an aviation fuel sales tax and a mortgage recoding tax, which are expected to generate $170 million and $50 million respectively in FY11. If the measures outlined in the preliminary FY11 budget are adopted, pre-existing out-year budget gaps will be reduced, but the City will still face budget gaps of approximately $3.2 billion in FY 2012, $3.7 billion in FY 2013 and $3.9 billion FY 2014.

The Mayor again seeks to reduce the growth in City employee salary costs with employee productivity increases, pension reform, and mandatory health care premium contributions in exchange for future salary increases. A new Tier V pension plan for new City employees would result in an annual savings of $200 million beginning in FY11 and requires passage of a new State law. The FY11 Preliminary Budget does not, however, rely on savings generated from pension reform or from new health care contributions from employees. For HSC’s full preliminary budget summary of the City budget, please click here.

HSC leading the negotiation of a standard human services contract Read > >

HSC is pleased to be representing the human services sector on the new Standard Human Services Contract – we have been advocating for the implementation of a standard approach to contracting and are excited to have reached this point.

The new contract will be used across the City’s human services agencies and will reshape the terms and clauses of human services contracts. This work will have a significant impact on the relationship between contracting not-for-profit agencies and the City of New York.

HSC is leading the sector through the negotiation process – working hard to ensure the interests of the sector are represented in the final document. If you, or other representatives from your organization, are interested in participating in continued discussions on the Standard Contract, please let us know so that we can add your name to HSC's Contract Reform Committee (even if only on a temporary basis). HSC is thrilled to offer this opportunity to members to engage in this important and meaningful work. HSC has led the effort of a 60+ member workgroup (of HSC members and City representatives) to develop a Standard Health and Human Services Contract that would contain mutually agreeable terms and conditions. HSC is also continuing its negotiations with the City on administrative rates and overhead, which should be incorporated into a City Standard Fiscal Manual.

All comments should be sent to Sandi Singer, HSC’s contracts consultant at sandi_singer@msn.com.

HSC Releases Recommendations To Alleviate Financial And Administrative Burdens On Not-For-Profits Read > >

Following the survey and report about the difficulties being faced by not-for-profit human services agencies due to the economic crisis, HSC developed a list of recommendations for government agencies to help not-for-profits alleviate their financial and administrative burdens. We encourage all not-for-profits to share this list with their government contacts. HSC has already sent both the survey report and these recommendations to all New York City and New York State legislators.

HSC reaffirms its commitment to antiracism work Read > >

HSC is proud that many of our members have already taken an Undoing Racism workshop, help by the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). HSC and the human services community we represent are strongly committed to antiracist work; we are thrilled that our Board of Directors reiterated its commitment to maintaining the momentum - despite the multitude of needs during these difficult economic times - by convening a subcommittee on antiracist work in June. Over a dozen Board members pledged to provide their time (or their staff's time) to work on this important initiative with HSC.

HSC Policy and Advocacy Workshops in All Boroughs Read > >

As part of our work to strengthen the human services sector’s ability to serve New Yorkers in need, HSC is hosting a series of policy and advocacy workshops in every borough. You are invited to attend any of the workshops, and we strongly encourage your staff members and colleagues to attend as well. Non-HSC members who might benefit from this learning opportunity, or who may be interested in learning more about HSC are also encouraged to attend. All sessions are free, and the earlier session includes breakfast. Click here for more information.

HSC Co-Sponsors Workshop on State and Federal Grants for Social Services, 9/15/10 Read > >

HSC, in conjunction with the office of Senator Gillibrand, is holding a workshop on State and Federal Grant opportunities for social services. Please see the attached flyer for more information and how to register. This event is for HSC members only; RSVP by September 7th.

HSC is partnering with NPower NY to connect not-for-profits with MS Online Read > >

MS Online- a set of bundled applications that can save your organization approximately 50% of your technology costs.

This initiative was developed through the COLA (cost-of-living-adjustment) Taskforce, which has identified cost-saving measures aimed at saving money that can be applied to City COLAs.

MS Online is a business solution that can help you achieve these savings and also help your organization run more efficiently. Please view our MS Online document for more details, including dates,time, and price comparisons.

New York State Comptroller’s Office Releases its Summer Newsletter Read > >

The Office of the State Comptroller has published its summer quarterly newsletter providing a summary of events, programs and activities which benefit the not-for-profit sector. Click here for the link. Please contact Elliot Pagliaccio, Assistant Comptroller, at 518-473-7520 for questions or feedback.

HSC Receives Grant from Kellogg Foundation Read > >

HSC is pleased to announce that we received a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, as part of a $75M effort by Kellogg to tackle structural racism and promote racial healing. HSC was one of 119 awardees across the United States – and one of the almost 1,000 grant submissions received by Kellogg for racial equity work. You can see our press release for more information. You can also see the America Healing part of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s website for complete details about their program and their America Healing online catalog, which includes HSC.

Medicare Extra Help Read > >

If you’ve been thinking about applying for extra help with your Medicare prescription drug costs, then now’s the time to get on the dance floor and hop to it. Chubby Checker, the Grammy Award winning rock and roll legend most known for his hit, “The Twist,” has teamed up with Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, to tell people about a new “twist” in the law. The change in the law makes it easier for people with Medicare to qualify for extra help with their prescription drug costs.

“The changes in the Medicare law will allow hundreds of thousands of Americans who are struggling to pay their prescription drug costs to get extra help during these tough economic times,” said Commissioner Astrue. “I am thrilled that Chubby Checker has volunteered to help us spread this important message through a new television, radio, and Internet spot as well as pamphlets and posters.” “Listen up, America! For 50 years, people of all ages and backgrounds have danced the Twist,” Chubby Checker said. “Now it’s important everyone learn about this new twist in the law." Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov.

There are income and resource limits a person needs to meet to qualify for the extra help. But the new Medicare law eases those requirements in two ways: • The cash value of life insurance no longer counts as a resource; and • Assistance people receive from others to pay for household expenses, such as food, rent, mortgage, or utilities, no longer counts as income.

A bonus “twist” is that the application you file for extra help can now start the application process for Medicare Savings Programs as well — state programs that provide help with other Medicare costs. These programs help pay Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums. For some people, the Medicare Savings Programs also pay Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) premiums, if any, and Part A and B deductibles and co-payments.

To learn more about the extra help program and to view the new television spot featuring Chubby Checker, visit Social Security online at www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp.

NPHD is offering HSC members a 15% - 20% discount on a variety of services to HSC members Read > >

NPHD, a branch of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, is offering HSC members a 15% discount on its already low prices on a variety of services covering IT issues, board and leadership development and coaching, staff and management issues, fundraising, marketing and development, and financial management. A 20% discount is available exclusively to HSC members in February and March for initial onsite assessment, a "virtual receptionist", and grant writing assistance.
For more information on the full range of services NPHD has to offer, click here

Grant Fund Loans Available from the City Read > >

The City's Returnable Grant Fund has $20 million dollars available to lend to organizations in need of assistance covering their short-term costs. The loan application is available by clicking here. HSC members who have questions on this loan process can contact our Government Contracts Consultant, Sandi Singer.

Opportunities to Partner with For-Profit Leaders - Read > >

Greater NY is a strategic partnership program, pairing executive leaders from both nonprofit and for-profit sectors in an effort to build stronger and more effective organizations by developing and implementing solutions using best practices from both sectors. Launched by private sector business leaders in response to the current economic crisis, this public-private partnership is an initiative of the Mayors Fund to Advance New York City.

Eligible nonprofit organizations should:
1)Provide human and social services that provide programming for vulnerable New York residents 2)Have an operating budget between $2 and $20 million 3)Currently receive funding from New York City 4)Need assistance in one of the following areas: o Administration o Expansion/Growth Strategy o Financial Management o Human Resources Strategy o Marketing/Communications/Outreach o Real Estate Sales/Acquisitions o Strategic Decision Making
Selected nonprofits will receive a grant of $15,000 and the opportunity to apply to Greater NY for additional funds to implement structural innovations.For more information about the Greater NY program and how to fill out an Expression of Interest form, please go to the City government website at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nonprofit/html/assistance/greater.shtml

Free Report: "The Effect of the Economy on the Nonprofit Sector: A June 2010 Survey" Read > >

Guidestar published a report about their June survey results. More than 7,000 people responded to the June 2010 economic survey, which measured the impact of these difficult economic times on the nonprofit sector. Click here to download the compelling report.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Commissions New Poll that Finds Minority Children Face More Obstacles to Health and Success than White Counterparts Read > >

Minority children and teenagers have fewer opportunities than white counterparts to be healthy, obtain a quality education, and achieve economic success, according to a national survey of adults whose jobs involve children’s education, health and economic well-being. The groundbreaking poll was released in July by the independent W. K. Kellogg Foundation, which sought to gauge the level of disparities children’s education, health and economic well-being. For more information, click here.

In May, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched America Healing, a $75 million, five-year initiative that is addressing the devastating impact of structural racism on communities and aims to improve life outcomes for vulnerable children and families. HSC was fortunate to receive a grant as part of this initiative and is pleased to be working with the Kellogg Foundation and the HSC Board of Directors to see how the human services community in New York can better understand and address structural racism.

New York State Comptroller Offers Information Resources for Nonprofits Read > >

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced a new section of his Your Money New York website that provides nonprofit organizations and New Yorkers interested in starting a nonprofit with the essential resources needed to create and support their communities more effectively. The new section offers access to reliable information on how to start a 501c3, how to deal with tax and labor issues, and finding grants and other financial assistance. The website also provides access to information from federal, State and local government resources, including:
* General Resources about Nonprofits
* Lobbying and Prompt Contracting
* Working with Employees and Volunteers
* Nonprofits looking for support in New York City
* Nonprofits looking for support in New York State
* Fundraising Help

Please see the New York Nonprofit Press article for more information.

HSC Sponsors Survey to See How Nonprofits Are Managing in Hard Times - See the Survey Results, Discussed at The Helpers Need Help Forum on Sept. 9, 2009 Read > >

HSC and the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management at Baruch College presented a forum, called The Helpers Need Help: New York City's Nonprofit Human Service Organizations Persevering in Uncertain Times to review the results of the survey. Download a copy of the survey report or read a press release about the survey. Finally, you can read an article from the New York Nonprofit Press about the survey and forum held on September 9.

The survey, which was developed by the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College in partnership with HSC, captures how nonprofit human services organizations in New York City are managing in hard times. It provides details on adjustments these organizations made to programs, staff, salaries, benefits, and other aspects of their operations in response to changes in revenues from public, private, and internal revenue sources in the last year. The survey expands upon the findings of the Winter 2008 Nonprofit Executive Outlook Survey, which focused on the economic environment of the past few years and its effects on a range of operating issues. The survey was completed in June 2009 with 244 nonprofit social service leaders responding.

Thanks are required to many HSC members for providing additional support for this survey; members contributed funds, called potential respondents, and worked on the development of the survey. These members include: Asian American Federation, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens, Children's Aid Society, Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, COFCCA, F.E.G.S Health and Human Services System, Good Shepherd Services, Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and NJ, Jewish Board of Family & Children's Services, Jewish Child Care Association, National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Phipps Community Development Corp., Project Renewal, Public Health Solutions, Safe Horizon, UJA Federation, and YMCA of Greater New York.

Free Guide on Maintaining Health Coverage After Job Loss - Read > >

Do you have clients who need to maintain health coverage after losing a job? United Hospital Fund produced a new consumer guide, Hard Times and Health Insurance: Staying Covered When You Lose Your Job, which presents practical advice on state and federal protections and how to exercise them.  The guide, which is available for free by clicking here, is made possible in part by support from the New York State Health Foundation and can be shared freely. Please contact the Funds Health Insurance Project co-director Peter Newell (pnewell@uhfnyc.org) if you have questions or comments.