Crisis Services Program
National MS Society, New York City – Southern New York Chapter
Shari Alpert, Vice President, Major Gifts
$100,000
The New York City - Southern New York Chapter's Crisis Assistance Program provides emergency, short-term support for people with MS and their families. The program consists of 12 different services, and is an important safety net for those people with MS who suddenly face a challenge or a need that they cannot meet alone.
The current economic crisis, which has affected people across all spectrums, has also resulted in increased numbers of people with MS losing their jobs, not being able to afford health insurance, and struggling just to make ends meet. The chapter's Crisis Assistance Program is a vital component of the Society's mission to keep people with MS moving forward and to help them maintain their independence.
The main goal of the chapter's Crisis Assistance Program is to meet the immediate, urgent needs of people with MS. In addition, the program enables people with MS to access comprehensive case management.
The Crisis Assistance Program is especially critical for people who, due to gaps in health coverage or financial limitations, face special challenges in coping with MS. The majority of crisis services recipients have an annual income of less than $25,000. Recipients with slightly higher incomes often turn to the New York City – Southern New York Chapter for help when their private insurance plan denies their claims, or requires a deductible or co-payment they cannot afford.
The resources of the Crisis Assistance Program are available to any resident of the service area (New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Sullivan and Orange Counties) who lives with MS, regardless of age, race, or ethnicity. Chapter staff members assess each applicant's unique situation, to determine financial need, as well as the most appropriate type of services. Oftentimes, applicants are advised of other programs and resources offered by the chapter, as well as by outside agencies, from which they can benefit.
Crisis Assistance Program Components (with fiscal year 2009 statistics – NYC Chapter only)
- Home Care – the chapter provides up to 100 hours of assistance (200 hours for those with special circumstances) in the home to facilitate the basic activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating and bathing. During our 2009 fiscal year, the chapter provided 145 people with home care assistance at a cost of $152,000.
- Case Management – licensed professionals step in and help people with MS identify and solve challenges with issues such as paying bills, shopping for food and managing medication, while helping to identify additional community resources. The chapter provided 180 people with in-house and consultant-based case management services, paperwork/organizational assistance, and advocacy escort service at a cost of $55,000.
- Respite Care – many people with MS rely heavily on family and other informal caregivers for assistance. When the caregiver is temporarily away, the person with MS is often left without assistance. The chapter provides up to 100 hours of home care (up to $2,500/person) to allow the caregiver time off for medical necessity or other reasons. The chapter provided respite care to two people at a cost of $3,000.
- Home Delivered Meals – through an outside agency, the chapter provides people with MS who are unable to prepare their meals with up to 10 weeks of delivered meals. The chapter served 50 people with the 10-week meal program at a cost of $25,000.
- Crisis Counseling – licensed professionals (social workers, rehabilitation counselors or psychologists) counsel people with MS who are having difficulty coping with the emotional aspects of their disease. The chapter provided 103 people with MS and their family members with crisis counseling at a cost of $34,350.
- Emergency Financial Assistance – the chapter offers up to $500 in financial aid to bridge the gap for people experiencing unanticipated expenses due to their disease. The chapter provided 46 people with financial assistance at a cost of $20,000. We have noticed increased requests for assistance that fall outside of our eligibility requirements, relating to the current economic climate.
- Heavy Duty Housecleaning – we assist people living in unsanitary conditions who are physically unable to attend to everyday house chores. The chapter provided housecleaning assistance to 15 people with MS at a cost of $6,725.
- Rehabilitation Services – trained occupational, speech and physical therapists work with people with MS to regain physical and cognitive function lost to the degenerative effect of their disease. The chapter provided 59 people with rehabilitation services at a cost of $22,100.
- Medical Equipment - the chapter helps pay for new equipment and other gifts of refurbished and donated wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and other medical equipment to improve mobility and help people with MS leave the confines of their homes and engage others in their communities. The chapter purchased 82 pieces of equipment and loaned 42 pieces of equipment to 108 people with MS at a cost of $41,100.
- Home and Car Modifications – by assisting people purchase and install such things as a ramp into an apartment building, a grab bar in a shower, hand controls or a hydraulic lift for a car, people with MS are able to stay in their homes and remain active in the community. The chapter assisted 29 people with 30 modifications at a cost of $25,000.
- Air Conditioner Support – symptoms of MS are exacerbated by heat; the chapter provides assistance in purchasing and installing air conditioners for those who cannot afford them. Air conditioners were provided to 33 people at a cost of $13,000.
- Medical Transportation – the chapter provides transportation to and from medical appointments for those unable, due to disability and resources, to access the city’s public transportation and para-transit system. The chapter assisted 48 people with 64 round trips of transportation at a cost of $8,500.