Legislature committee moves $3.16 million in state and federal senior-services funding to full agenda

The Schenectady County Committee on Health, Housing and Human Services voted to move a resolution to accept state and federal funds to its full legislative agenda.

Adrian Silva, senior long-term care service manager with Schenectady County, told the committee the four-year plan approved by the state supports the county's continuing senior programs. "The total of both federal and state funding is approximately $3,163,811," Silva said, and listed services funded by the grant: nutrition services, legal support, health promotion (including a tai chi instructor), caregiver support, transportation, in-home personal care under ISEP, insurance counseling and emergency needs assistance.

Mary Foreman outlined timing for the 2024–25 funding: the county is operating under the 24-25 budget cycle and said state budget pages experienced delays. "The state office of the aging does not have their own IT department anymore," she said, describing reliance on a centralized state IT system and resulting delays in opening budget pages; Foreman said the county will file budget modifications when the pages open.

Legislator Ishmael moved the item and Legislator Gatta seconded. Committee Chair Legislator McGill called for a voice vote and recorded the item as moved to the full agenda.

The resolution was described as acceptance of grant funding; no additional county match, budget modification amounts, or program expansions beyond those listed were adopted at the committee meeting. Further budget changes were described as contingent on state IT and budget-page availability.