GET READY FOR CITY FUNDING OF NORC SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAMS
The NORC Supportive Service Center (N-SSC) in New York recently celebrated the initiation of public funding for new programs in New York City. The N-SSC, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1996 by leaders of New York housing cooperatives and other national leaders to develop supportive service programs in housing units where many senior residents live. These are intergenerational buildings, not originally developed for senior citizens. The on site supportive programs help assist seniors to continue to live in their own homes with services tailored to meet their needs. The programs have demonstrated their usefulness to the elderly as well as saving funds that would have been spent on nursing homes or hospitals.
At a conference held on June 24, 1999 in New York City the featured speaker was Commissioner Herbert Stupp of the Department for the Aging who shared some preliminary thoughts on the new funding program.
Many existing and potential NORC supportive service program sites were represented and learned how they could avail themselves of city subsidization of programs and services for the elderly. There are 14 such programs statewide, helping thousands of seniors in developments, with some state funding. This spring, with the help of the N-SSC and a coalition of numerous organizations including the UJA Federation of New York, the City of New York voted to set up a $4 million program. It is anticipated that this will help some 20 to 30 programs, both new and already functioning.
The NORC Supportive Services Center has announced its readiness to assist housing units to set up programs and help strengthen those already functioning. The president of N-SSC, Nat Yalowitz, a founder of the model program at Penn South Cooperative, will be a featured speaker at a seminar "The New Millennium Issue: Property Management for an Aging Population" at the NYARM Real Estate Expo ’99 on Thursday, September 16th at Madison Square Garden. Admission is free with pre-registration though seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Registration information is on page 20 of this newspaper.
Mr. Yalowitz will address the subject of getting ready for the City’s Request For Proposals (RFP) under the new funding. He has also indicated that the N-SSC would assist any and all housing companies requesting assistance in this regard. With City funding, New York State will become a major center for the country’ efforts at long term health care services for seniors. All of the national research indicates the strong desire of seniors to remain in their own homes. The NORC Supportive Services Center will play a significant role in helping to bring this about. You can call or reach the N-SSC at 212-673-3900 extension 31 or write N-SSC, Co-op Central, 465 Grand Street, New York NY 10002, email to ny355-8@erols.com.