Kirsten’s New York Minute: Expanding the mental health workforce
This is an official news letter from the office of Senator Gillibrand. For further information, direct inquiries to her offioe.1. Recruiting more mental health professionals
A majority of New York counties don’t have enough psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers.
To make sure all New Yorkers have access to the care they need, Kirsten is working to pass a bill that would expand the mental health workforce in underserved communities. She is supporting the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, legislation that would help recruit mental health professionals by providing them with student loan forgiveness in return for practicing in underserved areas.
Read more.
2. Ending food deserts
Kirsten is working to ensure all New Yorkers have access to affordable, healthy food.
This week, she visited Albany, Syracuse, and Binghamton to announce legislation that would help end food deserts, which are areas where many residents don’t have easy access to a grocery store and affordable, nutritious food. Her Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act would help end food deserts by providing $50 million annually to USDA’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), which helps bring grocery stores to underserved communities. She is also calling for $25 million for HFFI to be included in the upcoming government funding bill to help bring affordable, nutritious food to more families across New York.
3. WATCH: Kirsten continues to tell stories of hostages
Kirsten is committed to telling the stories of hostages being held by Hamas.
After meeting with hostage families last week, Kirsten delivered her ninth speech on the Senate floor to tell the stories of their loved ones who have been held hostage for over 100 days.
4. Federal $$$ → NY
Kirsten is dedicated to bringing federal dollars home to New York.
Just this week, she delivered:
Over $157 million to reimburse New York State for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
Over $8 million to support local organizations that advance art, music, and culture in our communities. Read more.
Over $6.5 million for a new generator at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital to ensure the lights stay on during power outages.
5. Meeting with autoworkers
This week, Kirsten met with UAW members from New York after the union secured better wages and benefits for autoworkers in 2023. She discussed how she can continue to work with them to improve conditions for all American workers.
6. Helping organizations keep their grants
When a new climate change-focused organization needed to secure 501(c)3 tax-exempt status or risk losing $1,000,000 in grants, they contacted Kirsten's office for help. Kirsten's team contacted the IRS, who reviewed and granted the organization's tax-exempt status, allowing them full access to the funds they had been awarded.
