The Next 25 Years - Thoughts for the Future

Coming together to celebrate the 25th birthday of the Rural Health Network of South Central New York this past Monday, October 16th was a warm and moving experience for me and many others. Several founding Board Members commented on their confidence that the Rural Health Network will continue to make a positive impact on rural health over the next 25 years and beyond. I share that optimism. Having had an active working relationship with Rural Health Network every year since 2005, I would like to offer the following thoughts on the future:

1. Continue to refer to the mission to determine where resources should be directed. Rural Health Network of SCNY and other Rural Health Networks in our region are the only organizations I know of with stated missions to serve rural people and communities.
2. The work has only just begun. While we need to celebrate the positive impact and changes we are making, understanding the challenge or need at hand and responding accordingly should be the impetus of our work.
3. Guard against complacency. As Rural Health Network enters the adult and middle years of organizational life how can the innovation and energy of earlier years that resulted in today’s current service profile be sustained? Understanding that current programs are having a positive impact but also require continued assessment, development and adjustment to best meet unmet and/or emerging needs and opportunities is essential.  

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I wish the Board, Staff, Volunteers and Rural Health Network’s community of partners all the best as you move into your next quarter century of work. In my career in rural health and human service, I have often returned to a mantra of the Civil Rights Movement: “Keep your eye on the prize.” The work we do is important and the prize we need to keep our eye on is a healthy, rural South Central New York.

-Jack Salo

Interim Executive Director

25th Anniversary Celebration Highlights

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our 25th Anniversary earlier this week. We are grateful to our sponsors for their support, for board and staff members who provided raffle baskets, and to all those who attended.

Board President Rick Boland said, "I had the honor of recognizing the founding board members of Rural Health Network of SCNY at the 25th anniversary celebration. While I have known many of the founding members for some time, it was great to meet the few I hadn't previously had the opportunity to connect with.

Seeing so many current and former board and staff members come together to celebrate such a milestone was fantastic! Here's to 25 more years of advancing the health and well-being of our rural population!"

Pictured clockwise from the top left:

Mashed Potato toppings - the Binghamton DoubleTree staff made an effort to shop locally for many of the ingredients used.

Friday at Fred's provided entertainment during the cocktail hour.

Rick Boland pictured with the founding board members who were able to attend: Wayne Mitteer, Diane Albrecht, Kay Boland, Sandi Sanzo, and Shawn Yetter.

Rick Boland (center) talking with Patrick Doyle (left) and Keynote Speaker Diane L. Brown (right).

Three Rural Health Network Executive Directors: Mark Bordeau, Jack Salo, and DeeDee Camp.

We will share more event photos in the near future.

We're Hiring - Assistant Director, Getthere

Getthere, a program of the Rural Health Network, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director to perform high-level professional work involving the administration and management of a nationally-recognized regional mobility project. This is a supervisory position under direction of the Program Director. Candidates must be highly capable, self-driven, and demonstrate the ability to achieve programming goals on deadline. Apply here.

Visit our Employment Opportunities page for the full position description.

Community Health Updates

The Community Health team is always proud to represent Rural Health Network and the voices of rural people in the community. Below are just a few highlights from the many accomplishments of our team over the past couple of months.  

In August, Stacy Sbarra, our Coordinator of Community Health Services, was invited to serve as a panelist on Care Compass Network's community convening event. Stacy represented the work of our Community Health Workers beautifully along with colleagues from Gerould's Healthcare, Seven Valleys Health Coalition, and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. Stacy is pictured second from the right. 

In September, Wendy Hitchcock, our Coordinator of Community Health Education, was invited to present at UHS's annual Health and Wellness Teaching Day. Wendy discussed the value of evidence-based health education to the sustainability of community-wide health and wellness, and then tabled at the event with our Public Health AmeriCorps member, Alex Buncy.

Earlier this month, 2 members of the CH team (Megan Arenas-Cardoso, Coordinator of Northern Broome CARES and Vandya Kamagere, Public Health AmeriCorps member) along with Getthere's Travel Training Coordinator Julie Feheley, completed 32 hours of in-person training toward certification as Peer Leaders for the evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. This training is supported by our Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program grant through the Administration for Community Living and we were joined by community partners from Gerould's Healthcare, The Institute for Human Services/Steuben Rural Health Network, and Tioga Opportunities. 

AmeriCorps VISTA Position Available with NYSARH

Our partners at NYSARH (New York State Association for Rural Health) are looking for a “Communication and Developmental Specialist” AmeriCorps VISTA member. This member will focus on expanding the reach and impact of NYSARH communication (using social media, etc.) with a goal of also increasing revenue generated by the organization.

This full-time (35 hours/week) position will run from December 2023 to December 2024. Along with the opportunity to explore the Public Health field on a local level, AmeriCorps VISTA members also receive a living allowance, an education award, health coverage, a child care subsidy (if applicable), college loan forbearance and a relocation benefit (if applicable).

For more information about this position or other AmeriCorps positions available with Rural Health Service Corps, please visit our website or email Haley Desilet or Alexis Sankofa.

October is National Farm to School Month

Food and Health Network’s Farm to School team is happy to celebrate National Farm to School Month all October long! Over the past year, our work with the SCNY School Garden Grant, student taste tests, NY Thursdays, the development of a local tomato sauce, and so much more has helped us increase access to fresh local ingredients for students and communities across the region.

So far this school year our team has already led 3 taste tests with students and visited schools to celebrate 5 NY Thursday meals. We are gearing up for a busy fall with planned activities with at least 2 past garden grantees. The team is eager to celebrate all that encompasses Farm to School throughout the month of October and beyond!

Visit National Farm to School Network's website or take a look at their Celebration Toolkit & Resources to find out how you can celebrate!

We would not be able to do any of this impactful programming without the support of our partners. We are extremely grateful for the school districts, community partners, funders, and local food producers for their involvement in the program.

Be sure to check out the October Broome-Tioga BOCES Farm to School newsletter. This is made possible through our partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County and Broome-Tioga BOCES.

This Fall, Program Coordinator Megan Arenas-Cardoso and Community Health Worker Karli Jeavons are building new skills to share with the people of Northern Broome. Megan completed peer leader training for Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, known at Rural Health Network as the Living Healthy

workshop series. Megan is already beginning her first series as co-leader, which will run for six weeks at the Northern Broome Senior Center in Whitney Point.

Megan said, “I am excited to use my new training to deliver this wonderful evidence-based program. I have gone through the program as a participant and it was truly life changing. I hope by being a peer leader, I can provide people with the tools they need to lead a better life.”

Karli is also picking up a new certification. Through a partnership between Care Compass Network and OCM-BOCES, community health workers across the region had the opportunity to participate in a seven-week Patient Advocacy training program. As a Patient Advocate, Karli will learn strategies to help people overcome common challenges they might encounter in the healthcare system. We are thrilled to bring back new knowledge and skills to benefit the people we serve.

Photo Caption: Karli Jeavons and Megan Arenas-Cardoso practice healthy living by taking a walk in Otsiningo Park.

Getthere Staff Have Been Out and About

Getthere staff attended events in the past month such as the Tioga Downs Health Fair in Nichols, NY and a mobile pantry in Apalachin, NY discussing the program with Tioga County residents.

Call Center hours are 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday - Friday

1-855-373-4040

The Getthere call center provides FREE trip planning, transportation education and referral services. Mobility and Transportation Advocates assist residents in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga Counties.

Lourdes Community Health Needs Survey

Lourdes is partnering with Rural Health Network to conduct a community health needs survey. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and your responses will be kept confidential. We are seeking rural respondents from Broome, Tioga, and Delaware counties.

News, Articles of Interest, and Resources

Webinar - Field Based Rural Placemaking: What Works Fast, Now, and on a Shoestring

Join a ROAD session webinar hosted by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) in collaboration with Aspen CSG, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Rural LISC, the International Economic Development Council, and the Federal Reserve Board. Thursday, November 2, 2 PM - 3:30 PM ET. Information and Registration.

Webinar - Addressing Health Challenges and Opportunities in Rural NY

NYHealth is hosting a webinar on the needs that rural New Yorkers face, as well as opportunities to promote healthy communities. Tuesday, October 24, 1 PM - 2 PM. Information and Registration.

Exploring Rural Health Podcast - Rural Housing

Check out the latest episode with a discussion about housing in rural communities. Features David Lipsetz, President and CEO of the Housing Assistance Council, discussing the obstacles often faced by rural residents in need of housing, and the programs and organizations working to help them.

NYHealth Brief - Healthy Food Systems Planning in New York: A Landscape Analysis of Local Municipalities

Local food system plans have the potential to reduce food insecurity, improve nutrition, buoy local economies, and bolster community engagement. Food systems planning is a collaborative process among community-based organizations, government officials, health systems, producers, businesses, and citizens to develop and implement policies that shape how local and regional food systems operate. This issue brief summarizes key findings and offers recommendations to increase investment in local food systems. 

National Rural Health Day - The Power of Rural in Action

On November 16, 2023, join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, and rural health stakeholders across the country in celebration of National Rural Health Day (NRHD)! A live webinar: The Power of Rural in Action: CDC and State Strategies for Rural Health will be held from 3 PM - 4 PM ET. Information and Registration.

Congratulations to local Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows

Rural Health Network congratulates Ray Pucci, Delaware County Chamber President, and Rev. Dr. Joe Sellepack, Executive Director of Broome County Council of Churches for their selection in the Apalachian Leadership Institute class of 2023-2024. Over the next nine months, they will participate in sessions focused on skill-building with regional experts, peer-to-peer learning, and case study analysis. They will then join a robust alumni network, allowing them to continue connecting with, and learning from, other leaders across Appalachia.

If you were unable to attend our 25th Anniversary Celebration, consider making a gift to honor our 25 years of advancing the health and well-being of rural people and communities. Your gift will support our programs and services.