Catholic Charities relieved by state budget

After an intensive analysis of the $88.6 billion budget, which was announced on Jan. 22, Catholic Charities executive director Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, concluded that she was pleased.

"The Governor used some of the reserves from the past. In a year we anticipated some drastic cuts, he's done a very fine job," she stated, referring to Gov. Pataki's tapping state reserves to balance the budget.

Pluses

Sister Maureen noted that her office was pleased with several aspects of the budget that will affect Catholic Charities' services:

* Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) has been increased from $98 million to $125 million;

* the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program that helps seniors get prescribed medication is being expanded by $140 million;

* the block grant that capped aid to children in need has been eliminated, replaced by a $689 million proposal by the governor. Sister Maureen noted that this will allow individual counties to decide whether more funds are needed in preventive services or foster care for children;

* enrollment in the Child Health Plus insurance program and the Medicaid recertification process have been simplified, making it easier for people to access health care;

* the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for service workers has been increased by $55 million;

* food pantries continue to receive $4 million in funding;

* the Governor proposed $4.6 million be made available for services for juvenile delinquents and persons in need of supervision (PINS) from 16 to 18 years old;

* funding for adolescent pregnancy and prevention programs will be maintained at $17 million, and abstinence programs sustained as well; and

* early intervention services for infants and toddlers have increased from $155 to $210 million.

Reservations

Topping the list, she said, is that "the Governor's budget is based on getting some significant federal funding for Medicaid," which may not happen. In fact, the Catholic Charities director is worried about possible federal cutbacks instead of the increases Gov. Pataki hopes for.

In addition, Sister Maureen noted that while funding for single-room occupancy housing (SROs) was maintained at the same level in the budget, more beds need to be added to accommodate homeless people in transition. Without more funding, she said, there can be no more beds.

"I'm concerned about the increased number of homeless. That just stretches the system," she stated.

Sister Maureen also remarked that there has been an "erosion" in the amount of funding for AIDS services in New York State. She said that AIDS funding was given short shrift in last year's "bare-bones" budget, and that shortfall has been perpetuated when AIDS services are still very much needed.

More to come

"When you're anticipating some very, very serious reductions and you see a budget like this, I certainly congratulate the Governor, and we hope [the funding] can be maintained," she said. "It makes it easier when we don't have to fight for every dollar."

(02-07-02) [[In-content Ad]]