City Hall leadership convenes commissioners to accelerate progress across human service agencies
Deputy Mayor Helen Arteaga and Executive Director Michael Sedillo of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services (MONS) convened agency leaders and Chief Nonprofit Officers from city agencies with human service contracts to review data from Provider Payment Pulse, the city’s performance management tool that tracks key metrics for contracted human service providers.
MONS presented city results including improvements with the city’s contract backlog, budget modification cycle times, and feedback gathered through MONS’ Quarterly Provider Sentiment Survey, which tracks human service providers’ experiences working with contracting agencies.
"To continue delivering timely and high-quality services to New Yorkers, our city government must establish more efficient and transparent channels for tracking support to providers," said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. "Provider Payment Pulse equips us with the tools necessary to reduce waste and increase efficiency, and I'm confident this platform will power data-driven solutions to vastly improve city management and performance."
"Excellence in service delivery requires a high-performing contract management system," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "Provider Payment Pulse offers us a window into the experiences of human service providers working with contracting agencies. This data is crucial to our ability to problem solve and innovate as we continue to address backlogs, remove bureaucratic barriers, and enhance support for human services."
“As we enter a new era of collaboration with the nonprofit sector, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made in improving nonprofit contracting citywide,” said Michael Sedillo, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. “From reducing the City’s contracting backlog to below $2 billion for the first time since 2022, to streamlining our contracting processes and enhancing our customer service with providers, these achievements directly reflect this administration’s commitment to cutting red tape and delivering excellence in service for New Yorkers. While we recognize there is more work to do, our dedicated teams are moving the needle and we are doing it in partnership with our vital nonprofit partners.”
In the first quarter of the Mamdani Administration, the backlog of unregistered human service contracts across City agencies decreased 14%, dropping below $2 billion for the first time since 2022. This milestone marks a new era of excellence in service delivery and reduction in waste, reflecting the administration’s ongoing commitment to removing bureaucratic barriers and strengthening support for the human services sector.
The following highlights a list of improvements across agencies:
Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards (EHSDAs)
In addition, MONS announced that nominations are now open until May 8 for the City’s Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards (EHSDAs), a ceremony recognizing outstanding nonprofits and public servants who go above and beyond in serving New Yorkers. The awards honor excellence in customer service, innovative problem‑solving, operational excellence, an emerging nonprofit and dedicated public servants that strengthen the city’s human services safety net.
Launched by MONS, the EHSDAs advance the Administration’s mission to improve customer service for nonprofit partners in support of New Yorkers. City agency employees may nominate nonprofits with active contracts, while nonprofit organizations may nominate city staff who support them throughout the contracting process. A selection committee composed of nonprofit leaders and city employees will review applications and interview the finalists. The ceremony will take place in August during NYC Nonprofit Week.
“I am deeply grateful to the ACS team for its tireless efforts to support our nonprofit provider partners by ensuring that contracts and budget modifications are processed efficiently and that providers are paid timely,” said Administration for Children’s Services Interim Commissioner Melissa Hester. “ACS continues to have no contracts in the backlog, has reduced our invoice cycle time to seven days, and made significant progress on our budget modifications this quarter. We know that timely contracts and payments are critical to ensuring our human service partners can continue delivering high-quality services to New York City’s children, youth and families.”
“The supports and programs our community-based providers deliver across the city are pivotal to the growing number of older adults who call the city home, and we need to ensure they have the resources to continue their missions” said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. “By reducing the amount of time required for invoicing, our providers are re-imbursed in a timely basis. That gives these organizations the stability to succeed, creating a more age-inclusive city that benefits everyone. I look forward to continuing to update our processes to further reduce the red tape so they can continue their important work for older New Yorkers.”
“Our nonprofit partners play an integral role in our efforts to effectively deliver services to New Yorkers across all five boroughs, and the unique experience and community connections of each provider help us ensure DSS services are reaching residents who can benefit from our wide range of supports,” said DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. “We are committed to building more efficient, flexible, and responsive contracting processes that allow our non-profit partners to focus on the work of serving people instead of worrying about whether they will be paid. The data show that we are making progress and I look forward to building upon those efforts.”
“Our nonprofit providers are on the front lines of public safety and public health, doing some of the hardest, most important work in our city to deliver stability for justice-impacted New Yorkers and create real pathways to success,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan. “We’re committed to showing up for our providers — being responsive, accessible, accountable, and focused on solutions that ensure they’re supported and paid on time — so they in turn can continue showing up for the people who need it most. Partner engagement is critical to maintain faster payments and stronger working relationships that support safer communities.”
“The FY26 Q3 Provider Sentiment survey's indication of a 75 percent increase in participation reflects the growing trust and engagement of our provider community. In my short tenure as NYC Probation Commissioner, we have noticed a growing trust and engagement with providers. This is what I have envisioned since re-imagining our Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON),” said NYC Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin. "Our provider partner voices are essential to strengthening our work, and this level of response ensures we are building a more collaborative system that better serves New Yorkers.”
