New Haven-area residents beware: A tiny agency that improves the lives of hundreds of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities while adding millions of dollars in federal funds to our ailing state budget is in danger of extinction.
In a clear manifestation of the adage, “Penny-wise and pound-foolish,” Gov. Malloy - ostensibly to save money - has proposed the elimination of the Connecticut Commission on Aging.
As a former unpaid, volunteer member of the Commission on Aging’s board - and the retired director of elderly services or New Haven - I know we cannot afford to lose this agency. Why? Connecticut is the seventh oldest state in the nation. Our population of people 65 and older will have increased 64 percent between 2006 and 2030. We are home to 1 million Baby Boomers, nearly one-third our entire population. The oldest members of this group are turning 67.
Meanwhile, the number of young people in our state is decreasing. You’d have to be an expert, with many years of experience, hands-on expertise, knowledge of national trends and access to experts to understand what this profound demographic shift means to Connecticut and its residents. The Commission on Aging possesses all these traits, and more.
For perspective, this agency has a staff of three professionals, augmented by a 21-member expert volunteer board - whose members receive no compensation of any kind. The commission’s annual budget is approximately $240,000, or .00001 percent of the overall state budget. They are a nimble, very specialized consulting group - without the huge price tag that usually accompanies consultants’ work. Yet, from its modest office on the fifth floor of the state Capitol the CoA - a non-partisan, independent research and public policy office of the State Legislature - has achieved remarkable, quantifiable results over its 20-year history. Examples:
- The CoA is a leader in helping the state make significant policy, structural and cultural changes to improve quality of life, save state dollars and leverage millions of federal dollars. It’s estimated these changes will save Connecticut $700 million annually by 2025.
- Recommendations have now been incorporated into Gov. Malloy’s own high- profile “Rebalancing Plan” released in January. “Rebalancing ” simply means making it possible for thousands more people to receive long-term care services at home and in their communities rather than in institutions. It’s what we all want.
- Through its expert oversight of state programs and leadership of influential boards and state departments, the CoA pursued over $20 million in federal funds over the last three years. Without this leadership, oversight and tenacity, this money would have been left in Washington. Instead it’s flowing into the state budget.
 I urge everyone in the New Haven area to contact your state representatives and state senators right away and urge them to reject the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Connecticut Commission on Aging. If you’d like more information on the CoA’s work, visit its website at www.cga.ct.gov/coa.
Better yet, give them a call at 860-240-5200. Chances are very good that one of three people in a small office at the State Capitol will answer the phone.
Don Dimenstein
New Haven