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County health officials warn state-funded Healthy Neighborhoods program faces elimination from proposed state budget
Summary
Deputy Commissioner Lisa Lahiff told the committee the county-administered Healthy Neighborhoods program (annual funding $275,000) is on the Governor's list of programs proposed for elimination; she urged legislators to contact Albany and said the program addresses lead, asthma and home hazards in Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis.
Deputy Commissioner of Health Lisa K. Lahiff told the Health and Mental Health Committee Feb. 18 that the Healthy Neighborhoods program, administered by the county and funded at $275,000 annually, is on the Governor's list of budget items proposed for elimination.
"This program, despite being mid-contract (grant) cycle, is on the Governor’s list of funding to be eliminated," Lahiff said, detailing the program's work identifying and reducing home health hazards (asthma triggers, lead hazards), conducting home visits, distributing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and supporting eviction-prevention activities in Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis. Lahiff asked legislators to contact their Albany representatives if they can assist in restoring funding.
Nut graf: County staff emphasized the program's role in preventing environmental health hazards and noted it serves populations in specific cities within Orange County; officials pledged to supply program statistics to the legislature upon request.
