February 2019
Rural Matters
In This Issue...
Partnering to Provide Learning Experiences
Transportation Toolkit Serves 10-County Area
In the News
News From our Friends and Partners
kevinNew Farm to School AmeriCorps Member 

Kevin Brouillard has joined our Food and Health Network Team as an AmeriCorps Member. 

Originally from the Buffalo area, Kevin currently resides in Gilbertsville with his partner and their dog, Charlie. He will serve in the Farm to School Corps with Sidney School District in Delaware County. Kevin is a graduate from New York University with a Bachelor's in Politics and European & Mediterranean Studies and is half-way through his dual degree Master's program in Sustainable Communities and Public Administration. 

Kevin served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years in Cambodia, where he worked on several community development projects, including a school garden, art workshops, and a school recycling program. From there, he worked as a farm apprentice at Apple Pond Farm in Sullivan County and as the Community Energy Coordinator with the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition. Kevin is excited to return to working in support of local food systems during his service. 
economyThe Economic Impact of Community and Public Health Programming on Rural Economies

A video recently released by Health WorkForce NY shares the results of an economic impact study conducted by the NYS Association For Rural Health. The study researched the economic impact of 2017 funding cuts to New York State Rural Health Networks and Area Health Education Centers in NY Senate Districts 45 and 51.  Rural Health Network of South Central New York participated in the study.  You can view the short video at:
 
simulatePartnering to Provide Learning Experiences
Students at Binghamton University's Hinman College prepare for their roles in a
Poverty Simulation. Photo courtesty of Al Vos. 

Rural Health Service Corps and the Food and Health Network collaborated with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Speakers Bureau on our third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Poverty Simulation on January 26th. The simulation featured a combined theme of rural poverty, and food and racial justice and was held for students from Binghamton University's Hinman College.

Close to 100 total participants came out to take part in the event, including 16 service members from the Rural Health Service Corps. Rural Health Network Poverty Simulations aim to simulate the lived experiences of low-income and food-insecure families. The simulations also highlight many of the structural obstacles to socioeconomic mobility, personal health, happiness, and employment.

If you work with a group that is interested in scheduling a Poverty Simulation, please contact Julie Pitts for details and pricing. 

  VISTA logo  AmeriCorps logo
toolkitTransportation Tool Kit Helps Residents from a 10-County Area Plan Medical Trips
Getthere recently announced the release of their new website. The website, www.gettherescny.org, provides a plethora of helpful resources, such as transportation providers, rideshare information, planning documents, and other information pertinent to the community of healthcare professionals, transportation planners and individuals seeking transportation information. The website is being touted as a "one-stop shop" for transportation information for professionals and residents of ten counties across the southern tier of New York.  Transportation information is provided for the following counties; Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Stueben, Tioga and Tompkins.

The highlight of the website is an online tool kit for trip planning in the ten county region. Area residents and professionals are able to enter addresses for both starting point and destination, along with options for individual needs to receive a list of transportation options and contact information for volunteer providers when available, private and public transportation options. Additionally, users are able to access the Medical Answering Services link for Medicaid transportation to set up rides online.
fvrx toolkitIn The News
The New York State Department of Health Medicaid Redesign Team recently published DSRIP Stories of Meaningful Change in Patient Health. We were honored that our Food and Health Network FVRx program is featured in the publication.  

Click the link above to read about our program and others that are having a meaningful impact in New York state. 
ofaNews from our Friends and Partners
The Broome County Office for Aging is seeking your participation in the Community Needs Survey that will be distributed throughout Broome County starting in February 2019. The purpose of this survey is to explore the needs of adults in the community. The information you provide in this survey will help guide the community planning process and improve community features for people of all ages. Additionally, the outcomes of this survey will be used for the "Broome County Age Friendly Community" process.

Paper surveys will be available at a variety of community locations. A complete list of locations where you can pick up a printed copy of the survey will be published on the Broome County Office for Aging website at http://gobroomecounty.com/senior/. You can also complete the survey online. All survey respondents will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $250 Visa gift card.

For questions please call (607) 778-2411 or email: [email protected]

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