Advancing the health and well-being of rural people and communities | |
Rural Matters September 2023 | |
25 Years is Something to Celebrate | |
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Founded in 1998, Rural Health Network celebrates twenty-five years of service this year. In reflecting on the origins of Rural Health Network as well as what has changed, and what remains the same, Interim Executive Director Jack Salo provided some thoughts and observations.
Read the full article
As we mark twenty-five years of service to South Central New York State, we celebrate the progress that has been made, and recommit to working together to address the continuing disparities and challenges facing our rural communities and people. This milestone is a tribute to the many organizations, supporters and individuals that have made it possible for Rural Health Network of South Central New York to serve our part of rural New York State.
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Join us for our 25th Anniversary Celebration | |
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Please join us in celebration and support of our programs and services by purchasing a ticket to "Mash it Up on a Monday". Details, information about Diane Brown's background and Keynote topic, and acknowledgement of our event sponsors can all be found at our website.
Tickets are $45 per person. Proceeds will support our mission and areas of focus: improving access to health services, education, food, transportation, well-being, and advocacy.
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Executive Director Search Continues | |
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The Rural Health Network continues to seek Executive Director applicants. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors and has responsibility for the administration and management of Rural Health Network.
Applicants are encouraged to review our 2022 Impact Report which includes program information, the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, Values, and DEI Statements. Click here click here to review the updated position description. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] . The application deadline is October 20, 2023 or until the position is filled.
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Upcoming Community Health Workshops | |
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We have three health education workshop series beginning soon. Click on the title for each topic to download the flyer and view registration details. Please share with anyone you know who may be interested.
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Wednesday and Thursday, September 27 & 28, 12-4 PM
Sidney Memorial Public Library, Sidney
Living Healthy Self Management Program
Tuesdays, October 10 - November 14th, 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Tioga Opportunities, Owego
Living Healthy Self Management Program
Tuesdays, October 10 - November 14th, 12:30 - 3:00 PM
Northern Broome Senior Center, Whitney Point
Pre-registration is required for these workshops.
Adult Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program which empowers the whole community to play a role in supporting people with mental health concerns. Mental Health First Aiders learn the skills to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training is ideal for professionals, such as hospital staff and teachers, as well as faith leaders, employers, and caring community members.
Living Healthy is a 7-week workshop series for people living with chronic disease and/or their caregivers. Certified peer leaders guide participants to build skills to improve quality of life, including healthy eating, problem-solving, decision-making, and more. With an internationally recognized evidence base behind it, Living Healthy is proven to improve symptoms and overall quality of life for people living with chronic disease.
Visit our website for more information about health education and workforce development trainings.
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"I am Alexis Sankofa, the new AmeriCorps Rural Health Service Corps Program Coordinator. Among other
responsibilities, this means I will have the opportunity to support current VISTA members and recruit new ones! When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my daughter and my cats. I also like cooking, writing, yoga and collecting more books than I actually have time to read.
For many years, as someone who was born and raised in Broome County, I hoped to move far away. Now I cannot imagine leaving this beautiful place and I deeply value connection with the people around me. With that being said, I am very much looking forward to getting to know the Rural Health Network, its people and growing into my new role."
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AmeriCorps VISTA Position Available in Ithaca | |
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Interested in health equity? REACH Medical has a VISTA position available in Ithaca, NY, which would involve developing their Syringe Service Program (SSP) and other health equity expansion projects. The REACH VISTA member will work with REACH staff to develop data entry and reporting methods, implement compliance measures, and administer internal evaluation methods to ensure program success and compliance in accordance with the Department of Health AIDS Institute.
VISTA members serve 35 hours/week for one year and receive a living allowance, education award (to pay off student loans or tuition), and free health coverage. Members are also eligible for a child care subsidy and college loan forbearance. Additionally, after a year of service, members gain Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE); this special hiring status enables you to apply for federal jobs with the advantage of not having to go through the standard public competitive selection process. That means that you can be appointed to federal positions that may not be available to the general public, and your application could be processed faster than others!
For more information about this VISTA position and the others we have available, please visit our website.
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Last month, WICZ Fox 40 shared a story about the pilot Farm to Library program. The Farm to Library initiative welcomes members of the community to find locally grown produce free of charge at a cooler next to the main desk. People are also encouraged to donate fresh products from their own garden if they have a surplus. We were pleased to have a part in this collaboration with the Broome County Public Library. The initiative includes local farmers, the Broome County Department of Health Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program, and our Food & Health and public health AmeriCorps programs. | |
Welcome Public Health AmeriCorps Members | |
Two new Public Health AmeriCorps members have joined our Farm to School team. | |
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Hello! My name is Brooke Traver, and I was born and raised in Vestal, NY. I am a public health graduate student in my final year at Binghamton University. Additionally, I have an associate's degree in health science from SUNY Broome and a bachelor's in biology from Binghamton University. I enjoy playing golf, practicing yoga and pilates, and spending quality time with my friends and family in my free time.
I decided to join the Farm-to-School Food and Health Network program because I admire its mission of serving healthy meals, enhancing child nutrition, offering chances for agricultural education, and assisting children in developing a positive relationship with food. I've worked with kids for seven years, and I'm excited to use that knowledge to assist kids in understanding the value of nutritious, high-quality, local food that can fuel their bodies.
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My name is Ryan Ewanow, and I am one of the new Public Health AmeriCorps Members, serving with the Farm to School Program. I grew up in Conklin, NY and graduated from Susquehanna Valley High School in 2019. In May of 2023 I graduated from Colgate University with a BA in biology and a minor in geography. In school I always had a passion for science, but outside of class my passion has always been sports, particularly basketball. I chose to serve with AmeriCorps because I thought it would be a great opportunity to give back to the local community, and to do so in a way that aligns with my interests in sustainability and public health.
I’m excited to have the opportunity to teach young kids about the benefits of eating healthy, locally grown food, and how that generates benefits for our communities, our local economy, and our planet. I think it's an important intersection between personal health, public health, and building sustainable communities and I am excited to be a part of it.
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Earlier this week, the entire Food & Health Network team visited Russell Farms, a partner for both Farm to School and Produce Prescription projects.
Pictured L to R: Erin Summerlee, Food & Health Network Director; Brooke Traver, Public Health AmeriCorps member; Kevin Davidson, Farm to Early Care & Education Coordinator; Ryan Ewanow, Public Health AmeriCorps member; B McGuire, Public Health AmeriCorps member; Kate Miller-Corcoran, Food as Medicine Coordinator; Caterina Marchione, AmeriCorps VISTA member; and Hannah Rion, Farm to School Coordinator II.
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On August 18th, the Northern Broome Senior Center celebrated Grandparents Day, with over 20 grandparents and many more grandchildren attending. Northern Broome CARES staff set up a "slime making" station, offering a fun activity for the kids to do while staff chatted with the grandparents about the program. The table was a hit, with many kids asking to make more than one slime, and even having their grandparents join in. Program Coordinator Megan Arenas-Cardoso said, "We wanted to do a fun activity that would keep the kids engaged while we had a conversation with their grandparents that brought them. Seeing the kids' faces light up when their slime was complete really made my day."
Pictured below from left to right: Northern Broome CARES Program Coordinator Megan Arenas-Cardoso, Northern Broome Senior Center Site Supervisor Heather Bush, and Northern Broome CARES Community Health Worker Karli McGrath
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Northern Broome CARES continues to partner with Binghamton University's School of Social Work to provide field experience for MSW students who gain practical skills addressing the needs of adults 60+ living in northern Broome County. We are delighted to welcome Charlotte Russell and Jessica Nicholas. | |
Charlotte Russell is from Riverhead, NY. This past May she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and public health from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. She is beginning her masters in social work this year at Binghamton University. Charlotte is extremely enthusiastic about beginning her social work journey with us and learning more about the aging adult population. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her dogs and reading. | | |
Jessica Nicholas grew up in the small town of Hamilton, NY. She graduated in May of 2023 with her Bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in media studies from SUNY Oneonta. She is currently studying social work at Binghamton University. Jessica is looking forward to interacting with folks around Whitney Point and at the senior center. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys cooking and attending live music concerts. | | |
Getthere Staff Have Been Out and About | |
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Getthere staff attended various events in the past few months promoting and discussing transportation assistance. Travel Training Coordinator Julie Feheley and former Assistant Director Maegan Berliner attended events for seniors in Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties.
This month, Maggie McGoff, Mobility Transportation Advocate/Admin, attended the Senior Resource Fair in Oneonta and Stan Varghese, Transportation to Employment Associate, participated in a panel discussion about transportation at The Art Garage in Cooperstown.
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Stan Varghese, Getthere Transportation to Employment Associate, Anthony Marris-Swann, Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, and David Strogatz, Bassett Research Institute | |
Representing Rural Health Network at the
NYSARH Symposium
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Several members of our team attended the New York State Association of Rural Health Symposium earlier this month. The event, held in Oswego, NY, was open to both members and non-members and featured special guest Greg Olsen, NYS Office for Aging, and Keynote Speaker Dwain Harris, National AHEC. Workshops included Organizational Culture and Leadership, Food Security and Nutrition as Medicine, and Creating an Age-Friendly Rural NY. | |
Pictured L to R: Jack Salo, Interim Executive Director; Erin Summerlee, Food and Health Network Director; and Vandya Kamagere, Public Health AmeriCorps member. | |
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Panelists for the Food Security and Nutrition as Medicine session. Pictured L to R: Baz Perry, FIG Lab, Division of Nutrition Sciences, Cornell University; Kate Downes, Seven Valleys Health Coalition; and Erin Summerlee, Rural Health Network's Food and Health Network.
Learn more about upcoming webinars cosponsored by the New York State Association of Rural Health and the New England Rural Health Association.
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In the last state budget, New York invested nearly $135 million to expand the Community Eligibility Provision to enable additional schools to serve free school meals to all students. Even with this expansion, an estimated 1,000 schools in New York will be left behind - especially in communities that are rural, have stark income inequality, or low participation in programs like SNAP and Medicaid.
New York has made a great step forward, but we must do more. Co-leads of the Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids Campaign highlight New York’s progress and call on our leaders in Albany to fund Healthy School Meals for All in New York. Read the full editorial on Pear in Mind, the Center for Science in the Public Interest blog.
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News, Articles of Interest, and Resources | |
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Ageism Awareness Day - October 7th
The American Society on Aging Ageism & Culture Advisory Council has compiled a fact sheet on ageism, one of the most widespread and socially accepted forms of prejudice. More resources for Ageism Awareness Day.
"The Long Shadow of Covid"
In his latest blog post, NYHealth President and CEO David Sandman highlights the challenges of Long COVID and some of the innovative work happening in New York State to mitigate its impact.
The Rural Impact Podcast Series
This podcast series connects the dots between policy and rural everything. Hear from the problem solvers, advocates, storytellers, and policy pros, who help sort out the complexity of critically important issues and dial into the details that listeners will appreciate learning and understanding. Learn more about series One and Two and the planned future topics.
Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group partners with WealthWorks
In partnership with the WealthWorks hubs and other national partners, Aspen CSG is proud to showcase the redesigned and updated WealthWorks website. Check out the Aspen CSG blog highlighting how WealthWorks and the Thrive Rural Framework work together for a more prosperous rural future
National Rural Health Day - Save the Date
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)! NRHD is an opportunity to celebrate the #PowerOfRural and bring attention to the incredible efforts of those dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural America. Learn more.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Releases Musical Messages
"We're Safety Now Haven't We, Volume 1" is aimed to address the products and hazards that are especially prevalent among people ages 13-24 based on its injury data — including bikes, ATVs, fireworks, cooking appliances and phones. Read about the album on NPR or listen to all seven tracks on YouTube.
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