Program areas at CSS
Css's health initiatives department conducts health coverage policy research, advocates for quality affordable coverage for all, and provides education and direct health coverage assistance to New York consumers. Css's health coverage-related direct services programs include: Community health advocates; the css navigator network; the independent consumer advocacy network; the abd-fe program; the managed care consumer assistance program (mccap); and Community health access for addiction and mental healthcare project (champ). For many of these projects, css subcontracts with networks of community-based organizations to serve consumers across New York state. Together, in fy 2023, css's health coverage direct services programs served consumers in over 150,000 cases. The health initiatives department has 10 trained and active volunteers.
Education debt consumer assistance program (edcap) edcap established its statewide network and has 10 community-based organizations providing direct consumer assistance.edcap hired additional staff at css to support the program.edcap conducted 91 workshops with 11,011 participants, conducted 3,000 one-on-one counseling sessions, saved consumers $6,266,494, and helped borrowers manage over $58 million in student loan debt.5.1 million New yorkers reached through outreach and education campaigns. This includes direct mailers to borrowers, general campaigns focused on available relief like the public Service loan forgiveness, and borrowers reached through social media platforms.edcap continues to support the following legislation: a private student loan bill aim to increase consumer protections holding private student loan debt; a private student loan registry bill that would require private lenders to provide annual data to dfs for New York to better understand the private student loan sector and lending practices; and the student loan employer notice bill requiring employers to provide a standard notice to New employees about student loan programs and repayment options
Retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp core program)-1,000 rsvp volunteers were deployed, providing over 140,000 hours of Service at 145 Community partners throughout the five boroughs such as soup kitchens, food pantries, tutoring projects, cultural institutions, community-based organizations, adult literacy programs, and hospitals.-several outreach campaigns were conducted to reactivate rsvp volunteers who have been inactive since covid came back to Service. These outreach efforts were not all positive - we learned that many volunteers will not be returning to Service for a variety of reasons (moved, health issues, travel concerns, etc.). Staff have shifted focus to creating stronger and more innovative recruitment methods to attract New volunteers.-three of the four volunteer managers in the program left during the past year and three New staff were hired and successfully onboarded.-several recruitment events were held to attract New volunteers to the program resulting in 160 New volunteers joining and actively participating.-15 New partner organizations, such as broadway Community and westside campaign against hunger,were developed. Approximately 16 partners who had been on pause due to covid resumed Service, such as urban hope nyc, the bronx zoo, and the medicare rights center. We will continue to engage inactive partners to bring them back to Service and cultivate New partnerships.-a volunteer recognition campaign was initiated to recognize volunteers for their outstanding Service. Rsvp was featured in an article in the queens chronicle newspaper highlighting the importance of volunteering. Production is almost complete on a wnet television segment on aging featuring rsvp nyc as the "birthplace" for what became the national program. Our first in-person volunteer recognition event was held with over 175 volunteers and Community partners in attendance.
Other program services include:unheard thirdhousing researchyouth policylabor market studiescapacity buildingcitylimitsincome supportbenefitplushiicaplegal department