HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL OF NEW YORK

HSC strengthens New York's nonprofit human services sector, ensuring New Yorkers from all walks of life, across diverse neighborhoods, cultures, and generations reach their full potential. HSC fosters a diverse network of human service organizations. Together, we discuss ideas and take collective action on issues that impact the entire sector and those they serve. Through advocacy and collaboration, we support member organizations and their leaders in addressing their concerns of public policy, economic trends, and the regulatory environment. The human services workforce encapsulates 200,000+ providers in subsectors including: housing access, childcare, elder care, shelters, food pantries, mental health counseling, and disaster response. As the voice of the human services community, we highlight the struggles of those we serve, and amplify the need for a strong, well invested sector.

I. Strengthening government relations and advocacy
HSC watches and analyzes government actions and raise concerns when attempts are made to reduce resources that support important programs.

II. Improving sector visibility and recognition (non-government)
HSC shifts public perception from viewing human services organizations as charities and recognize their crucial role in the public-private partnership.

III. Convening stakeholders, recruiting allies, and building coalitions
HSC brings together sector and non-sector partners to identify needs and issues, brainstorm possible solutions, and present those solutions to the groups that can implement the changes.

IV. Building the capacity of the human services sector
HSC strengthens the capacity of the sector and the sector's workers through informational, networking, and training opportunities. HSC empowers organizations themselves to advocate on behalf of their clients and themselves.

HSC receives funding and in-kind grants from foundations and our members to cover our operating expenses and programs. By bringing together sector and non-sector partners to identify collective needs and issues, HSC is able to optimally convene stakeholders, recruit allies, and build coalitions that contribute to the growing number of members in our organization. To ensure HSC's sustainability, we are constantly looking to maintain and strengthen our infrastructure.

We prioritize retaining our current funders, as well as building and cultivating relationships with foundations and other human services nonprofits. We are also always looking to pursue new growth opportunities. By maintaining and refining this strategic plan, HSC aspires to continue working toward achieving systemic change in government policies and funding for the human services sector.

HSC's past and future accomplishments aim to shift public perception from viewing human services organizations as charities and instead, recognize their crucial role in the public-private partnership that provides New Yorkers with a bridge out of poverty. That being said, HSC has been committed to protecting and enhancing the resources dedicated to the human services sector. We have successfully advocated for a number of programs and policies that directly benefit the sector, such as Cost-of-Living-Adjustments for workers and contracts, the creation of HHS Accelerator and HS Data, and a number of the reforms and suggestions in the Nonprofit Revitalization Act and NYC Lobby Law Reforms. Despite all these accomplishments, we are not done. We are currently working with government partners to improve Disaster Planning and Preparedness between our sector and our government partners.