Aging, Office for the

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Agency Web Site: https://aging.ny.gov/

Mission

The State Office for the Aging (SOFA) is responsible for promoting, coordinating and administering State, Federal and local programs and services to the elderly aged 60 and older; their families or other caregivers. The Office provides leadership and direction to 59 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other local programs and providers that comprise the networks of services to the elderly.

Organization and Staffing

SOFA program specialists provide oversight and guidance to the AAAs, service providers, and fiscal analysts who oversee the funding disbursement. The workforce is located in Albany, although SOFA staff routinely travel across the State to provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the AAAs and service providers.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2023 Budget recommends $283 million for Aging. This is an increase of $2.6 million from the FY 2022 budget. This change is the result of the discontinuation of one-time legislative adds as well as new targeted investments. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 122 FTEs, which is an increase of 27 FTEs from FY 2022.

Major budget initiatives include:

• $2.9 million in targeted investments to develop, expand, and replicate innovative services to better serve older New Yorkers and their caregivers, particularly due to COVID and associated workforce issues. This investment will support a range of services including transportation, volunteer stipends, elder abuse outreach, and animatronic pets.

• A $750,000 investment from the Department of Financial Services to establish a an elder abuse and financial exploitation pilot program in up to ten counties.

• A 5.4 percent FY 2023 Human Service Cost of Living Adjustment increase, totaling $5.9 million.

• Recalibrating $2 million in exisiting resources under SOFA to support an additional 27 FTEs. These positions will include contract managers, reporting and data staff, and management.

• Continuing the implementation of the FY 2020 investment of $15 million, as well as the FY 2022 investment of $8 million into community-based (non-medical) supports for aging New Yorkers. This investment will continue to help serve more older adults, will help them maintain their autonomy, and delay future Medicaid costs by intervening with less intensive services earlier.

• Continuing the implementation of the FY 2022 investment of $1 million Executive funding dedicated towards Holocaust survivor services.

• A $500,000 investment in FY 2023 and $1 million in FY 2024 and the subsequent outyears under SOFA for the creation of a State Master Plan on Aging. This master plan will coordinate all State policy and programs and address challenges related to communication, coordination, caregiving, long-term financing, and innovative care models.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Health Care (PDF)

Program Highlights

Community Services for the Elderly

The Community Services for the Elderly program supports multiple service options, including transportation, in-home services, and case management. Approximately 123,000 people are served annually.

Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly

This program supports non-medical in-home services, case management, non-institutional respite care, and ancillary services for functionally impaired older adults. Approximately 70,000 people are served annually.

Wellness in Nutrition

The Wellness in Nutrition program supports home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, nutrition education, and congregate meals. Approximately 210,000 people are served annually.

NY Connects

NY Connects provides free, objective, and comprehensive information on long term care services and supports. It has expanded statewide to serve all populations and currently serves approximately 270,000 people annually.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020