CAREERS Support Services May Get Boost in County Funding; Monies Also Secured in 2026 State Budget

By Holly Crocco

A local not-for-profit that helps people with disabilities enter and say in the workforce is poised to receive an extra $15,000 in county funds, with the County Legislature’s Rules Committee moving the request from CAREERS Support Solutions to the full meeting for approval.

The action occurred just days before State Sen. Pete Harkham announced that he helped secure $85,000 for the agency in the 2026 state budget, to go toward operations and educational programs.

Currently, the organization serves about 350 clients per year; about 100 of them are from Putnam.

“They are intellectually and developmentally disabled and they also may have psychiatric issues,” said Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria. “Everything we do gets them to be more independent, to gain confidence, to gain self-esteem, to get into possibly an internship and then a paid job where they are part of the community and giving back.”

CAREERS provides workforce readiness training and placement, works with students in all school districts, leads classes, sets up paid internships, helps adults who are ready to enter the workforce draft resumes, provides on-the-job training, and provides long-term and ongoing support leading up to retirement.

“I’ve been with the agency for 37 years and some of my clients are still with me,” said the director.

Cornish-Lauria said she has to fundraise about $347,000 every year to meet the agency’s budget. Last year and this year it received $15,000 from the county, even though this year she asked for $30,000 during the budget process.

“At 100 people on average that we’re working with, for $15,000, that means it’s $150 per client,” said the director. “We work with many of our clients every single day of the year, and all of our other clients we’re working with could be several times a week, every week. So $150 barely puts a dent in it.”

She noted that the request for another $15,000 – to total the $30,000 that was originally requested – “isn’t really additional because, again, I have to fundraise about $340,000 to meet my budget … I have a hole that I have to fill,” she said.

Cornish-Lauria has requested $30,000 for 2026 as well.

With more money coming from the county, she said it would free up time that is currently spent writing grants and fundraising, to instead go toward programming.

Legislator Dan Birmingham, R-Southeast, explained that, as the county approaches the end of its fiscal year, it still has $57,000 in “contingency” for outside agencies.

Legislator Paul Jonke, R-Brewster, said that to ask outside agencies that rely on county funding to wait until next year’s budget is unfair.

“Agencies like yours do work for the community that the county does not do,” he said. “So you’re filling a need in our county and I’m grateful for your work and all the work these agencies do.”

Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, said she would like to know what exactly will be funded with the county’s support, to which Cornish-Lauria said the money would go to salaries.

“That’s where I have a problem, is staff salaries,” said Sayegh. “That’s what you should be fundraising for, not going to the taxpayers.”

Rather, Sayegh said she would like to see the county funds go toward programming.

“But what is programming?” asked Cornish-Lauria. “Programming is the staff providing the program. That’s where the money goes to.”

She likened it to educational funding going toward teacher salaries, as opposed to desks or equipment.

“It’s a reality that every organization runs on salaries,” added Birmingham. “This government runs on people being paid. Certainly not-for-profits… they need to be paid as well.”

Legislator Greg Ellner, R-Carmel, said the support goes hand in hand with the county funding an early childhood learning center.

“We’re spending million of dollars for our early learning center and these are the same individuals who, as they matriculate, they are going to benefit from these organizations,” he said. “So, to me, an additional $15,000 for up to 100 or more people, this is a very, very good investment.”

Legislator Toni Addonizio, R-Kent, agreed. “We save money, as a county, by the services that you provide,” she told Cornish-Lauria.

The full Legislature will vote on the funding during its August meeting.

In announcing the funding for CAREERS last week, Sen. Harkham, D-Peekskill, also announced $7,000 for Prevention Council of Putnam for operations and educational programs, and $35,000 for the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center for advocacy outreach.

“These investments are important to organizations that are providing frontline services to our most vulnerable residents,” said Harckham. “Many of these are nonprofits operating on shoestring budgets and they accomplish so much. I am glad to have secured this funding because these programs will help empower residents and benefit them in so many ways.”

Cornish-Lauria said the funding provided to CAREERS by the state is “life-changing for the individuals with disabilities who rely on our services.”

“The senator’s commitment to our mission enables clients to receive the job training, job placement assistance, and ongoing long-term support they need to help them find, and keep, jobs they can be successful in,” she said. “Providing initiatives to help individuals with disabilities become financially independent, while also gaining self-esteem through work, is simply invaluable.”

Jessica Grainger, associate executive director of Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, said the state funding represents more than financial support.

“It’s a vital lifeline that enables us to continue providing compassionate, dignified care to survivors of violence,” she said. “It also allows us to enhance our confidential shelter, ensuring it remains a safe, healing, and hopeful space for those in need.”