Welcome Joel Copperman CEO/President CASES

Human Services Contracting, Policy, and Budget Update Michael Stoller Executive Director Human Services Council

Human Services Council (HSC) We are an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for a network of more than 180 not-for- profit human service federations, coalitions, advocacy groups, and direct service providers throughout New York City. We educate policy makers and the community on how budget and policy decisions affect New York City’s social service providers and the poor and vulnerable individuals and families who depend on them for services.

Our Member Organizations Alternatives to detention Child care Child welfare Early education Employment and training Domestic violence services Homeless shelter and prevention Health and mental hygiene Incarceration re-entry services Immigrant services Legal services Senior services Supportive housing Youth services We have more than 180 members that provide community based services including: These organizations partner with government through contracts to provide skilled, effective, and cost-efficient care in the neighborhoods they serve

New York’s human services providers deserve a parade. Not an obstacle course.

What We Address Regulatory issues Antiquated policies Complex contract processes Limited staffing and technology resources Just a few of the obstacles not-for-profit human services providers run into while trying to help New Yorkers in need.

Why HSC Matters Our work has never been more important than it is right now Increased demand for human services when combined with fewer resources requires that our sector do more with less The sector needs a coordinating force, and we orchestrate the voice of the sector so that our message is heard We use our unparalleled access to City and State government to proactively negotiate for budget, policy, and legislative reform

Broad Areas of Focus Government relations and advocacy More efficient contracting Support for the workforce Streamlined technologies

Allison Sesso, MPA Deputy Executive Director Human Services Council

Impact of Fiscal Crisis Private donations and government funding are down Need is up Things are not looking good

Nickel & Dime-ing Us MTA Payroll Tax Property Tax Proposal Fire Inspection Fee Exemption Eliminated Vendex Fee Health Insurance Tax Passthrough Decrease to Charitable Contribution Deductions Prevailing Wage Requirement

Why Is This Problematic? Not-for-profits have no profit margin Recycles resources and creates waste Private donor consideration Government contracts are reduced Job and service cuts are inevitable

We compete with other “special interests” Tax status rules do not prohibit advocacy We see emerging needs first Our constituents do not have a voice If you snooze you lose (paying attention is key!) ADVOCATE!

Amplifying the Sector’s Voice in Media

HSC in the News TV Michael Stoller on Good Day NY Allison Sesso on Capital Tonight Chris Winward on NY1 Radio Michael Stoller on WBAI Print: Newspaper and Magazine New York Times Wall Street Journal NY Daily News Metro News Albany Times Union Reuters Chronicle of Philanthropy Queens Tribune New York Nonprofit Press

Leading The Way On COLAs 2005 City - 14% increase / $70 million investment 2007 State - $100 million annual investment 2009 City – 3% increase Changes in the cost of living over time are accounted for in a cost-of-living index. A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) adjusts salaries based on changes in the cost-of-living index. Find more information at

COLAs Lead to Historic Partnership Group purchasing Standard human services contract and fiscal manual Procurement / RFP process reengineering PPB rule change to extend length of contracts Technology – MS Online

Michael Stoller Executive Director Human Services Council

The Vision Of HSC For Contract Reform For human services organizations, we want: Less micromanagement More flexibility Less bureaucracy How is the City trending toward a more flexible model?

Contract Reform Working with the City to develop a standard human services contract to enhance and equalize the partnership between government and providers Contract terms and conditions now vary among government agencies and within agencies This is an opportunity for the sector, through HSC, to participate in drafting the most critical document that governs our work

New Appendix A Revisions Sought and Won by HSC Providers now have a right to an adjustment in expected service levels if there is a material change to the signed contract When there is a termination or reduction in funding without cause providers are now entitled to a more reasonable notice period Providers now have the option of retaining their documents electronically

Other Significant Human Service Contracting Reforms Interest penalties for providers when contracts are registered late Expanded eligibility of the City’s no- interest loans to providers affected by late contracting actions An expansion of the information published each year in the Human Services Plan so providers can get maximum notice of upcoming procurement opportunities Electronic posting of the full text of RFPs along with other contract opportunities VENDEX process amendments to eliminate the need for repetitive filings Expanded circumstances for when six and nine-year initial contract terms may be used Clarified circumstances for when an initial term beyond nine years may be used Modified performance evaluation process so that City agency ratings are more accurate and equitable

There Were Problems In Process The wounded economy has helped reveal the need for a long-term solution to the structural problems in procurement and the processes that support interactions between the City and human services providers. The safety and well-being of many human services clients depends on their receiving the right services at the right time and at an appropriate level of quality. The provider delivery channel is critical for these populations, but until late, regulation has obstructed delivery. For long-term success, human services clients often demand continuity of service, but this has been impossible in a procurement system driven by frequent provider competition.

So We Spoke Up! We took our members’ concerns to City government…. …And Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Linda Gibbs, working with the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, heard our suggestions, and has begun to implement a new initiative, HHS- Accelerator, which will streamline the procurement process.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Accelerator HHS-Accelerator makes huge strides in reducing the amount of paperwork not-for-profits must submit during the procurement process and makes it easier to keep documents up-to-date. It also offers organizations more time to focus on the program aspects of the RFP process. Michael Stoller, Executive Director

Michelle Jackson, Esq. Policy Analyst Human Services Council

HHS Accelerator RFP/Contracting process will be streamlined Three main components of the HHS Accelerator will integrate IT across the business process: –Prequalification –Data Vault –Master Service Agreement (MSA)

Prequalification Process Allows providers to submit documentation outside of the procurement cycle, and these documents can be refreshed over time and subsequently reused, rather than submitted again for each new procurement Allows vendors to submit all documents up front before bidding on an RFP Reduces paperwork

Data Vault Where organizational qualification and integrity documents will be stored and made accessible to providers, agencies, and oversight organizations Documents will be secured by controls that decide who can see or edit the document Both current and past documents will be accessible online This system will also create clarity as contracts are linked with the version used at the time of contract

Each not-for-profit will create a file of documents and is responsible for upkeep

Master Service Agreement Qualified organizations sign a Master Service Agreement (MSA) to commit to abide by the standard terms and conditions There will be one MSA per provider This will put the focus on service plans, not paperwork When a provider is chosen a Service Order is filed and registered with the Comptroller, which links to the MSA and leverages the existing documentation

submits organizational documents Data Vault Summary Organization enters into MSA to abide by standard contract should they win a service competition Service Order Filed with Comptroller Organization determined to be qualified to do business with NYC By category Agency issues Solicitation with only policy focused scope HOLD: 1 or more documents expired HOLD: 1 or more documents expired Under Review NFP violates terms of service Housing Nutrition Transportation Workforce Development Not-for-profit Services for Seniors

Human Services Taxonomy Strengthening Nonprofits Workgroup Providers, programs, and contracts will be mapped to a cross-agency human services taxonomy Creates a common language so that services and client populations are uniformly defined

HHS-Connect Mayor’s initiative to utilize ground-breaking and innovative technologies to improve the City’s ability to serve its Health and Human Services clients while providing better customer service and online access HHS-Connect creates technology that will streamline Health and Human Services, including: –Data sharing between agencies –Integrated case folder so that client information can be shared between agencies while confidentiality is maintained

Provider Portal The next step is to create a Provider Portal It will allow providers to interface with client documents It will link providers and agencies so that client data can be shared HSC meets regularly with HHS- Connect to share ideas and move the project forward

Chris Winward, MPA Senior Policy Analyst Human Services Council

Making Sector Issues Heard

Updates, Analyses, and Action Alerts HSC acts as a watchdog Provides budget updates and analyses throughout the budget cycle Informs the sector of policy and legislative changes Advises sector when to act

Access to Government Leaders Regular visits to elected officials in Albany and City Hall – we bring providers! Candidate forums and questionnaires New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Focused Meetings with Leaders Former NY State Governor Elliot Spitzer Governor Paterson Former Governor Spitzer State Comptroller DiNapoli City Comptroller Liu City Council Speaker Quinn City Finance Committee Chair & Division Director

Deputy Mayor Gibbs State Comptroller DiNapoli City Office of Management and Budget State Division of Budget Presentations to Our Members Health and Human Services Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs

Highlights From FY11 Budgets City $63 billion budget passed on 6/29/10 including $395 million in City Council funding $136 million of $180 million in proposed cuts to key human services - were saved (76%) 80% of HSC’s priorities saw some level of restoration State A $136 billion budget was finally passed on August 3 rd, four months late FMAP Contingency Plan gives Governor authority to make across the board cuts beginning September 16 th

Advocacy Example: Restoration of NYC Child Welfare Preventive Services Inform Sector of Funding Need Gather Examples of Impact Meetings with Key Leaders Organize Media

Cynthia Tao, MSW Director of Communications, Membership, and Development Human Services Council

Membership Services A team of seasoned, proven advocates work with members to further the goals of the human services sector Timely sharing of information to enable effective budget advocacy Opportunities for members to meet government officials and not-for-profit peers Free or discounted trainings and online community that strengthens members’ organizational capacity Free one-on-one expert contracting consultation to help navigate the City’s procurement process Cost savings on retirement plans and simplified plan management Cost savings on MS Online

Trainings and Forums Government officials present about the budget and human services policies Lobby Law trainings Advocacy and media trainings Discounted and free trainings Lobby Law Training at HSC State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

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