OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Sheyla Gonzalez, a social navigator with The Resource Center, speaks about a Medicaid program called the 11 15 Waiver at the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting.

A representative with The Resource Center is letting county leaders know about a new program that can help those in financial need.

Sheyla Gonzalez Colon, a social navigator with TRC, spoke at the recent county legislature meeting.

She said they are working with Medicaid with a new program called the 1115 Waiver.

“This program is helping individuals to qualify for any free non-medical services above and beyond what they already receive,” Gonzales Colon said.

Gonzalez Colon said the program can help people with food insecurity, utility assistance, rental assistance, and community transitional services.

“This could help individuals essentially get new furniture for the home, and new beds for children and families that are in the county,” she said.

Gonzalez Colon said the 1115 Waiver is tentatively scheduled to run until May 2027.

“This is just a test to see if it works. If it works, what they’re planning on doing is going to be incorporated into Medicaid,” she said.

Gonzalez Colon said children who are on Medicaid due to a chronic health problem may get assistance to ensure their home doesn’t have mold or lead.

“A lot of families here in Chautauqua County are living in condemned places and that’s not OK for families to be living this way,” she said.

Gonzalez Colon said some families may not qualify for SNAP benefits, but this program may be able to provide them with a box of food on a weekly basis for up to six months.

“This is fresh fruits, fresh veggies, fresh meat,” she said.

Gonzales Colon said The Resource Center is one of multiple organizations who are working with Medicaid recipients to get the word out about this program. They have visited homeless shelters and hotels in the community, explaining the program.

She said Medicaid has also contacted its recipients directly.

Dana Corwin with The Office for the Aging said the 1115 Waiver has been in process for the last seven or eight years for seniors. They work with Western New York Integrated Collaborative Care.

“The Office for the Aging is actually contracting with them as a vendor to provide services to people,” she said.