Welcome to the First Issue of  Growing Health.

Welcome to this first issue of Growing Health, the quarterly e-newsletter of the Rural Health Network of South Central New York. Growing Health will provide you with compelling, interesting and helpful information about our work to improve health in rural Broome, Delaware and Tioga Counties.

Each issue of Growing Health will feature articles from our three primary areas of activity: 

1. Health Education: Programs and services that improve health through education and positive behavior changes.
2. Closing the Gap and reducing barriers to needed health services for rural people, especially the uninsured.
3. Innovation: Working with rural communities and across sectors to establish holistic and creative approaches to improving health and wellness.

We hope you find this first issue of Growing Health interesting and informative.  The Rural Health Network of South Central New York celebrates a ten year anniversary in 2008.  As we look to the future we are excited about working closely with the many partners, rural residents and stakeholders who are working to improve health through education, access to important health services and innovation.

Rural Health Service Corps.

The Rural Health Service Corps (RHSC) was initiated by the Rural Health Network of SCNY in late 2005. RHSC is an AmeriCorps National Service Program.  The mission of the program is to provide a national service opportunity for young adults that promotes and improves the health of rural residents.   

The 2007 Rural Health Service Corps (RHSC) members ended their year of AmeriCorps service with a celebration and reception at the Broome County Council of Churches on December 7, 2007.  These dynamic young people worked on projects and programs in areas ranging from rural transportation to prescription assistance and support for rural primary care practices.  Clearly, tapping the assets of youthful energy, passion and learning benefits our rural residents and communities.  This year’s group was comprised of the following members and service assignments: 

• Anne Bollinger, Special Projects Associate, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, 300 hours of service.
• Lindsay Bilodeau, Program Assistant, Central N.Y. Area Health Education Center (CNY AHEC), 715 hours of service.
• Jessica Duncan, Primary Care Program Specialist, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, 1700 hours of service.
• Drew Hanessian, Community Development Associate, Village of Deposit, 900 hours of service.
• Hadassah Head, Rural Health Associate, Northern Tioga Family Care Center (United Health Services), 900 hours of service.
• Samantha Schatz, Healthier Lifestyle Mentor Project Coordinator, Broome County Council of Churches, 900 hours of service.
• Erin Signor, Health Promotion Associate, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, 1700 hours of service.
• Ben Raindorf, Transportation Project Coordinator, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, 900 hours of service.
• Angela Wiiki, Rural Health Associate, Lourdes Northern Tioga Center for Family Health, 900 hours of service.

For more information on the 2008 Rural Health Service Corps Program contact the Rural Health Network of SCNY at 607.692.7669, or visit our website at http://www.ruralhealthnetwork.org/AmeriCorps/default.asp

Simply Health gets a Healthy Start!

Simply Health, a nine-week wellness program offered by the Rural Health Network of South Central New York, is nearing the end of a very successful pilot phase. Funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the New York State Office of Rural Health and local partners made it possible to hold 13 group classes in Tioga and Delaware counties, reaching over 300 rural residents.

Simply Health takes a holistic approach to wellness. Understanding that good nutrition, the right amount of physical activity and emotional well-being all play an important role in total health is one of the first things participants learn.

The Rural Health Network of South Central New York is available to help your organization or  business achieve a healthier bottom line with the Simply Health program. Call us today for more information at 607.692.7669.

The Rural Health Network SCNY welcomes Dani Berchtold

Danielle Berchtold joined the Rural Health Network of South Central New York in November 2007 as Director of Health Care Access. In her role at the Rural Health Network, she assists individuals without health insurance in navigating the healthcare system and accessing the resources they need.

"The system can be overwhelming, so we try to make it as non-threatening and straight forward as possible,” says Danielle. “It’s an important role that we play and I am pleased that I can help.

Danielle’s career in human services began in 1999 and she spent the last six and a half years working with the Southern Tier Aids Program in HIV Prevention and Education.

Danielle and the staff at the Rural Health Network provide information and prescreen individuals for health insurance assistance through income based programs such as Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid.

“We provide people in a wide variety of circumstances with a face and a place to go for answers.”

This process is referred to as facilitated enrollment. The Rural Health Network works under contract with another nonprofit organization, Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network, to enroll qualified individuals in state health insurance programs. Once enrolled, the Department of Social Services assigns a case worker who provides the person with technical and individual support.

"When someone calls us they often feel overwhelmed by the system and aren’t sure where to go, or how to begin. We can prescreen them over the telephone and get them an appointment within a week,” says Danielle. “It gets the process moving quickly.”

In addition to helping people navigate the often complex health care system, the Rural Health Network can help those who need it to find transportation to health care related appointments. A directory of the transportation services can be found on our website at www.ruralhealthnetwork.org.

For the under-insured, specific needs such as vision services assistance can be a challenge. “Sight for Students is one of the programs available to help with eye exams and glasses. Students are often referred by guidance counselors, school nurses, or their parents,” explains Danielle.

Many people without comprehensive health care coverage also have difficulty with prescription drug costs. Danielle works with a special software system that searches for cost cutting or no cost coverage options. “Sometimes it’s as simple as telling people about the programs available at pharmacies like Target or Wal-Mart. Generic drug prescriptions can be filled there for just $4.00, but many people aren’t aware of it. Pharmaceutical companies also have a variety of programs that can help.”

“We are always open and willing to work with other agencies to provide the best access and resources possible for rural people, and to promote better health and a better quality of life.”

Danielle Berchtold and the Rural Health Network of South Central New York can be reached at 607.692.7669 or www.ruralhealthnetwork.org.

Spring 2008

Articles in this issue:

- Rural Health Service Corps
- Simply Health's Healthy Start
- Welcome Danielle Berchtold
 

Upcoming Events:

New York Council on Food Policy Listening session: April 11, 2008 in Binghamton

Listening sessions are open to the public and are an open microphone format. Anyone who wishes to participate will have a few minutes to present their opinions and must provide their comments in written format.

Comments should focus on the key issue areas of how to strengthen the connection between local food products and consumers; support efficient and profitable agricultural food production and food retail infrastructure; and increase consumer awareness and knowledge about healthy eating and improve access to safe and nutritious foods. RSVP to Mary Ann Stockman by April 9 at 518.448.7728 or maryann.stockman
@agmkt.state.ny.ny.us

New York State Turn Off Week: April 21st - April 27th

Turnoff Week is a great opportunity for school staff, PTA representatives, community libraries, or other youth-oriented programs or organizations to work with children and their families to find fun, active alternatives to hours in front of a television or computer screen.

Cover the Uninsured Week: April 27th - May 3rd

Forty-seven million Americans, including more than nine million children, are living without health care coverage.  Cover the Uninsured, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders.