Advancing initiatives that protect and enhance the health and safety of Nassau County residents is among the most rewarding work that I have the privilege of doing as a Legislator. These initiatives have never been as important as they are amidst the ongoing stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Monday, Oct. 26 meeting of the Nassau County Legislature, I proudly joined my colleagues in unanimous votes to dedicate resources to improving and protecting the welfare of our senior citizens - a beloved segment of our community that is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
We are grateful and fortunate to be able to receive and deliver the following life-affirming resources:
Helping Older Adults Shelter in Place
Nassau County received more than $650,000 in federal CARES Act funding from the New York State Office for the Aging to support the delivery of home and community-based services to seniors as they shelter in place during the pandemic. These dollars will be applied to enhancing quality of life for homebound seniors by assisting with household chores, housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, and transportation to essential services like doctor and dentist appointments. Assistance with simple tasks that so many of us take for granted can make all the difference as we seek to protect our vulnerable loved ones from COVID-19.
Supporting Senior Nutrition
The Office of the Aging also awarded Nassau County more than $2.3 million in CARES Act funding to bolster our Nutrition Services Program. Those funds will be applied to expanding “drive-through” and “grab-and-go” programs that serve seniors who typically utilize meal programs at community facilities, senior centers and other locations that have been closed during the pandemic. The well-rounded, nutritious and shelf-stable meals provide a solid nutritional foundation for participating seniors.
Caring for Caregivers
To support family members and others who have stepped up to provide at-home care for loved ones, Nassau County has secured nearly $410,000 in CARES Act funding through an allocation by the State’s Office for the Aging. Services supported through this funding includes counseling, respite care and training on various elder care-related issues.
Reaching Out for Assistance
To learn more about these initiatives and the full portfolio of Nassau County’s senior citizen assistance programs, visit https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/1438/Aging and contact the Department of Human Services’ Office for the Aging at 516-227-8900 or seniors@hhsnassaucountyny.us.
Buckle Up, Nassau County!
As life continues to slowly return to normal with COVID prevention protocols in place, road traffic has increased steadily to pre-pandemic levels - and that impacts every Nassau resident.
To ensure that the rules of the road are consistently and effectively enforced, Nassau County was recently awarded $200,000 for by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for its Buckle Up Seatbelt Enforcement Initiative and Aggressive Driving Enforcement campaigns. Those funds will be set aside to pay for overtime earned by the officers assigned to these important public safety initiatives. It’s also important to note that, starting on Nov. 1, 2020, a state law requiring all back-seat passengers to wear a seat belt will also
As many of you know, I sponsor annual events where representatives of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) inspect car seats to ensure they are properly installed and being used correctly for optimal safety. For information about Nassau County Traffic Safety Board’s Car Seat Safety program, call Chris Mistron at 516-571-7021.
And, as always, please feel free to contact my office about these or any other topics at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton
Nassau County Legislator, 11th Legislative District