It was 1991 the last time there were cuts to human service agencies in Nassau which rival the cuts put forth by County Executive Thomas Gulotta this year, and it took 16 years for many agencies to return to the level of funding they enjoyed before the ax fell.

In spite of the harsh realities this year, the agencies ¬ most of which are slated to have funding cut by 50 percent and some cut altogether ¬ share a feeling of tempered optimism, a sense that perhaps they have allies within the halls of the Legislature. With the first Democratic majority in place in Nassau County history, there is hope among the affected groups that someone on the inside is on their side. They will test that theory today beginning at noon, when a large group of youth, drug and alcohol and mental health agencies, along with some of the people they serve, hold a rally in front of the County Executive Building at 1 West Street in Mineola.

"The goal of the rally is to communicate the depth of feeling and pain the community feels as a result of these cuts," said Steve Greenfield, executive director of the Mental Health Association. "Certainly, many of the families who are losing services want to be heard. We're committed to seeking this restoration and long-term support for human services in Nassau."

Gulotta called for the 50 percent funding cut to all discretionary contracts as a first step to eliminate the mammoth shortfall in the 2000 county budget. The county departments most affected include the Youth Board, the Mental Health and Welfare Council and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction. Senior citizen services and day care were not affected. The overall savings expected from the cuts is $9.8 million.

"These dollars are funding worthwhile programs, but the county simply cannot afford to do everything for everyone," Gulotta said in December. "These are necessary cuts that will be implemented to ensure Nassau County's fiscal recovery."

If the agencies hope the Legislature is in their corner, Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said this is so. However, whether the Legislature has it in its power to restore all or even most of the cut spending is uncertain. With the 2000 budget already passed, to reappropriate existing funds to the agencies would prove difficult if not impossible. However, Jacobs said she and her colleagues are seeking new sources of funding.

"In all bipartisan fairness, I don't think there's a legislator out there who isn't deeply upset about where these cuts have fallen," Jacobs said. "We are leaving no stone unturned in finding other areas of funding. If we find funding via the state or the feds then we can bring it in and earmark it. It's still [Gulotta's] call, but he'd be very hard put not to use it the way we're saying if we're the one' who found it."

Meanwhile, agencies like Mineola Youth and Family Services are having to cut staff and programs. The agencies involved provide services which help feed hungry children, protect abused women and children, offer after-school and literacy programs, and set up summer camps for disadvantage children.

Mineola Youth lost $100,000, half of its funding for 1999. Executive Director Suzanne Skaflestad said she has already laid off a part-time social worker, a clinical social worker and counselors. County funding represents between 80 and 90 percent of Mineola Youth's total funding, with the rest made up by private fund raisers and grants.

"We want people to know what a serious matter this is to families and children we service everyday," Skaflestad said. "For many families with no other options, we are the option. We've all worked really hard to make things better for the agencies and every single time this comes, we have to start from scratch."

The Family and Children's Association in Mineola did a financial analysis of what the cuts would save individual taxpayers and came up with 2 cents a day. Youth services in particular have been called one of the most cost effective networks in government, with the per-child cost as low as 31 cents per day, or $112 per year.

"Our strength is meeting the human need in this county," Greenfield said. "We understand the human services agencies will be called upon to help solve this problem, but the cuts to other departments have been minuscule. We think there are other areas, like criminal justice, where a lot of spending is going on that could use some review."

Greenfield said the agencies have bonded together to push for restoration of funds, while in the past many have fought individually when faced with funding cuts. He hopes this, coupled with the Legislature majority's commitment to a solution, will help bring about a less harmful solution to the budget crisis.

"I think every one of us has committed to the whole," Greenfield said. "We felt we should stand together for the greater good. We hope the new Democratic majority will look at this and find a way to bring fiscal health to the county without hurting the families we serve."