NYAPRS Note: Here’re some quick findings from the just released Executive Budget proposal. Stay tuned: we’ll provide a more detailed summary and analysis tomorrow.
January 16, 2018
NYS 2018-19 State Budget First Look
HOUSING
Statewide
- 100,000 new affordable housing units; 6,000 new supportive housing units
Office of Mental Health
- $10 million in targeted supported housing and SRO rent stipend increases
- 200 new supported housing beds at cost of $1.2 million
Analysis
The proposed allocation far misses the mark established by our Bring It Home campaign to raise housing rates. Look for this to be a top priority at NYAPRS Legislative Day located at the Egg on February 27th!
WORKFORCE
Office of Mental Health
- The Governor’s budget includes funds to pay for the 6.5% rate hike for direct care staff and 3.25% for clinical staff we helped win last session for the fiscal year 2018-19.
COMMUNITY RECOVERY SERVICES
Office of Mental Health
- Reinvestment Funding – Recognizing the need to fund services in the community vs. state hospitals, the budget creates an $11 million reinvestment fund derived by the closure of 100 beds (at $110,000 per bed).
- Crisis Respite programs: the budget anticipates a $50 million capital investment to fund crisis respite programs across the state
- Assertive Community Treatment Teams: the budget includes $25 million to create 20 new ACT teams, 10 in New York City to focus on homeless individuals and 10 in the rest of the state to focus on individuals with ‘high needs.’
- Adult Home Peer In-reach: it appears that the state will be funding a $5 million peer bridger like program to help transition adult home residents to the community.
MEDICAID
- The Medicaid program grows by 2.5% for a state total of $18.9 billion.
- In anticipation of federal cuts, the Governor has created a $1 billion reserve fund to cover potential shortfalls.
- Recognizing the instability of our Medicaid program due to proposed federal changes, the Governor creates a $1 billion Healthcare shortfall Fund.
- It appears that there are cuts to the Managed Medicaid Long Term and pharmacy programs.