South Windsor Human Services Requests $840,000 Budget for 2013-14

In accordance with the directive for a “zero growth” budget, the South Windsor Human Services department is seeking an $840,339 operating budget for 2013-14, some $8 less than current spending levels.

In a presentation to the Town Council on Tuesday, Human Services Director Dennis Sheridan said that the department was keeping spending levels essentially flat while demand for services, particularly for seniors, has increased.

Indeed, the number of lunches served to seniors and the number of seniors who take advantage of special programs has increased to 8,000 and about 4,500, respectively. Transportation requests and riders have also increased by about 10 percent from 2011 to 2012.

Social services has seen rises in rent/tax relief applications processed and energy assistance requests from 2010 to 2012, while food bank applications and office visits have declined somewhat.

Despite coming in with a flat budget, a major concern voiced by members of the council was how much Human Services would receive this year in grant money.

The department currently receives about $150,000 in state and federal grants, a number that is factored into the budget request for 2013-14.

Mayor Tom Delnicki pointed out the uncertainty of the state and federal budgets, which could impact how much Human Services receives in grants.

While Youth and Family Services Coordinator Joann Moriarty said that the department should prepare to lose at least some grants, Sheridan said that the majority of them were “sustainable.”

Responding to a question from Councilor Kevin McCann, Sheridan said that, despite the lean budgets over the last few years, the department has not turned anyone away.

“We do a very good job of meeting the needs of 99 percent of the town,” Sheridan said. “We run a fiscally tight ship.”

Sheridan said that any additional cut to funding, however, would mean having to reduce personnel and programs.

Additionally, Sheridan said there were two items that were not put in the budget that the department needs: a back office printer/copier and a car, though not necessarily a new one.

The printer/copier is a necessity, Sheridan said, because of the sheer volume of paperwork that is processed. The old machine finally broke down, Sheridan said, and should be replaced, given confidentiality requirements of people who use Human Services programs.
The car is a necessity for caseworkers to make visits in the field, Sheridan said.

Delnicki said that the council would look into funding those two items that were not included in the budget.

Overall, the councilors appeared pleased with not only the budget presentation, but the overall work that the department does for the town.

“Thank you for the excellent work your team does,” Councilor Saud Anwar said.

Councilor Jan Snyder called Human Services employees the “unsung heroes” of South Windsor.

A bigger issue than the budget, however, is Sheridan’s belief - held by many in town - that Human Services has outgrown the space at the Charles N. Enes Community Center.

“It’s challenging every single day and it’s more challenging based on the numbers I’ve shown you,” Sheridan said.

Not only is space an issue, but appropriate space as well.

Moriarty said, for example, that Youth and Family Services holds counseling sessions. Those are difficult to have when Zumba classes are taking place in the next room, Moriarty said.