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MCOA Membership:

Late Sunday the FY20 Budget Conference Committee released its compromise proposal. Both Chambers passed this proposal Monday afternoon. The Governor will have 10 days (August 1st) to sign/veto. The legislature then could opt to override any vetoes which probably would happen by Labor Day.  

From the FY20 Conference Committee Budget Report: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee

9110-1640 Elder Behavioral Health: For the geriatric mental health program, including outreach, counseling,

resource management and system navigation for community-dwelling

elders with mental health needs …………………………………………………………………. * $800,000                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       *EMHOT Results: Additional $300,000 to start 2 or 3 new programs and/or augment existing programs. Secretary Chen will make the final decision. An RFP has been developed and is ready to be distributed. Stay tuned.

9110-9002 Council on Aging ….** $19,017,400

For grants to the councils on aging and for grants to or contracts with nonpublic entities which are consortia or associations of councils on aging; provided, that notwithstanding the former proviso, all funds appropriated in this item shall be expended under the distribution schedules for formula and incentive grants established by the secretary of elder affairs; provided further, that the formula grant portion of this item shall be $12 per-elder; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended for the town of Millis to conduct a feasibility study for the design and construction of a new Senior Center; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for renovations needed for the Marblehead Council on Aging’s kitchen in the town of Marblehead; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the Andover Senior Center in the town of Andover for rehabilitation of their facility after the Merrimack Valley gas fires of September 2018; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for the Buzzell Senior Center in the town of Wilmington for necessary repairs and renovations; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the cost associated with care and services provided at Whipple Senior Center in the town of Weymouth; provided further, that not less than $92,400 shall be expended to the Groton senior center for the procurement of an emergency generator; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the town of Sandwich for the purpose of defraying engineering and design costs of a new Center for the Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the conversion of the Allen Avenue School in North Attleboro into a center for the North Attleboro Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for a grant to the town of Needham for security and accessibility improvements at the Center at the Heights; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for costs associated with the feasibility study as well as the conversion and general improvements as they relate to the Mansfield police station being converted into a center for the Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for education and enrichment programs at the Council on Aging in the city of Lawrence; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the city of Everett to renovate the basement of the senior center to expand senior services; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the installment of an elevator in the Senior Center Building in the town of Seekonk; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Halifax Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for The Senior Center Consortium representing the towns of Ashfield, Buckland, and Shelburne and the western Franklin County region for the design and project management of the renovation, expansion or new construction of the Senior Center in Shelburne Falls; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority for the establishment of a Senior Van and Paratransit Service in the town of Berlin; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for a transportation van for the Woburn Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for renovations needed for the Fitchburg Council on Aging’s flat roof in the city of Fitchburg; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for the town of Reading for the purchase of an elder and human services van; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the town of Longmeadow for the purchase of an emergency generator for the new Longmeadow Adult Center which will also be used as an emergency shelter; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall expended for kitchen facility improvements at the Rochester Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for facility improvements and equipment upgrades at the Freetown Council on Aging; provided further, that not less than $135,000 shall be expended for accessibility and safety improvements at the Lovering Heights Senior Citizens Complex in the town of Medway; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for repairs and upgrades to the roof of the Stoneham senior center in the town of Stoneham; provided further, that $75,000 shall be expended to the Marshfield senior center for renovations, accessibility improvements, security upgrades and repairs; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Carver council on aging; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Raynham council on aging; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Marion council on aging; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Dighton council on aging; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Berkley council on aging; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Bridgewater council on aging; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Wareham council on aging; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Middleborough council on aging; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to enhance services at the Taunton council on aging; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for the Pembroke council on aging to make accessibility improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the operation of the South Boston Neighborhood House, Inc. and its senior program; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Lunenburg for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to the town’s senior center; provided further, that not less than $95,000 shall be expended for the installation of a lift-type elevator and to complete construction in the Plympton council on Aging in the town of Plympton; provided further, that$100,000 shall be expended for repairs and upgrades to the roof of the Dracut council on aging center in the town of Dracut; provided further, that not less than $85,000 shall be expended for roof repairs and replacement at the council on aging in the town of Abington; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the town of Hampden for a feasibility study to determine the costs and needs associated with the renovation or replacement of the existing senior center; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the operation of the Alzheimer’s caregivers respite program at the Brookline senior center; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the town of Chelmsford’s age-friendly initiative at the Chelmsford senior center; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended for financial assistance for qualified seniors in the city of Newton to receive the services of Newton At Home, Inc.; and provided further, that not later than February 15, 2020, the distribution schedules shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and

means …………………………………………………………………………………………….….**$19,017,400

**FG & SIG Results:

  • $12 Formula Grant
  • Senate and House had proposed $2,017,400 for a record 44 earmarks.
  • $1,546,784 leftover for SIG. We have already secured $1,007,343 for MCOA Membership priorities. The balance of SIG funds is currently being discussed with Secretary Chen’s team. Read MCOA Briefs for RFP opportunities.

In addition from Patricia Baker, Mass Law Reform Institute: “VICTORY on SNAP Gap and HIP funding!!   The Conference Budget includes both language and $1M in funding for a pilot to start closing the SNAP Gap as well as the full $6.5 M in HIP ($2M more than in House 1 and in the House budget). Huge thanks to SNAP Coalition members and special hats off to Winton and the HIP advocacy team!”

And from Andrea Friedman, MPHA:Success! MA Food Trust – $100,000 as requested for FY20 operating expenses (same as FY19)”

And from State House News: “Nursing homes will receive $50 million in supplemental rates under the budget “to ensure that our seniors get the care that they deserve,” (HWM Chairman) Michlewitz said, and a task force will be formed to look at ways to stabilize the industry”.

Again- nothing is final until the Governor signs the document(GAA); he has until by August 1st; but overall this is one of the most age friendly budgets in decades….Stay tuned!

Dave
David P. Stevens
Executive Director
Massachusetts Councils on Aging
Email: david@mcoaonline.com
Web: www.mcoaonline.com
Cell: 413.539.0565

Massachusetts Councils
on Aging

116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306
Easthampton, MA 01027
 
Telephone: 413-527-6425
Fax: 413-527-7138