June 2020
Rural Matters
Table of Contents
In this issue

Northern Broome CARES
Rural Cultural Competence Expands to Virtual Format
saloLeadership Message - 
A Short List of Rural Health Network Updates
Jack Salo, Executive Director

Things are moving fast in the world, in our lives and at Rural Health Network. Some changes are a long time coming, including the call to an end to the violence and abuse of systemic racism. Others feel like a tap on the shoulder to remind us of our place in the natural world - a forced reckoning of individualism necessary to mitigate the real dangers a global pandemic. While events we either can't control, or feel swept along with have dominated the news and our lives, we take some solace in our daily activities, families, communities and friends. Towards that end, I wanted to provide a few updates on what is happening at Rural Health Network as we continue working together to navigate the new environment.

Re-Opening: A work group has been working since late April to plan for the re-opening of our office at 455 Court Street. Since the initial shut-down of non-essential businesses, the Rural Health Network has remained open with a small staff of five or less to maintain business operations, while most employees have been working remotely. Rural Health Network has multiple programs that meet the essential service definition so was not required to shut down on-site operations completely. Our plan for re-populating the Court Street office is to incrementally increase staff numbers beginning in July. Contingent upon the availability of the supplies and services necessary to re-open safely, RHN plans to increase staff numbers at the Court Street Office from 5 to 10 in mid-July; 10 to 15 in mid-August and potentially to our maximum safe number, projected to be 24, after Labor Day. 
 
Capital Campaign: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and shut-down, the business component of the capital campaign was postponed. Rural Health Network is awaiting decisions on two foundation funding applications and will have more information to share in the next several weeks. Thanks again to all of our supporters who have continued to contribute to and promote the capital campaign. In the last two months, grants from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation and Visions Federal Credit Union along with gifts from individual donors have advanced the campaign to 60% of our goal. 

The July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 Fiscal Year: Rural Health Network will enter the new fiscal year in a strong position financially, which is important considering the uncertainties with New York State and other traditional funding sources due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. RHN's diversified funding portfolio also provides some resilience to potential and actual funding cuts. 

An important focus of RHN over the past two months has been to consider the rural health needs that will be confronting our region as we move into the less acute phase of the Pandemic. Staff leaders have been engaged in strategy analysis and have continued to apply for funding to both support existing initiatives and in anticipation of needs and opportunities arising from COVID-19. In addition to traditional funding sources, we anticipate the need for new partnerships and funding to continue our mission in the post COVID-19 world.

Systemic Racism: Rural Health Network will continue to work to address the health disparities, social and economic justice issues that disproportionately affect African Americans. Additionally, we will continue to participate in educational activities to educate ourselves about racism. Our Community Health Education Department will consider what our role can and should be in providing education on racism in rural communities. Deep rooted issues at the individual or the societal level are not addressed with one conversation or proclamation. Real change requires ongoing dialog, practice and action. There is much work to do.

Jack Salo
Executive Director

responseResponding to Community Needs
During the month of May, the Rural Health Network continued its commitment to serving the Southern Tier by securing funds for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment for our clients and food security partner organizations in Broome, Tioga, Delaware, Otsego, and Chenango Counties. Food and Health Network staff facilitated a bulk order of face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. This equipment was delivered to various food security organizations across the Southern Tier, including Binghamton Food Rescue, VINES, and CHOW, with an additional 15 organizations in Tioga, Otsego, and Chenango counties also receiving supplies. In total, over 14,000 masks were distributed, along with 42 boxes of gloves.

Community Health Workers in Broome, Tioga, and Delaware Counties have also begun distributing 300 Personal Protective Equipment kits to clients with chronic health conditions. These kits include masks, hand sanitizer, and dental care items for clients and their family members.

Community Health Worker Rose Peguero shared this comment from a client: We are really glad to see you after all this time. Rose also observed that smiles could be seen beyond the boundaries of masks in their eyes and their thank yous.

This project was made possible by grants from the United Way of Broome County COVID-19 Community Response Fund and the Community Foundation for South Central New York COVID-19 Fund and was supported by supplies from Wilson Dental. We would like to thank Resource Development Director Cindy Martin and Stephanie Woolever, a volunteer with the group Masking Broome County, for making cloth masks and for coordinating donations from other talented seamstresses to share with Network staff and clients.

get
The pandemic proved to be a challenge for all of us as individuals and organizations adjusted daily schedules and ways of work. Despite this, our Getthere staff have remained dedicated to serving the needs of our communities while staff adapted to working from home. 

Transportation to Employment Coordinator Katie Blaine provided an update on her work: While hearing someone tell me that they're able to keep their job long-term because of the assistance provided by Getthere's Transportation to Employment Program (TEP) isn't new, it feels especially sweet given the current economic climate. The program offers transportation assistance that gives participants the tools to help maintain a stable, sustainable job.

Many individuals that find themselves starting a new job are unable to initially afford the cost of transportation. For some, the excitement of a new job is quickly met with the reality that they will have to scramble to figure out transportation - or worse, they will never see the benefits of that new job because they are unable to get to it. 

The Transportation to Employment program helps to build a bridge between starting a new job and maintaining that job long-term by providing short-term financial assistance while working with each individual to develop a long-term transportation strategy that will help them achieve long-term success. Getthere helps individuals reach their goal of sustainable employment, which is a huge accomplishment that can help change that person's life and the life of their family, in turn building a stronger community.

Getthere Assistant Director Nick Cecconi added that Getthere has been transferring three months of transportation cases (>1,000) and client data into a new information platform, GSI Health Coordinator. Staff have participated in weekly calls with a statewide transportation group, led by NYS Association for Mobility Management, to discuss COVID-related matters, best practices, CARES Act funding, and issues that impact transportation.

To learn more about Getthere,  visit  www.gettherescny.org .
 
cares
While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some unique challenges, it has also presented the opportunity to consider the importance of what matters most! Our staff has witnessed this with several clients, but especially in the following story.

Each week we grocery shop for a 94 year old woman who prefers not to go out during the pandemic. She typically has a simple list with regular items each week. This past week, she asked for a frozen pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, the grocery store did not have them at this time of year, nor did they have
any in the bakery. When staff delivered her groceries, she met them at the door, and stated how much she was looking forward to the pie! We explained that there was no pie. The client, while visibly disappointed; assured us it was okay. She went on to explain that she had been thinking about when
her grandson used to visit (he has since moved and is unable to
pumpkin_pie_slice.jpg
visit as often) he always loved sharing pumpkin pie with her. She expres sed how much she enjoyed those visits and that she is no longer able to st and in the 
kitchen to make a pie. 
Two days later, someone showed up at her doorstep with a homemade pumpkin pie! Teary eyed, the woman offered to pay them for it. When she heard it was the baker's privilege, the woman thanked them profusely, smiled, and stated that she would "most certainly enjoy the pie".
We feel privileged to do the work we do, and believe we are making a difference by the little things we do each day!
Northern Broome CARES services are available to anyone age 60+ who resides in the towns of Lisle or Triangle (including the Village of Whitney Point). Please feel free to contact us at (607) 352-4681 or by email:  
Sandy Atwood - Program Coordinator
Mindy Alexander - Community Health Worker
culture
Rural Cultural Competence Expands 
to a Virtual Format

The  Rural Cultural Competence professional development training (RCC),  established by Rural Health Network and based on research on common rural characteristics and attributes, is a strategy to address the need for cultural sensitivity among clinical and community based health and human services providers serving rural populations. 
Slide from Virtual Training Presentation

The training was developed to be delivered in-person with groups of up to 100 people. However, in response to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, we have modified the training to be delivered virtually, over video-conferencing platforms. 

The first test of this new delivery system was on Thursday, June 4th, when 18 AmeriCorps and VISTA members from across the region tuned in and participated in the 2.5 hour training. The experience was a positive one and we were able to pinpoint some additional necessary modifications, which are in the process of being updated. 

The Rural Cultural Competence training includes the following goals: 
  • To provide an understanding of the common characteristics of rural individuals, families, and communities, and includes extensive discussion on social determinants of health and health disparities that impact rural individuals in unique ways
  • To enhance skills in providing services to, communicating with, and successfully meeting the needs of rural individuals, families, and communities
  • To make available resources for providers to measure, evaluate, and improve participants' own individuals, programmatic, and organizational rural cultural competence
We look forward to continuing to deliver the Rural Cultural Competence training virtually while we all work through the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. If your program would be interested in participating in a virtual training, email Mary Maruscak, Director of Community Health Education, for more information.

emmaMeasuring Rural Health Networks's Initial Pandemic Response
Over the past few months, Rural Health Network has significantly adapted services to keep people safe and alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This "emergency response phase" provided an opportunity to measure both our direct services delivered and our role in a coordinated regional response. This infographic offers some examples of RHN's targeted outreach, innovative service delivery, community presence, and flexibility across programs. As the pandemic continues, RHN is adding new areas of focus to our response: addressing social isolation, preparing for ongoing economic hardship, and identifying opportunities to rebuild.



If you have other examples of measuring impact during the pandemic or would like to share thoughts on this topic, please contact Emma Nalin, Project Coordinator.
staffStaff Update - How We Spent Quarantine Time
We recently asked our staff to share how they have been spending their time outside of work during the pandemic and would like to share some of their responses. Some have continued or rediscovered hobbies, some are enjoying time with their family or pets and others have been finding time to bake.

AmeriCorps VISTA member Jackie Bogart said, I have rediscovered my fondness for coloring!!! I purchased a couple of inexpensive adult coloring books and some gel pens.  Not only do I simply enjoy coloring, but I have found it to be relaxing. A very effective way to unwind when needed. It is also something my 9 yr old son and I can do together. Just us and the coloring books. It provides opportunity for certain conversations that may not happen otherwise.  We will surely continue to color once we have found our 'new normal'.

Resource Development Director Cindy Martin made a lot of masks to share with family, friends, co-workers and a local organization. She is using scraps from the masks for a series of quilt blocks that will eventually become a wall hanging or lap quilt.




Julie Pitts, Rural Health Service Corps Director shared: My dog Dempsey is so happy that he can hang out with me all day, especially when I can work outside!
Katie McDonald Blaine, Transportation to Employment Coordinator shared: My husband and I have done a number of video challenges with my nieces and nephews, such as stuffed animal hang gliding and dance offs.


Jack Salo said: Our farm has been and continues to be an important foundation for my well-being at all levels. This was true before COVID and is even more important now.  There is something about physical work that settles the body, spirit and mind.  Participating in the natural world with both domestic and wild plants and animals, weather and seasons helps to give meaning to my life.

Sharing the work and care of the non-human life we are responsible for deepens the bonds of family. Having a beautiful place, alive with life and diversity to share with family and friends is something I am thankful for.  We cannot own "land" but are simply caretakers for the short time we are on the earth - I am thankful that I have this opportunity to care for our small piece of the planet.

Haley's traditional braided 
yeast bread


Several staff reported joining the many people rediscovering the joys of baking.  Community Health Services Director Mary Maruscak has been perfecting sourdough bread and RHSC Assistant Director Haley Desilet has also been baking lots of bread, experimenting with different ways of getting it to rise. 

Mobility and Transportation Advocate Kara Fisher said:  I have definitely been on the quarantine baking bandwagon! I have always enjoyed baking and cooking, but these past few months I've been doing a lot more. My favorite recipe I've tried are flour-less double chocolate chip cookies. They're a cross between a brownie and a cookie are really decadent and delicious. To offset the extra baking, I've been trying to be more active. I've been working on running more and trying different workouts.

rhsc
Rural Health Service Corps 
This month, RHSC welcomes Bella Nelkin-Paperno and Bianca Summerville, who began their term at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier on June 1st. In current times, there has been a dramatic increase in individuals and families with food security concerns, and Bella and Bianca will be assisting with coordinating food deliveries for clients in need. We're thrilled to have them both join our ranks! If you, or someone you know, is looking to make a difference in your community, AmeriCorps is a great option, and we still have a few openings for the current term. We will also begin enrolling members for the 2020-2021 term in the fall. For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

For questions, contact us by email: 

Julie Pitts - Director
Haley Desilet - Assistant Director    


AmeriCorps logo

censusIt's Not Too Late - Respond to the 2020 Census



 
infoNews You Can Use
American Heart Association - Don't Die of Doubt
The American Heart Association reminds us that hospitals are still the safest place to be when medical emergencies strike. Read more about heart attack and stroke symptoms. 

The Memory Maker Radio Hour
This series of radio broadcasts was developed for people living with memory loss and their loved ones. The old-time radio show clips, classic music, banter, and interactive questions are a delightful listen for anyone. Tune in live at 2 PM on Fridays in June at WBDY Bundy Radio, 99.5 FM or listen to episodes online .

Tobacco Cessation Resources
The Central New York Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph's Health provided resources to help you quit smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products. 

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
Thanks to our friends at the Erie Niagara AHEC for sharing this resource from the National Headache Foundation. 

NY's Outdoors Are Open
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging  people to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, swim, ride a bicycle, fish, hunt, go horseback riding, go boating, or visit a park or state lands is a healthy way to stay active, spend time with immediate household and family members, and reduce stress and anxiety when practicing social distancing. Read more about safe outdoor recreation.

Heat Related Illnesses
Summer officially begins in just a few days. The CDC has provided t hese tips on identifying and responding to heat-related illnesses. 
 


To support our work at Rural Health Network,  please visit our donation page.   

Please take a moment to learn more  about our work and the impact we're making in south central New York. 
Advancing the health and well-being of rural people and communities.