JFNA commends doubling of Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program funds

The Jewish Federations commend the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for recommending a $10 million funding level for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP) in fiscal year 2022, and the full Appropriations Committee for favorably reporting out the bill.
 

Approximately one third of the Holocaust survivors in the U.S. are estimated to be living in poverty. As a group, Holocaust survivors are subject to increased risk of depression, social isolation, and extremely poor outcomes if they don’t receive the proper care.
 

“Since 2015, the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program has become a critical lifeline for the country’s remaining Holocaust survivors, their families, and providers," said Elana Broitman, JFNA Senior Vice President, Public Affairs.
 

"Doubling funding for the program will ensure continued service provision that promotes the dignity, strength, and empowerment of the country’s remaining survivors, and also enhance opportunities to assist other aging adults who have been exposed to traumatic events," she added.
 

The Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program is a public-private partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, JFNA, and community-based health and supportive services providers to better address the unique needs of the country’s aging Holocaust survivor population.
 

It has led innovations in person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) care for Holocaust survivors and their family caregivers, an approach JFNA is further developing to serve diverse older populations impacted by trauma.
 

Nearly 90 percent of older adults in the United States have been exposed to at least one traumatic event, including those who have experienced violence and oppression, military veterans, first responders, refugees, and survivors of childhood and domestic violence, abuse, and man-made or natural disasters.
 

In addition to thanking Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-Ok.) for including the increased HSAP program funding in their draft bill, JFNA applauds Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) for championing this year’s $10 million funding request.
 

With the expressed support of more than 100 bipartisan House Members for the increased funding, JFNA is hopeful that the House will adopt the increased HSAP funding when it considers passage of the bill later this month..