Budget Update: Highlights of the Governor's FY13 Executive Budget Read  > >

While there are some concerns, HSC appreciates the Governor's overall recognition of the importance of human services in the FY13 Executive Budget Proposal. In particular, we are pleased with investments such as child care, a key work support, by increasing state funding by $93 million to offset a reduction in federal funding and the maintenance of many other cost-effective human services like alternatives to state juvenile justice facility placement, preventive child welfare and funding for supportive housing. However although the Governor's FY13 Executive Budget maintains many key services and embraces much needed administrative improvements, some concerns remain.

To read more on highlights of the budget and HSC's concerns, click here.

HSC Releases State Budget Cut Report Read  > >

On January 17, 2012, HSC released a report, "A Lose-Lose Proposition: The Economic Impact of Lost Human Services in New York State" which analyzed the impact of lost human service funding on those needing assistance, jobs and economic opportunity over the last two years. In that time, over $800 million in funding has been cut at the state level for such vital programs as child care and child welfare, youth and after-school programs, senior services, health programs, employment training and assistance, supportive housing, services for the homeless, and programs for people with disabilities; resulting in the loss of approximately 27,000 jobs.

The report shows human services programs are an economic engine in New York's communities, providing over a million jobs and supporting local economies through the purchase of over a billion dollars in goods and services. Human services like child care, after-school programs, and elder programs are also essential job supports, enabling parents and other caregivers to work and keep their jobs.

Human services matter to everyone, whether it's the people who need assistance or the local economies that benefit from the employment and business that human services programs generate. Our state cannot afford more service reductions. We need government to continue to look for alternative cost-saving and revenue-generating reforms that will move us toward a balanced budget and prevent further erosion of funds for human services.

For a link to the full report, you can visit the Who Cares? I Do. website.

Budget Update: Governor's Executive & State Budget Hearing Schedule Read  > >

At 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 17th, the Governor released his Executive Budget plan for FY13, which begins April 1, 2012. HSC will be reviewing the budget and providing a summary of the impact of the proposed budget on the human services sector as soon as possible after the release. The State legislature has also announced the joint budget hearing schedule to review the proposed budget - please see details below.

Legislature Announces Joint Budget Hearing Schedule

The schedule of hearings will commence on Monday, January 23, and continue through Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The respective state agency or department heads will begin testimony each day, followed by witnesses who have signed up to testify on that area of the budget. Those testifying must limit comments to no more than 10 minutes.

Persons interested in testifying must contact the person listed on the schedule no later than the close of business, two days prior to the respective hearing. Forty copies of your testimony should be presented at the registration desk at each respective hearing. We recommend that you call to reserve your place to testify as soon as possible.



For any questions, please contact HSC’s Chris Winward.

HSC's Response to Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City Address Read  > >

On January 12, 2012, Mayor Bloomberg made the annual State of the City speech at Morris High School in the Bronx. The bulk of the Mayor’s speech focused on education and job creation. But, we were struck by the minimal mention of Human Services. Good schools, good teachers and quality education are important. But, it is hard for students to be successful in the classroom when they are dealing with a variety of problems at home. So many families across the city are in need of supportive services, and this was not addressed by the Mayor.

Some highlights for the sector were:
• increase in Summer Youth Employment opportunities for teens
• employment services for immigrants
• job opportunities for young African American and Latino men through the Young Men’s Initiative
• increased availability of affordable housing

The Human Services Council looks forward to working with the Mayor, his Administration, City Council and other elected officials to make sure that the needs of all New Yorkers are addressed and communities and families are receiving the services they so desperately need.

To read the transcript of the address click here.

For any questions, please contact HSC’s Shana Mosher.

Act Now! Show your support for Human Services this Valentine's Day! Read  > >

HSC's Who Cares? I Do. campaign is organizing "I <3 human services" installations across the City the week of Valentine's Day to show support for and bring attention to these important services. To be successful we need service providers to organize clients and staff to fill out the attached heart template with a statement about why human services are important to them. HSC will collect and display these in public locations along with information about the Who Cares? I Do. campaign. The potential for participation is significant given the hundreds of thousands served by the membership of HSC; we hope agencies will make every effort to participate.

Participation instructions:
1 - Come up with a participation plan that's right for your agency. Involve appropriate programs, staff, etc.
2 - Let HSC know approximately how many Valentines you think your agency will produce, by borough. Please email: Karen Broderick by 1/20/12.
3 - Send completed Valentines (indicate boroughs) to HSC no later than 2/6/12.
Address: Human Services Council, 130 East 59th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10022

Tips:
• Suggest short, simple statements (see examples attached).
• Use colored paper
• Use the text boxes provided on the attached hearts to add your agency logo
• Promote your participation on social media (more details to follow)
• Take this opportunity to tell people about the Who Cares? I Do. campaign!

For more info and to download the Valentine templates, click here.

20th Anniversary & Leadership Awards Reception Read  > >

HSC's 20th Anniversary & Leadership Awards Reception celebrated all those who have contributed to New York City's human services community. Video of the event featuring Michael Stoller, Elwanda Young and Jack Krauskopf is available on Youtube.

¿Tendrá usted un hogar para los días feriados? Read  > >

El Diario la Prensa, New York City's largest and oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper, published an Op-Ed piece by HSC Executive Director Michael Stoller. Will You Have A Home For The Holidays? addresses the importance of nonprofit human services to all New Yorkers, including Hispanic families, who currently face both rising poverty and declining funding for health services, housing, child care, elder care, food pantries, and after-school programs.

Stoller reminds us that now is the time, before work on next year's state budget begins, to call or write our State Senators and Assemblymembers and let them know how much we care about human services and that we can't afford any more cuts.

An English-language version of the article is also available.

Who Cares? You Do! Read  > >

HSC is having a petition drive for the Who Cares? I Do. Campaign in December. We are encouraging everyone to show their support for this campaign before the budget season kicks off in January. The State budget has a projected $3.5 billion deficit and we need as many supporters as possible to show legislators that New Yorkers want human services programs protected in this year's budget. Please promote the petition with staff and clients via your website, social media, newsletters and mailing lists either online or by paper. If you have any questions or paper petitions to mail us, please contact Michelle Jackson.

NYS Tax Reform and Job Creation Package Read  > >

As you have probably heard, the Governor and Legislative leaders came to agreement yesterday on a tax reform and job creation package for New York. Below are highlights of that plan, HSC's public statement in response to the plan, an Op Ed by Michael Kink from today's Times Union calling for additional funds for human services, and the full press release from the Governor outlining the plan.

Highlights:
• $1.9 billion in revenue will be raised (extension of the millionaires tax would have raised about    $5 bb)
• The new tax plan expires December 31, 2014. A commission will be established to examine a    comprehensive overhaul of the state's entire tax code.
• MTA payroll tax reductions will apply to employers (including nonprofits) with payrolls under    $1.7mm annually
• $1 billon will be dedicated to a “New Works Agenda” that will create jobs through investments    in key infrastructure projects throughout the State.
• Inner City Youth Employment Program and Tax Credit
      • $25 mm dedicated to a $3,000 - $4,000    tax credit for employers who hire unemployed          youth ages 16-24. Because this is a tax credit, we do not believe it applies to nonprofits.
      • $12 mm in support grants to youth service providers for work readiness training,          occupational training, placement or job matching workplace mentoring ad follow up services
      • $25 mm for workforce skills training and support programs including digital literacy, basic          education and occupational training, summer youth employment, job search and placement,          facilitated child care enrollment.

HSC Statement / Reaction to Tax Reform Deal:

While this tax reform approach is not the perfect solution, it does represent significant movement toward a more progressive and fair approach to NY's income tax structure and we commend Albany for taking action.

At the same time we continue to be concerned about funding for human services. Over the last two years these programs have sustain $800 million in cuts at a time of rising need. It is not clear if this tax reform package will raise enough revenue to protect these services from additional cuts in the soon-to-be negotiated Fiscal Year 2013 State budget.

This approach moves our State in the right direction for our economy by putting more funds in the hands of low and middle class individuals and investing in job creation - particularly for inner-city youth. An investment in this population will create dividends for NY now and down the road. Additional investments in human service programs that help people become and remain employed are also needed. Programs like child care, afterschool, social adult day services, career pathways, supportive housing, and more act as important job supports and springboard low-income families into higher income brackets helping to create a more robust middle-class.

The Governor's recent embrace of a progressive approach to tax reform demonstrates that advocacy works. The fact that lawmakers felt compelled to come together to take action is a testament to the organizing and advocacy of many progressive coalitions throughout the State that have been pushing for alternative approaches to balancing NY's budget for a year. The courageous protestors of the Occupy movement also helped tremendously in moving the political needle and shifting the conversation to create opportunities for change.

We deeply appreciate the willingness of the Governor, the Majority Leader, and the Speaker to be open to new ideas and to the voices of the advocacy community. We look forward to reviewing the details of the proposal as they are released, with the hope that the State will remain open to a full give-and-take should the proposal not go far enough in achieving the fairness we all desire.

HSC through the Who Cares? I Do. Campaign will keep working to ensure NY dedicates adequate funding for human services and safety net programs that meet the needs of New Yorkers, but we embrace this important step in the right direction.

Op Ed by Michael Kink from the Albany Times Union that talks about the need to fund human services

Governor's press release

Service providers' “Austerity Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Read  > >

“The Austerity Breakfast” was organized by Human Services Council along with 99 New York and Beyond May 12 Coalition, to thank wealthy New Yorkers who are willing to give up tax breaks to pay for services to those in need. To read more click here.

New York City FY12 Adopted Budget Released Read  > >

The New York City budget process has finally come to a close. It was a battle every step of the way. Many of you joined us in taking to the streets and the halls of City Hall to let our message be heard about the importance of human services. On June 29th, a $66 billion budget was approved by the City Council for New York City Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (FY12), which began July 1, 2011. You will find a full summary of human service outcomes in the Member's Only section under Budget Analysis (NYC).

While there were many important restorations to human services, the adopted budget includes $116 million worth of cuts from approximately $340 million in proposed cuts to key human services. We are very pleased to see $224 million (or %66 of proposed cuts) restored to services such as senior services, child care, mental hygiene, domestic violence and other areas. However, there are still many cuts that will significantly impact providers and clients such as homeless family and adult literacy, summer youth employment, Beacons and Out of School Time after school services.

Human services have continuously been cut since 2008. Every cut this year is painful as they are on top of years of cuts. While we applaud the City Council for considering some alternative revenue options we are disappointed that more alternatives were not used to avoid unnecessary cuts to critical services. Please see Allison Sesso, HSC's Deputy Executive Director's assessment of the budget process and outcome for human services in the following two blogs...

Who Cares? I Do Campaign Blog

NY Times City Room Blog

FY12 Enacted State Budget Summary Read  > >

On March 31st, a $132.5 billion Fy12 State Budget was enacted, reducing overall spending by 2 percent from the previous year. This budget fills a $10 billion deficit for FY12 and reduces the projected deficit for FY13 from $15 billion to $2 billion. This was accomplished largely through cuts to services and State operations as well as streamlined government actions such as prison and juvenile justice center closures and the merger of various agencies. The Enacted Budget does not include any new tax revenues or a continuation of the temporary increase in the personal income tax which expires in December 2011. Other items of interest to the legislature were also not included in the budget such as a property tax cap, a renewal of the rent laws, or new funding for member items.

The Enacted Budget restores $91 million for "human services" and $180 million for health and Medicaid programs compared to the $400 million in health and human services cuts proposed by the Governor (not including the $2.85 billion in proposed cuts to Medicaid). The final budget also restores $270 million in education related funding and an additional $86 million for higher education.

Members can read the full summary on the Member's Only page, under Budget Analysis (NYS).

State Budget Highlights – March 31, 2011 Read  > >

On March 31, the State legislature finished voting to enact the FY12 State Budget, worth $132.5 billion and which reduces overall spending by 2 percent from the previous year. This budget fills a $10 billion deficit for FY12 and softens the projected deficit for FY13 to $2 billion. This was accomplished largely through cuts to services and State operations as well as streamlined government actions such as prison and juvenile justice center closures and the merger of various agencies. The enacted FY12 budget does not include any new tax revenues or a continuation of the temporary increase in the personal income tax which expires in December 2011. Other items of interest to the legislature were also not include din the budget such as a property tax cap, a renewal of the rent laws, or funding for member items.

Human Services Funding
The enacted budget will provide $9.4 billion for human services programs and $8.2 billion in mental hygiene programs in FY12. While the legislature made some important restorations to the cuts proposed in the Governor's budget, the final budget does not meet the need for services in New York's communities (See Budget Highlights on the Who Cares? I Do. website). The budget does provide significant reforms to the State's juvenile justice system that encourage greater use of community-based alternatives, while downsizing the state juvenile facilities system by more than 30 percent and investing in enhanced services for juveniles that remain in OCFS custody.

For more detailed highlights, click here.

HSC reaffirms its commitment to anti-Racism 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 anti-racist 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 anti-racist 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.

Corporate Loophole Informational Session 2/10 and Social Media Training 1/31 for HSC Members Read  > >

2/10 Corporate Loophole Informational Session:

Join us on Friday, February 10th 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at 130 East 59th Street, room 710 to learn about NY’s Corporate Tax Loopholes. The presentation may not go 2 hours, but we want to build in adequate time for questions.

HSC and many others are advocating for the closure of a variety of tax loopholes that would bring additional revenue to the State and help restore some of the $800 million in cuts endured by the human services sector over the last 2 years. Learn more about these loopholes, why it’s important for New York to change its policies to close them, and what you can do to support these policy changes to ensure more funds are available for human service programs.

Agenda:
• Brief overview of HSC report "A Lose-Lose Proposition: The Economic Impact of Lost Human Services in New York State" and the recently proposed State budget – Chris Alice Winward, HSC’s Director of Budget and Policy
• In-depth explanation of the Corporate Tax Loophole Reforms proposed by a wide-range of advocates across the State - Ron Deutsch, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness & James Parrott Deputy Director and Chief Economist, Fiscal Policy Institute
• Brief overview of HSC’s 2012 advocacy strategy – Allison Sesso, HSC’s Deputy Executive Director

To RSVP, please email Karen Broderick by 2/3.

1/31 Social Media Training:

Join us Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1-3pm, 130 East 59th Street, Room 710. The training is for those interested in getting started on social media, as well as organizations and individuals who already use social media.

The training will cover:
• Social Media Basics
• Deciding if Social Media is Right for Your Organization
• Practical Tips
• Using Social Media for Advocacy

To RSVP, please email Karen Broderick.

State Education Department Waiver Due February 1, 2012 Read  > >

This is a reminder that ALL ORGANIZATIONS must complete the State Education Department waiver for certain professional services by February 1, 2012.

Your programs may require you to provide certain professional services to your clients. If licensed professionals at your organization (whether on staff or as independent contractors) provide any of the following services, your organization must be in compliance with the New York State Education Law in order to continue to practice these professional services and contract with the City for these services:

• Social Work
• Mental Health Professions, including: Creative Arts Therapists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, and Psychoanalysts
• Psychology

The New York State Education law prohibits the practice of the above-mentioned professions by corporate entities, including nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit service providers may provide these services only if waivers of these corporate practice prohibitions are requested from the State Education Department (SED) by the deadline of February 1, 2012 or if all of the programs in the organization providing these professional services qualify for an exemption under the law. Once granted, waivers are valid for three years and must be renewed for each entity and program that received a waiver. Please refer to this SED Compliance Fact Sheet for more information.

The City has scheduled information sessions in January 2012 where SED representatives will answer questions. For more details and to see a schedule of the information sessions, click here.

Lobby Registration Due January 17, 2012 Read  > >

This is a reminder that the deadline for lobbying registration for both new and currently registered organizations is January 17, 2012.

If your organization is not currently registered with the City and/or State as a lobbyist, but you engage in advocacy activities, you should consider whether you need to register. If you spend more than $2,000 a year on lobbying at the City level, you need to register and report your lobbying activities with the New York City Clerk. If you spend more than $5,000 a year on lobbying at the local and State level combined, you need to register and report with the New York Commission on Public Integrity.

Many of the traditional advocacy activities that nonprofits engage in also constitute lobbying, including budget advocacy, lobby days, and creating and promoting a legislative agenda. For more information on what constitutes lobbying, please see HSC's Lobbying Brochure.

The New York City Lobbying Commission is currently considering changes to City lobby laws, but has not released final recommendations. Therefore the current law, including the $2,000 threshold, remains in place for 2012.

If you are contemplating registering for the first time, please speak with Counsel or contact Lawyers Alliance for New York.

HSC recently did a series of short videos on nonprofits and lobbying, the links to which can be found below.

What is Lobbying?
Can 501c(3)s Lobby?
New York State and City Lobbying Overview

More Budget Cuts to Already Struggling Human Service Programs Read  > >

The budget season hasn't started yet, but the cuts are already coming. On Friday, November 18th the New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the November Financial Plan which included the fiscal year 2012 and 2013 Programs to Eliminate the Gap (PEGs). Agencies and organizations had been notified earlier in the month of percentage targets of 2% for FY2012 and 6% for FY2013. In total Human Service agencies will see almost $114 million in additional cuts in FY2012, which will be enacted immediately and will look at $60 million in cuts in FY2013. A table summarizing PEG amounts for each year by agency appears on our blog.

New York City Young Men's Initiative Read  > >

The Young Men's Initiative is a public private initiative designed to address disparities between young African American and Latino men and their peers. Members can read a modified version of Deputy Mayor Gibbs' PowerPoint presentation on the initiative.

Michael Stoller honored at NYCOFI event Read  > >

The New York Communities Organizing Fund, Inc. celebrated the work done by New York Communites for Change in the fight for Social Justice, Housing, Education and Worker's Rights. HSC's very own Michael Stoller was honored at the event.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs today announced that Essensa, a New York-based group purchasing organization, will be offering membership to non-profits working with New York City. To read more click here.

Subsidized Housing Information Project (SHIP) Launched to Help Preservation Strategies Read  > >

NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy and its Institute for Affordable Housing Policy launched the Subsidized Housing Information Project (SHIP), a comprehensive overview of subsidized rental housing in New York City. The interactive database contains extensive information on nearly 235,000 units of privately-owned subsidized rental housing in New York City. It consolidates information from 50 separate public and private data sources into one searchable website, now available at: furmancenter.org/data . The Institute for Affordable Housing Policy's accompanying report, State of New York City's Subsidized Housing: 2011, analyzes the SHIP data to identify properties at risk of expiring out of affordability programs, as well as opportunities for preservation. To read more about SHIP click here.

United way of NYC Offers training and Program for Nonprofits to Recruit New Board Members Read  > >

The United Way of NYC (UWNYC) launched BoardServeNYC in 2010, a service that connects individuals looking to volunteer their nonprofit governance skills with not-for-profit organizations seeking board members. The service is free to New York City not-for-profits. Click here if you would like more information about the program and details on how to apply. There are trainings offered by UWNYC for both not-for-profits and for people who are interested in volunteering for a Board.

The City outlines plans to re-engineer 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 pre-qualification 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.

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 on-site 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 General Counsel, Michelle Jackson.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Releases Report: State's Late Payments Hurt Service Providers Read > >

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report for New York State's Not-for-Profit sector called “Delayed State Contracts and Late Payments Hurt Service Providers“ on November 14, 2011 describing how late payments from state agencies to not-for-profit service providers jeopardizes critical services for communities across New York. HSC has worked with the State Comptroller's office on this report over the past few years, making recommendations, providing information, and hosting forums on the effects of late payments to nonprofits. The report includes reforms and a number of policy and procedural suggestions to improve the way New York State does business with nonprofit agencies. To read the full report, click here.

The Elephant Is Not Pink: Talking About White, Black, and Brown to Achieve Excellence in Clinical Practice Read > >

The Elephant Is Not Pink: Talking About White, Black, and Brown to Achieve Excellence in Clinical Practice by Mary Pender Greene and Lisa V. Blitz, provides valuable insight into the racial experience of people of color in therapy. The article was published in Clinical Social Work Journal and is available to our members.

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 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 Sponsored Survey to See How Nonprofits Are Managing in Hard Times - See the Survey Results 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 if you have questions or comments.