Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Community Advocacy Partner in Long Island
At the Health & Welfare Council (HWCLI), our work centers on fostering an inclusive, equitable region where all Long Islanders can thrive. Established in 1947, we serve as a regional umbrella organization for health and human service providers, addressing systemic challenges through a three-pronged approach: policy advocacy, coalition-building, and direct services. Our expertise lies in connecting vulnerable populations to critical resources like SNAP enrollment, healthcare access, and disaster relief while driving systemic change through grassroots organizing.With 76 years of regional experience and partnerships with 200+ organizations, we prioritize transparent collaboration, client-centric advocacy, and evidence-based solutions to combat suburban poverty and health inequities. Our authoritative role in Long Island's social safety net is built on decades of demonstrated expertise in public policy analysis, community crisis response, and ethical stewardship of federal programs.
Services
SNAP Enrollment
Healthcare Insurance Assistance
Emergency Food Assistance
Policy Advocacy
Community Coalitions
Details
- Year established: 1947
Highlights and features
- 76 years of regional experience addressing Long Island's unique challenges
- Network of 200+ partner organizations enhancing service delivery capabilities
- Direct service programs connect 11,350 individuals annually to critical resources
- Policy advocacy shaping equitable healthcare and social policy reforms
- Emergency response leadership during disasters like the 2020 pandemic crisis
What people say
Heroic pandemic response efforts
Lifeline for families during crisis
Effective policy advocacy leadership
Reliable community partnership network
Expert healthcare coverage guidance
Services
SNAP Enrollment
Our Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program connects Long Island families with food security resources through personalized enrollment support and outreach initiatives. We help households navigate application processes while addressing barriers to accessing affordable groceries and school meal programs. Our services specifically target those earning too much for federal aid but struggling with Long Island's high cost of living, ensuring nutritional needs are met through federal and state partnerships.
Healthcare Insurance Assistance
We provide expert navigation of New York State's Health Insurance Marketplace, helping individuals and families secure appropriate coverage through ACA enrollment services. Our team addresses healthcare access disparities by educating clients on options, resolving insurance errors, and connecting uninsured populations to community health advocates. This service proved critical during the 2020 pandemic when 28,000+ Long Islanders faced potential premium increases due to expiring subsidies.
Community Coalitions
We convene multi-sector coalitions uniting nonprofits, business leaders, and policymakers to address regional challenges including healthcare equity and disaster preparedness. Our coalition-building approach created Long Island's Social Care Network (HEALI) and organized pandemic response efforts through LIVOAD. These collaborations drive systemic reforms while amplifying community voices in policy decisions affecting Long Island's vulnerable populations.
Emergency Food Assistance
As regional administrator for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, we coordinate crisis response efforts connecting at-risk individuals with immediate food resources during disasters. Our network supports food pantries across Long Island and operates home delivery services for homebound residents. This infrastructure proved vital during the pandemic, supporting tripled demand at local pantries while distributing PPE and groceries to vulnerable communities.
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for equitable policy reforms at local, state, and federal levels through research-driven campaigns and grassroots mobilization. Our policy work focuses on healthcare affordability, affordable housing, and economic stability initiatives that address systemic poverty on Long Island. This includes direct engagement with lawmakers to shape legislation impacting low-income residents, demonstrated through our leadership in ACA subsidy preservation efforts.
People
Vanessa Baird-Streeter
President and CEO
Vanessa leads HWCLI's strategic initiatives with 30+ years of nonprofit leadership experience focused on healthcare equity and social justice. She spearheads regional ACA enrollment efforts and coordinates disaster response coalitions, serving as a trusted voice on Long Island's healthcare challenges. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its policy advocacy and direct service capacity while maintaining fiscal integrity.
Questions
What services does HWCLI provide for Long Islanders?
We offer SNAP enrollment assistance, healthcare insurance navigation, emergency food programs, policy advocacy, and community coalition-building focused on equity reforms.
How can I access food assistance through HWCLI?
Contact our office to connect with local food pantries or apply for SNAP benefits through our enrollment specialists who provide personalized application support.
Does HWCLI help with health insurance enrollment?
Yes, our certified navigators assist with New York State Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment, including ACA subsidies and special enrollment circumstances.
How does HWCLI influence policy decisions?
We convene 200+ partner organizations, conduct policy research, and advocate directly with lawmakers to shape legislation addressing Long Island's unique challenges.
Is HWCLI involved in disaster preparedness?
Yes, we lead Long Island's disaster response coalitions including LIVOAD and coordinate emergency food distribution during crises like the 2020 pandemic.
How can I get involved with HWCLI?
Join our network as an individual advocate, corporate partner, or nonprofit member to participate in policy initiatives and community service programs.
