NYAPRS Note: Initial moves by NYS Mayor De Blasio indicate that his progressive social reform agenda will include attention to mental health services and vital social determinants of health. However, some of his administration’s rhetoric is already seen as (or being manipulated as) divisive by Albany lawmakers and more conservative opponents. In order to implement reforms successfully, De Blasio will need further reaching support and strong leadership within NYC agencies.
De Blasio Unveils $74 Billion Preliminary City Budget
DNAinfo New York; Colby Hamilton, 2/12/2014
“This is a progressive administration. Our budget will be a progressive budget,” de Blasio said.
The budget includes restoring $8.3 million in 2014 for homeless services that was slashed by the Bloomberg administration as well as allocating millions more. The city would also add $4.3 million for community-based mental health funding and other health agency reduction, as well as adding $1.3 million in spending for LGBTQ youth and runaway prevention.
Outlined in budget fact sheet:
* Bolstering Homeless Services: The preliminary budget directs $1.3 million in FY 2014 and $2.4 million in FY 2015 to add 76 shelter beds for the city’s homeless and runaway youth. Services include emergency housing, food, clothing, individual and group housing, and limited transportation services. The preliminary budget also directs $1.3 million in FY14 to improve security and programming at the Auburn and Catherine Street Shelters. In addition, the preliminary budget restores $9.3 million in FY 2014 and $19.1 million FY 2015 that was cut in the previous administration’s November modification plan. This funding means that families that don’t know each other won’t be forced to live together in a shared apartment.
* Providing HASA Rent Cap for HIV/AIDS Housing Clients: The preliminary budget directs $4.3 million in FY 2014 and $17.4 FY 2015 to cap the rent contribution for HIV/AIDS housing clients at 30 percent.
* Improving Access to Mental Health Services: The preliminary budget restores $4.1 million in FY 2014 and $4.8 million in FY 2015 of funding cut in the previous administration’s November modification plan that supported community-based mental health providers and immunization clinics.
See the whole story at: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140212/civic-center/de-blasio-unveils-70-billion-preliminary-city-budget and http://politicker.com/2014/02/bill-de-blasio-releases-budget-fact-sheet/