(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
Southern Adirondack Independent Living is one of the largest economic drivers in the region, says its board president, David Bogue. He said this at the ribbon cutting of the new office inside the Wilton Mall, where SAIL has set up shop next door to the Saratoga Hospital entrance.
“We give out between $40 million and $50 million per year in Medicaid waivers,” he said. Medicaid is a federal health care program aimed at low-income people. The money that comes with those waivers is spent at nursing homes, therapists offices, medical equipment retail stores and other places.
“All those people are funded by the waivers we provide,” he said. “Ergo, we provide jobs.”
Bogue said this feature of the social service nonprofit was often overlooked when people think of SAIL.
At the same time, giving out the waivers is not the focus of the company.
At its core, SAIL provides services and access to care for people who want to live independently, the staff and administrators collected at the ribbon cutting said.
"A nursing home may not be your end-all option," Deputy Executive Director Tyler Whitney said. SAIL exists to help people live independently and "realize your own true potential."
Some of the customers struggle with illnesses, are poor, or disabled, they said. The nonprofit organization has people ready to help with any number of issues others face. The services are free and open to the public.
Helping a person process paperwork in order to get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Home Energy Assistance Program benefits is an example, said Janna Kopacki, the director of benefit services. SAIL will also point people to the right agency or office and even make an introduction.
“We become the front door to virtually every agency in the community,” Bogue said.
SAIL has offices in Plattsburgh and Queensbury.
The new location in the Wilton Mall is a move from Ballston Spa that was just a bit too far off the beaten path, and on the second floor.
The new location, which soft-opened in October, on the main floor of the mall near the hospital is key, all of the staff said.
“We get the foot traffic” that they were not getting in Ballston Spa, said Deven Springer, the office manager. He also said that they have been seeing more people from Washington County now that they have moved just a bit north.
At the new office they have been helping people with the Medicare open enrollment, which just ended, and with the New York State health care enrollment which is open into January, he said. He added that it is not just customers who come in, but case managers at the hospital office next door have stopped in to discuss services and needs, and even to walk a person in and make an introduction.
The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Friday Dec. 9.