May 5, 2020
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES HEALTHY AND SAFE

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Suffolk Care Collaborative will continue to bring you pertinent information during this COVID-19 crisis. If you have resources that you would like to share with providers and the healthcare community, or with the Suffolk County community-at-large, please email Resources@Stonybrookmedicine.edu for inclusion in upcoming e-newsblasts or to be featured on the bulletin board of our  Community Engagement webpage.

Our periodic newsletter,  Synergy , has been discontinued.   However, you can find past editions on our website. The newsletters featured articles about partner organizations, as well as updates and highlights about projects and programs. Click here for the Synergy webpage.
CONTACT TRACING OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE
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The State of New York launched a new ambitious and urgent effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The aim of this initiative will be to call every person diagnosed with COVID-19, establish all contacts of this person, and proceed to call and maintain ongoing communication with every contact. In addition, the team will support the isolation and quarantine of individuals, as appropriate in cooperation with the Local Health Department.   This includes virtual needs checks and referral to community resources as needed.  

New York State plans to hire a staff statewide to support the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Local Health Departments (LHDs) to perform contact tracing in communities across the state.

To be considered, candidates must be a New York State resident 18 years of age or older; meet the position description requirement; go through an interview process; and complete a training and certification program.

New York State is looking to immediately fill the following roles:

Contact Tracers
Reach out to the contacts of anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 to assess symptoms, ensure compliance with quarantine and determine social support needs

Team Supervisors
Lead a team of 20 Contact Tracers, and one Community Support Specialist who are working remotely using digital tools

Community Support Specialists
Work with the team to address the support need s of those who are contacts, especially those who are under Isolation or Quarantine

Click here if you or someone you know in New York is interested in applying to be a part of the Contact Tracing team.
GNYHA HITE WEBSITE UPDATED FOR COVID-19

The Greater New York Hospital Association's (GNYHA) Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE), a free, publicly available directory of more than 5,700 programs and community-based organizations (CBOs) in New York City and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties.  G NYHA maintains accurate resource information through extensive data collection, verification, and community outreach. The resource can be located at www.hitesite.org .
 
GNYHA has developed new enhancements to HITE so that member hospital staff and other users can better navigate health and social services needs and address social determinants of health during the COVID-19 crisis. A newly created "COVID-19 Status" filter allows users to obtain information on the current status of organizations such as operations, remote operations, pick-up, and delivery services. Hospital staff seeking social services for their patients as part of discharge planning, care management, navigation, and coordination can use the new filter to find available organizations.
 
HITE has also transitioned outreach operations to virtual meetings so that organizations included in the resource directory can share and collect information on community needs. In addition, HITE is sending a bi-weekly newsletter to CBOs and member hospitals highlighting resources that continue to be in high demand, such as housing and food services. HITE is also publishing daily updates to Twitter and LinkedIn to share information on professional webinars, publications, resources, and public health guidelines and recommendations. HITE staff are offering online demonstrations to help hospital departments and CBOs navigate the new site updates.
 
For a demonstration or if you would like to share updates to resources, please email hite@gnyha.org.  Should you have any questions about HITE, please contact Shanaz Hosein at shosein@gnyha.org.
NEW YORK STATE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HOTLINE
COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS  

New York State provides up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak for NYS healthcare providers, including:
  • Weekly health care provider updates
  • COVID-19 webinars, health advisories, printable materials and guidance
  • COVID-19 Testing Information
  • Joining the NYS health care provider reserve workforce
  • Creating a Health Commerce Account
  • Weekly Healthcare Provider Update Compilation


The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance has been updated.  Click here for  CDC Healthcare Provider Guidance about Coronavirus.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY ON COVID-19

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW) has increased the capacity of its Mental Health Helpline in response to the overwhelming need resulting from the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The Helpline, which can be accessed by phone at 631-471-7242 ext. 2, is open for calls Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or via email at helpline@mhaw.org.  Emails can be sent 24/7 and will be responded to the same day or next day.  Additional COVID-19-related resources can be found on the Mental Health Helpline webpage .
 
In addition to the Mental Health Helpline, MHAW has expanded the hours for its Peer Support Line and online Peer Support Groups.  

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The American Lung Association has updated guidance on how to protect yourself and your family from becoming infected. Click here to learn more.

The Lung HelpLine is staffed by medical professionals ready to answer questions about COVID-19 and other lung-related concerns. This service is available for free in more than 250 languages. Contact the Lung HelpLine by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA or submitting a question online.  

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides various resources and can be found by clicking on the below links.   

World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak

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The American Heart Association advises caution and preparation for heart patients and stroke survivors because they are at higher risk of complications from the coronavirus COVID-19.  Visit their website for helpful tips and information from leading experts on the below topics:
  • Precautions for patients and others facing higher risks  
  • What heart patients should know about coronavirus
  • What people with diabetes need to know about COVID-19
  • Understanding the risky combination of diabetes and the coronavirus
  • Keeping a lid on blood pressure during the coronavirus crisis
Videos are also available on these topics:
  • Some may die because people aren't calling 911
  • Coronavirus: What heart and stroke patients need to know
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

In two articles, Nora Volkow, MD, director at National Institute on Drug Abuse, discusses the fact that the addiction and overdose epidemics have not gone away, the ways they interface with COVID-19 and that people with, and in recovery from, SUDs are susceptible to the virus.  Read the articles and learn more at the National Institute on Drug Abuse website and the Annals of Internal Medicine website.  
TREATMENT, RECOVERY AND WORKFORCE SUPPORT GRANT

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for a treatment, recovery and workforce grant.  The purpose of this program is to implement evidence-based programs to support individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce.  The application due date is June 1, 2020.   Learn more here.
VIDEOS AVAILABLE TO HELP PROVIDERS MEET CHALLENGES 



To keep pace with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic the National Council's Strategic Partner, MTM Services, has created a series of free short videos with tips that will help you continue to serve the customers who need you most while you are operating from home.

To access these videos, visit MTM Services COVID1-19 Resources Page  for the information you need about providing telehealth service on topics like: 
  • Crisis Planning - How to respond to a crisis in the telehealth environment.  
  • Just in Time Scheduling Adjustments - Find out how you can support consumers including those who need prescription medicine - during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • HIPAA Compliance From Home - Practical tips on complying with HIPAA, even when you're working from home.
  • Virtual Same Day Access - A two-part video on how to maintain Same Day Access (SDA), even when operating remotely.
  • Collaborative Documentation - A three-part demonstration on how to make Collaborative Documentation (CD) work in a telehealth environment.  
  • Information on handling centralized scheduling, supervision and more.  
As the environment continues to evolve and as your questions come in, MTM Services will update their COVID-19 Resource Page with new videos and other resources.  Continue to check the website.   

Visit the National Council's COVID-19 website for the latest policy changes, funding opportunities and tax incentives and other more.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ESTABLISHED FUNDING FOR COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established a COVID-19 Telehealth Program that will provide $200 million in funding, appropriated by Congress as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to help health care providers provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will provide immediate support to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services until the program's funds have been expended or the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
 
Note that the COVID-19 Telehealth Program is limited to nonprofit and public eligible health care providers that fall within the categories of health care providers in section 254(h)(7)(B) of the 1996 Act.  For more information and to apply, click here.  
FREEDOM FROM SMOKING FACILITATOR TRAINING

Online Training Experience

May 28 and June 16, 2020

9:00 am - 4:00 pm


For more information contact  PJ Tedeschi, Director, Tobacco Action Coalition of LI at PJ.Tedeschi@lung.org or Maureen.Kenney@Lung.org, 914-407-2302.
MAY HEALTH AND WELLNESS OBSERVANCES  

May provides several opportunities to promote health and wellness awareness. Listed below are several resources to help community leaders and healthcare providers start planning ways to communicate, educate and involve the community they serve.  If you would like to promote special events in recognition of any of these observances on our Community Bulletin Board, submit them here .

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health.  NAMI works to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

NAMI's "You are Not Alone" campaign features the lived experience of people affected by mental illness to fight stigma, inspire others and educate the broader public. Now more than ever before, it is important for the mental health community to come together and show the world that no one should ever feel alone. The campaign builds connection and increases awareness with the digital tools that make connection possible during a climate of physical distancing. Even in times of uncertainty, the NAMI community is always here, reminding everyone that you are not alone.  Click here to access resources to promote awareness. 


NATIONAL SKILLED NURSING CARE WEEK - MAY 10 - 16, 2020
National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America's frail, elderly and disabled.  This year, while it is more important than ever to celebrate NSNCW and recognize the staff and residents in our skilled nursing care centers across the nation, it is a challenge to figure out how best to do so. Current social distancing rules and the inability of friends and family to enter the buildings has changed much of the day-to-day life of the staff and the residents. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is that staff are playing a critical role in caring for residents and saving lives, and that deserves to be honored and celebrated. 

NSNCW is also a time to recognize residents, their special relationships with staff, and the family members that all make up your unique and wonderful communities.   Keeping your community connected through the use of technology and social media is a great way to prevent social isolation and lift everyone's spirits.

Check out the Suggested Activities page for ideas and suggestions on ways to celebrate despite the limitations of social distancing.  You can also view, upload, and share messages of support at CareNotCOVID.com, and connect on Facebook and Twitter using #NSNCW and #CareNotCOVID to share activity ideas, videos, and messages.


NATIONAL WOMAN'S HEALTH WEEK - MAY 10 - 16, 2020
National Women's Health Week (NWHW) is a weeklong health observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH).  The week May 10-16, 2020 serves as a reminder for women and girls, especially during the outbreak of COVID-19, to make their health a priority and take care of themselves.  It is extremely important for all women and girls, especially those with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and women 65 years and older, to take care of your health now.

The Office on Women's Health encourages women and girls to:
  • Take care of your body and mind.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider:
    • if you have concerns about COVID-19;
    • if you are sick;
    • if stress is getting in the way of your daily activities; or,
    • if you have a health condition, such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, to develop or maintain a plan to keep it under control.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get and stay active regularly.
  • Eat heart-healthy.
  • Take care of your mental health.
  • Find healthy ways to manage stress.
  • Practice good sleep habits to improve your mental and physical health, and boost your immune system.
  • Monitor alcohol intake and avoid illicit drugs, including drugs that are not prescribed to you.
  • Look out for your lungs by quitting smoking and vaping.
  Visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women's Health for resources on all above topics.
SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR FAMILIES



The Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Program remains up and running and ready to deliver services and resources to individuals with dementia and their families.

The Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Team is fully engaged, working remotely to provide direct care via telehealth and to connect individuals to community supports.   Referrals are welcome.  Call 631-954-2323 for assistance.  
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Opportunities for community engagement throughout Suffolk County

CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SUFFOLK COUNTY
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Family Health & Wellness educators have a wealth of resources online.  Most importantly, "How to talk to your kids about COVID-19" helps families navigate this sensitive topic.  Visit their website for the latest updates.  

VETERANS PEER SUPPORT GROUPS ONLINE
During the COVID-19 public health crisis, Online Support Groups sessions are scheduled to help Veterans stay connected. The groups are hosted on Zoom and can be joined online or by phone. Visit the website for more information,

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness Peer Support Line is also available 7 days per week:   Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm;  Saturday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm; Sunday: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm  --   631-471-7242 ext 1217

Also available to assist is the Veterans Crisis Line at 1 (800) 272-8255 & Press 1
or Response Crisis Hotline of Suffolk County at (631) 751-7500

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Visit SCC's Community Engagement page for on-going neighborhood programs here.  Partners can request to have their community events posted on the bulletin board, including job opportunities, which will be posted free of charge for 30 days.  To request to post on our bulletin board, click  here .  





Please visit our Community Engagement page  for our calendar of events and  resources.
NYS DOH ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
TELEHEALTH GUIDANCE DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY PERIOD
NYS DOH has issued a Medicaid Update Special Edition featuring Guidance for Telephonic Communiction Services During a State of Emergency Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019Click here for updated guidance. 
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