Chair Lee questions OMB on DSS cost containment plan development and savings calculation

Okay, and then really quickly with the DSS cost containment, which you were just talking about, how did OMB work with DSS to develop the cost containment plan and how are the savings amounts calculated?

Sure.

I mean, we, and I'll kick it back to Patrick as well, but we convened really the new leadership, the new commissioner at DSS.

had really all of the players across the board in terms of the Corporation Council, you know, the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, and we really just took a look at what we can do across the board

that was within our own control.

We knew that we had a state agenda.

We knew that we had things that we couldn't do on our own, that we needed the state to intervene in, but what are the things we're able to do?

And once they were identified, along with the housing team, and again, Health and Human Services, Corp Council, City Hall,

We then started to estimate, just like we would estimate any cost containment proposal.

We've looked at sort of what the trajectory would be if we made this change using available data from the Department of Social Services, for example.

And then we use that data to then make reasonable assumptions about what the results would be.

So we're confident they are real savings, they're recurring savings.

Again, the program itself, in terms of city FEPS, lifeline for many New Yorkers, we think that this will strengthen it while also making some reasonable operational efficiency adjustments.

Okay, are there any concerns that the strategy may slow down some of the application review processes and do you anticipate more overhead support will be needed?

No, when we've worked with the agency on this, we think that the level of administrative support, overhead, things like that are in place.

Like I said before, we did add a significant amount of funding to DSS for staffing in this plan so that they're able to hire up.

The two-for-one's gone.

Some of the IT measures they're putting into place should improve the process.

So we're confident that it's not going to make it longer.

Hopefully it's the other direction.

Right.

Okay.

I think that's it, actually.

I just want to plug that Councilmember Brooks-Powers did mention she wants us to look at the $5 million in the budget, as well as Senator Sanders'$1 million towards the trauma center.

And if we can get a timeline, I think she wanted it by today if possible, but if we can get a timeline on that, that'd be great.

But I just want to thank you so much, Director Solomon and your team, and also thank you to our controller in the back for waiting so patiently on your team.

But thank you for giving us the extra time.

We really, really, really appreciate it.

Thank you.