Senate Bill S3876

                                BILL NUMBER:S3876

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the social services law, in relation to enacting the access for
new Americans act

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would allow the Office of
Temporary Disability Assistance to administer funds directly to
community based organizations for the purpose of providing services
to immigrants and new Americans including but not limited to
pre-citizenship and citizenship services, English classes, legal
services, and employment services.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill would add a new section 140
to the social services law.

JUSTIFICATION:
As the immigrant community continues to grow in New
York State, services are required in order for them to become better
adjusted in our country. Relatively simple issues such as how to
apply for citizenship or how to get legal assistance can become
daunting tasks for one who is new to our state and our nation.

              

Within the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) exists the
Bureau of Refugee and Immigration Affairs (BRIA). BRIA's mission is
to direct resources to assist refugees and their families in
achieving economic and social self-sufficiency and to aid other legal
immigrants with their transition to life in the United States.

While the services provided by OTDA and BRIA are successful in their
family based approach, much more can be done. Currently, almost half
of the funds allocated for these programs and services are being
spent administratively and not for the intended purpose of immigrant
and new American assistance. Community based organizations on the
front lines of providing these services know how to implement
effective programs and how to best carry 011t services immigrants and
new Americans desire and need.

This legislation would authorize, on a more wide scale level, OTDA and
BRIA to allocate funds to specific community based organizations in
order to assist them in their efforts to help immigrants and new
Americans integrate successfully. As provided for in this
legislation, a steady stream of funding through the state budget for
these services will allow the state to better assist community based
organizations with the vital programs and services they provide.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2007-2010 - Referred to Social Services
2005-2006 - Referred to Social Services
2003-2004 - Referred to Social Services

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:


Subject to state budget appropriations.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
has become law.