Federal and State funding changes require us to change how we do business
Maine is the oldest state in the nation with the highest percentage of baby boomers. One in four Mainers is projected to be over the age of 60 within 20 years. These individuals - our parents, grandparents and neighbors - wish to remain in their homes and to age in place in the communities they have long lived. Older Americans Act funding; however, is not keeping pace with our aging population and policy makers have been reluctant to make funding of seniors a priority at a time when service needs to continue to grow.
For more than 43 years, older and disabled adults have relied on Spectrum Generations to provide them the help they need to be healthy and live independent, vibrant lives. Despite evidence that Older Americans Act (OAA) discretionary programs do save Medicare and Maine Care dollars, Congress has allowed OAA funding to stagnate in the past decade. That stagnation, combined with $122,647 in sequestration cuts in FY13 and FY14, has eroded our ability to meet the escalating needs to Maine’s most vulnerable adults. In 2004, we received $2.7M in state and federal grants. With the cumulative rate of inflation at $25.7% over the last decade you would expect today’s state and federal dollars to be near the #3.4M. Instead, it went down $1M yet the need is much greater today.
Federal and state revenues continue to be a smaller piece of our total budget. Without adequate funding older and disabled adults will be forced into more expensive alternatives that require them to leave their homes and not be able to age in place. To insure those we serve can continue to count on us, we must change how we do business.
10 Year Comparison
|
Total Agency
|
FY05 |
FY15 |
| Federal Funds |
$1,708,565 |
$1,984,306 |
| State Grant Funds |
$412,743 |
$345,185 |
| Other Grants |
$538,838 |
$141,065 |
| Fee-for-Service |
$1,408,489 |
$2,379,414 |
| Donations & Public Support |
$1,447,323 |
$689,369 |
| Sales/Fundraising |
$263,073 |
$252,864 |
| Rental Income |
$310,291 |
$268,832 |
| Other Revenue |
$186,252 |
$38,531 |
| Total |
$6,275,574 |
$6,199,566 |
Why the Shift to Fee-for Service Programs
Without new revenue streams and fee-for-service initiatives, we would have to curtail our service levels at a time when demand is growing. Funding stagnation and sequestration forced us to be smarter and find new solutions. Spectrum Generations has made an entrepreneurial switch to help fill these funding gaps with fee-for-service programs. Proceeds from our Bridges Home Care division, Cohen on the Meadows Catering and Community Case Management are put back into our community programs. When you or someone you know utilizes these programs, you are helping us fill the funding gap.
We Can’t Do This Without You
Our funding is complex and fragile. Federal funds are non-defense, discretionary and routinely subject to fluctuation. We depend on matching funds from local and county governments to supplement OAA services to meet the basic needs of Maine’s people. We must rely on the support of local communities, individual donors, municipalities, United Ways, businesses, corporate sponsorships and charitable foundations. Our fundraising events also play an important role in making certain we turn no one away from the help they need. Without the help of these community partners, a senior citizen or a disabled adult may not be able to get critical service. Help us help someone’s mother, grandfather or neighbor to get the basic help they need to successfully age in place.
Your tax deductible financial donations ensures the independence and dignity of Central Maine’s older and disabled adults. Please join us in being part of the solution our older neighbors must rely on.
Our Total Economic Impact: $2,245,970
