Image Description: Finger Lakes Independence Center--FLIC--Logo: The letters: F-L-I-C and the letter I looks like an open door. Finger Lakes Independence Center Opening Doors to Independence

Image Description: Graduated background from dark blut to forest green. Blurred white and clear circles that resemble falling snow. In white letters, it says, "Happy Holidays & a joyful New Year."

Image Description: Photo of Zoom screen of second panel session; five mental health providers zooming from their homes or offices can be seen in the photo.

The 29th Annual Mental Health Conference for 2023 focused on the unique needs of the women+ community; cis women, trans women, femme and those assigned female at birth. The day featured four sessions with panelists and closed with the famous Book Talk from Tompkins County Public Library. The all-day conference opened with a panel of women+ sharing their experiences and stories. This was followed by a panel of mental health providers sharing their experiences, a panel of providers discussing the intersection of mental and physical health, and a panel of experts highlighting the effects of gender socialization on mental health. The library spotlighted several excellent books and shared a book list for reading more on this important topic.

The steering committee for the Mental Health Conference consists of Teressa Sivers, Finger Lakes Independence Center (convener); Libby Demarest, Family and Children Services; Melanie Little, Mental Health Association of Tompkins County; Larry Roberts, Tompkins County Mental Health Subcommittee and FLIC Board; Caryn Bullis, Tompkins County Office for the Aging; and Tiffany Bloss, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services.

A recording of the panel sessions and Book Talk can be found on the FLIC website at: https://fliconline.org/FLIC/28th-annual-mental-health-conference/

Thank you to all the steering committee, the wonderful panelists, the Tompkins County Public LIbrary, and the Tompkins County Communications Department.

After review of our submission, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has awarded a contract to FLIC for Core Rehabilitation Services (CRS). The Core Rehabilitation Services FLIC will be providing in 2024 are geared towards assisting students in high school to gain a variety of pre-employment skills, as well as assisting people of any age with finding, getting, and keeping employment. Other services, such as benefits advisement, which is important to many disabled people who are looking for a job, can be provided by our certified benefits advisor. These services are through referral from Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES VR), and we can also help with paperwork for eligibility with ACCES VR. We are excited to continue this partnership with ACCES, along with our other employment services, to assist disabled individuals prepare to enter jobs and contribute their talents in all types of employment. 

Image Description: (above right) Logo for New York State Education Department--Black square with outline of New York State in blue superimposed over it. White lettering reads, "NYSED.gov."

Image Description: Blue background with white lettering which reads, "International Day of Persons with Disabilities." Above the words is a clipart depiction of a diversity of people, some with visibile disabilities.

Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations (UN) has outlined and reiterated its commitment to calling for the creation of inclusive, accessible and sustainable societies and communities – most notably with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Over time, the UN has honed its focus on promoting the well-being and welfare of people living with disabilities, and in 1992 called for an international day of celebration for people living with disabilities to be held on December 3 each year.

International Day of People with Disabilities is not owned by the UN – it is owned by everyone: people, organisations, agencies, charities, places of learning – all of whom have a vital role to play in identifying and addressing discrimination, marginalization, exclusion and inaccessibility that many people living with disabilities face. International Day of People with Disabilities is one day on the international calendar, yet it symbolizes the actions we should take every day, in order to create diverse and accepting communities.

Learn more by visiting: https://idpwd.org/

Image Description: Top banner of dark blue with words in white lettering: Health Foundation for Western and Central New York. Below the banner is a photograph of an older adult woman with short, dark wavy hair and glasses, with her arm around the shoulder of and smiling at a young adult black woman with curly dark hair pulled up on top of her head. She is smiling back at the older adult woman.

New York State's Master Plan for Aging

Did you know that Saturday, November 4, was the one-year anniversary of

Executive Order No. 23, establishing New York State’s Master Plan for Aging?

It's Time to Make Your Voice Heard!

Are you a New York State resident who happens to be an older adult, an individual with a disability, or a caregiver? If so, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) and Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) are asking for your input to help shape the priorities for the state's Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Survey results will help state agencies better serve the needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers.

By completing the survey, you’ll be using your voice to influence key decisions around vital concerns, such as:

• identifying regional housing challenges
• setting priorities for infrastructure and service improvements
• understanding how older adults use their limited income
• evaluating the impact of various services
• knowing how to support the unique needs of caregivers

Take the Survey! Follow this link: https://forms.ny.gov/s3/mpasurvey?mc_cid=dcba196d4c&mc_eid=acaff35a16

Thank ypu for contributing your voice to the conversation!

Image Description: All information on the poster above is shared in the article below.

Guaranteed Income Works National Tour screening of the documentary, "It's Basic" will be held Tuesday, December 12 at 6:00 pm at Cinemapolis (120 East Green Street in Ithaca) and hosted by Ithaca's Mayor Laura Lewis. This compelling film features families from across the country who have participated in Mayors for Guaranteed Income pilot program. It sheds light on the transformative impact of the no-strings-attached monthly cash payments on their lives.

Ithaca Guaranteed Income is one of the many pilots funded by Mayors for Guaranteed Income. We invite you to hear the inspiring stories of our Ithaca Guaranteed Income recipients in a post-screening discussion. By educating the broader community about the life-changing potential of guaranteed income, we can galvanize greater support for this critical movement.

Please RSVP by Monday, December 11 by clicking this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-basic-premiere-in-ithaca-hosted-by-mayor-laura-lewis-tickets-754090754747?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image Description: In blue letters, it reads, "Safety and Incident Real-Time Emergency Notifications (SIREN). To the left of the heading is the logo for Tompkins County SIREN; A clipart image of a red alert light with golden wings.

Emergency preparedness, including emergency alerting can help safeguard you through challenging times, particularly if you have access and functional needs. Receiving advance warnings for severe weather, timely emergency alerts, and information during a disaster, are critical to your safety during an emergency. It can also quickly give you lifesaving information. This is important because emergency alerts and information enhance your ability to respond during an emergency. Planning and being proactive rather than reactive is the key to being ready for any emergency. By signing up to receive emergency alerts, you can stay one safe step ahead.    

In Tompkins County we are fortunate to have Siren - Safety Incident Real Time Emergency Notifications. SIREN is an emergency alert and notification system provided at no direct cost to the public. The information and alerts provided by SIREN are via text messaging. Message and data rates may apply depending on your provider or phone service. When you sign up you can choose what type of information you want to receive, for what area of the county, and any individual needs you may have. SIREN is used to send alerts to every person who has signed up, supplying you with critical information during emergencies. Emergency alerts are sent 24/7 when there is an immediate threat to life or property. 

Signing up for SIREN is easy, just go to www.tompkinscountyny.gov/siren and register your contact information.

If you do not have a computer, you can:

• Text SIREN to 677283 from a mobile phone.
• Visit your local library to sign up online for SIREN.
• Call 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) and someone from our local hotline will assist you.
• Call the Finger Lakes Independence Center (607-272-2433) and ask about getting assistance with signing up for SIREN.
• Contact your local city, town, or village official.

In addition to emergency alerts, you can choose to receive additional notifications about severe weather, safety, and health. The information you provide is exempt from public disclosure and will be used for emergency purposes only. Signing up is voluntary, so remember – it could make a big difference to your personal safety in an emergency.

The Finger Lakes Independence Center administers the Registry Referral Program. This is a free referral service linking individuals seeking independent employment to people who need care in their home. Opportunities include: elder companion, housekeeper, run errands, cook, personal care aide, home care aide, LPN, RN. People looking for help can call and receive names of people willing to provide those services. If you either need assistance or if you would be interested in listing your name as a caregiver, pease call FLIC at 272-2433 or email: info@fliconline.org. If you have experience caring for a friend or loved one, please consider sharing your compassion with others. This program is made possible through funding from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. 

ARISE Adaptive Design (ADD) is a grassroots, co-creation community, designing and building tools for inclusion, access and independence. The ADD program uses highly customizable building techniques along with low-cost everyday building materials to create practical solutions that are unique to the device user. These adaptive devices are typically built from the ground up to a participant's specific measurements, needs, interests and abilities. Adaptive devices allow those with varying abilities to flourish in all areas of life, whether it be social, educational, vocational or recreational. To learn more, visit their website at: https://www.ariseinc.org/news/aad-cayuga/

Image Description right: Photo of child sitting in ARISE Adaptive Design rocking chair painted purple with white geometric designs, gray background. In black at top of image is reads, "ARISE Adaptive Design" with black clipart gears along the bottom.

Image Description Above: Photo of ARISE Adaptive Design workshop, white tables with orange chairs, individuals wearing facemasks working at various tables using industrial cardboard. Walls of the room have shelves filled with materials and labeled boxes.

Image Description: White background with "2024" in the center of the image in rainbow colors. In black lettering at the top is reads, "Happy New Year."