The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #9
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Questions Treasury Secretary on Economic Development Funding
On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano questioned Treasury Secretary Jack Lew about the proposed budget request for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), and expressed concern about a proposal to cut one of the programs within the fund. Serrano is the top Democrat on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Department of the Treasury, including the CDFI Fund.
“I am concerned that the Administration has proposed both a small decrease to the CDFI Fund, in addition to a proposal to eliminate the successful Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) program,” said Congressman Serrano. “The BEA is a successful program that has had a direct impact on my constituents in the Bronx, and I recently visited a CDFI in my district that has been doing great work with BEA funding. One of the strengths of the CDFI Fund is the diversity of programs that promote investment in underserved areas, each addressing a key need or opportunity. We should be expanding the work that the program does, not contracting it.”
Serrano has been a strong supporter of the CDFI Fund. As Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, he more than quadrupled funding for the program, which supports investment in areas that have been historically underserved. The program has generated significant investment in the Bronx, where CDFIs have made more than 700 loans and investments to promote economic development, create jobs, build affordable housing, and expand access to mainstream financial services.
Serrano Announces $11.8 million in Federal Health Grants for the Bronx
Over the past two weeks, Congressman Serrano announced that four Bronx health care providers had been awarded more than $11.8 million in federal assistance for their services to Bronx residents. The providers, Bronx Community Health Network, Bronx-Lebanon Integrated Services System, Urban Health Plan, and HELP/PSI were awarded varying amounts of funding, but all of it was for their work in the Bronx.
"I was so pleased to see federal funding flowing to great organizations like these four," said Congressman José E. Serrano. "They are on the front lines fighting to bring healthcare and health equity to the Bronx. Residents who use their services are getting some of the best care right in their community. We can turn around the health statistics of the Bronx with the work of groups like these and their partnership with the federal government."
"We are pleased to be able to facilitate access to affordable, quality care for 106,000 patients at 15 community and school-based health centers and to assist Bronx residents in navigating the health care system, especially the many benefits of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)," said Eleanor Larrier, the CEO of Bronx Community Health Network. "We appreciate the unwavering support of Congressman Serrano and our elected representatives."
"ACA funding is vital to the improvement of accessible, culturally competent, quality health care and reduction of avoidable healthcare utilization," said Saudah Muhammad, the Executive Director of Bronx-Lebanon Integrated Services System (BLISS). "BLISS’s will continue efforts to improve the health status of the community and reduce preventable healthcare utilization. BLISS, in association with FQHC sub-recipients, MLK and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, currently provides comprehensive primary and specialty health services. HRSA’s ACA funding provided BLISS with an opportunity to improve access to primary and specialty health services to address the unmet health needs and persistent health disparities in the Bronx. Due to high levels of poverty and shortages of culturally competent primary care and specialty health professionals in the neighborhoods of south and central Bronx, BLISS’s service area is designated by HRSA as a Health Professional Shortage Area. Many of the patients seen by BLISS not only suffer from chronic diseases, and are unable or unwilling to utilize the healthcare system."
"The renewal of HELP/PSI’s federally qualified health center designation and grant in a competitive process allows us to continue providing thousands of New Yorkers with healthcare and demonstrates the strength of our partnership with HRSA and the community,” said Paul Vitale, President and CEO of HELP/PSI. “Our programs and services are specially designed to bring the most vulnerable, underserved and at-risk into our comprehensive integrated care, an approach that increases overall health while reducing costs to the healthcare system. With our flagship location in The Bronx, Congressman Serrano is an essential partner and we are forever grateful for his unwavering support.”
“The renewal of this competitive grant is a testament to the work that Urban Health Plan does to ensure that Bronx residents receive the quality care they deserve. As we celebrate our 40th year of service to the Bronx community we are proud to provide a wide array of patient-centered primary and specialty health care services at more than eighteen clinic and program sites throughout the Bronx and Queens,” said Paloma Hernanez, President and CEO of Urban Health Plan. “Community health centers like Urban Health Plan have long been recognized for the critical role they play providing access to quality primary health care services and cost savings to the health care delivery system. In addition, they have an economic effect on communities by creating jobs and fueling additional economic activity. Congressman Serrano understands this and that is why he supports the work of community health centers.”
Congressman Serrano joins New York City Congressional Delegation in Urging HUD to Keep Sandy Recovery Dollars in Region
Reps. Serrano, Meeks and Jefferies demand Hurricane Sandy aid stay in the affected region
Last week, Congressman Serrano joined Representatives Meeks and Jefferies at a press conference on the steps of City Hall, calling on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan to ensure that Hurricane Sandy relief funding remains focused on directly impacted areas. HUD is currently considering reallocating some of the Hurricane Sandy recovery funds to other parts of the country. Congressman Serrano also sent a letter with 13 of his colleagues in the New York City congressional delegation to Secretary Donovan urging him to keep Sandy recovery dollars in the Sandy-affected region.
" It was understood that the Sandy recovery would receive first priority in the disaster funding passed last year." Congressman Serrano explained. " The region has a staggering level of unmet need and there is no reason to consider moving funds elsewhere. Appropriated funds need to fulfill their purpose before they can even be considered for reallocation."
Finally, back in Washington this week, Congressman Serrano and members of the New York City congressional delegation met with HUD officials to discuss the issue. There is approximately $3.6 billion in unobligated funds in the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. HUD officials assert that no decisions have been made with regards to how it will allocate the money.
Full text of the the NY congressional delegation send is letter below.
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April 22, 2014
Secretary Shaun Donovan
U. S. Department of Housing Urban Development
451 7th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20410
Dear Secretary Donovan:
More than a year and a half after Hurricane Sandy, much work remains to be undertaken in the rebuilding of devastated communities in our districts. With the Department of HUD now in the process of considering funding priorities for Sandy rebuilding and resiliency efforts, we are writing to express our concern with the lack of consultation and briefing between HUD and members of the House and their staff on this issue.
More troubling, well-respected news sources have contacted our offices last week with supposed preliminary figures and information on HUD’s rebuilding budget allocation. These programs have very significant implications for our communities looking to rebuild and eagerly waiting for federal funding to restore important economic activities. And yet, the lack of congressional briefing hampers our ability to refute or validate the information being circulated, and limits our ability to address the most important issue for many of our constituents. We therefore request your immediate assistance to ensure that members’ offices received appropriate briefings and consultations as soon as possible on both the process and preliminary budget figures under consideration, and prior to HUD releasing any information regarding the aforementioned to the public.
We appreciate HUD’s commitment and work on Sandy rebuilding efforts, and we forward to your timely response to our concerns and request.
Sincerely,
Gregory W. Meeks
Carolyn Maloney
Michael Grimm
José E. Serrano
Yvette D. Clarke
Peter T. King
Timothy Bishop
Joseph Crowley
Steve Israel
Carolyn McCarthy
Grace Meng
Hakeem Jeffries
Nydia M. Velázquez
Charles Rangel
In the Bronx
Congressman Serrano joins Urban Health Plan for Simpson Pavilion Ribbon-Cutting
Last week Congressman Serrano joined Urban Health Plan for the official opening of the Simpson Pavilion, which is the organization's ninth clinic site. The new 54,000 square foot facility will allow Urban Health Plan to treat an additional 20,000 local residents, with adult medicine, walk-in, pediatric, and other major departments to be housed there. The Simpson Pavilion is also home to a physical fitness gym for patients and a demonstration kitchen where patients and community members alike will learn how to prepare healthier meal options.
"I am very happy to see Urban Health Plan leading the charge against health disparities here in The South Bronx by continuously expanding options and access for residents," said Serrano. "This expansion not only improves healthcare accessibility for thousands of residents, with a fitness center and community kitchen, but it will also help transform lives by encouraging our community to make healthier decisions on a daily basis."
Congressman Serrano at the Urban Health Plan ribbon cutting event
Grant Announcement
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
Deadline: June 2, 2014. Please see full announcement for additional submission information.
The Internal Revenue Service has made funding available for cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations interested in helping elderly individuals prepare taxes. The IRS will provide training and technical assistance to nonprofit based volunteers who will provide free tax counseling to individuals 60 years or older as they prepare federal income tax returns. All non-profit organizations with experience in coordinating volunteer programs, and some experience in income tax return preparation are encouraged to apply.
Please follow this link for the full grant announcement: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=254390 . For more information about other federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov.