Seniors Left Without State Coordinator, Services Hang in Balance

HARTFORD – State Rep. Jay Case (R-Winsted) is raising the alarm over the elimination of a key position within the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), following passage of the state budget signed into law by the governor in June. The position, Senior Center Coordinator, has played a vital role in supporting senior centers across Connecticut by ensuring consistent communication and effective coordination of services.

Without it, senior center directors are now left in limbo, with no formal point of contact at the department tasked with providing them the tools and resources they need to serve older residents.

“The elimination of the Senior Center Liaison position is just the latest example of how shortsighted budgeting decisions are eroding the safety net for our most vulnerable residents,” said Rep. Case. “Last session, meaningful proposals to increase support for seniors were dismissed without serious consideration by the majority. Now we’re seeing the consequences: key roles cut, coordination lost, and senior centers left without the guidance they rely on.”

Ironically, a recent meeting was held in Hartford to discuss potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level, many of which have yet to be formally confirmed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Meanwhile, the $55 billion state budget crafted by legislative Democrats and the governor earlier this year provides increased funding only to select senior centers, leaving others behind and cutting an essential position.

The Senior Center Liaison role, with an annual salary of approximately $73,000, was eliminated—despite the budget’s approval of several new programs and spending initiatives.

“The priority was clearly not to protect Connecticut’s safety net,” Case added. “Defunding this position will only create greater issues down the road, opening the door to inequitable access to critical services and higher costs to fill in the gaps later.”

Rep. Case, who serves on the legislature’s Aging Committee, is calling for the position to be reinstated when budget adjustments are made. In a letter to Rep. Case, ADS Commissioner Amy Porter stated that the department will make every effort to fulfill the duties of the eliminated position ‘within current appropriations,’ though without a dedicated coordinator, the strain on the system is expected to grow.

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