August 9, 2019
UNITED HOSPITAL FUND REPORTS ON DSRIP'S PROMISING PRACTICES

Four years into a groundbreaking overhaul of its Medicaid program, New York has laid the groundwork for improving health care access, quality and costs well beyond 2020 if it continues to expand on the practices implemented to date, according to a report released by United Hospital Fund (UHF) and funded by the New York State Department of Health. 

In a press release from UHF, co-author of the report, Nathan Myers, director of UHF's Medicaid Institute, said, "The practices covered in the report suggest that broad-scale adoption could support continued progress in lowering Medicaid costs and improving access and quality.  Reports from DSRIP providers suggest opportunities exist for larger improvements across Medicaid if given enough time and resources for effective expansion."

To view the full press release, click here. The full report, DSRIP Promising Practices: Strategies for Meaningful Change for New York Medicaid, can be found here.  
SAVE THE DATE - THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
New York Peer Specialist Certification Board

The New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB) will be hosting their Third Annual Conference on  November 5 & 6, 2019, at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, Poughkeepsie, NY.  Visit their website for updated information and to register for the event when available.  
DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM TRAINING

On October 23 & 24, 2019, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, co-hosted by SCC, Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be conducting a two-day Diabetes Prevention Program Training class for Lifestyle Coaches.  Training will be conducted by a Diabetes Prevention Program Master Trainer.

Location:  
Suffolk County Department of Health Office of Health Education
725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Building CO16, Training Room, Hauppague, NY.

Lunch will be provided.  Registration deadline:  October 4, 2019.  

If you are interested in becoming a National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, contact Debora Rippel at 631-853-2928 or email Debora.Rippel@suffolkcountyny.gov to register.  
FOURTH ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE RECOVERY CONFERENCE
October 20 - 22, 2019

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, Inc. (ASAP) and Friends of Recovery - New York (FOR-NY) will hold the Fourth Annual New York State Recovery Conference October 20-22, 2019, at the Albany Marriott.

At the annual conference the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Youth Voices Matter-NY (YVM-NY) and Friends of Recovery-NY (FOR-NY) will be hosting a free Pre-Conference Institute on Sunday, October 20, 2019, from 12:00 to 5:00 pm, offering NY Certification Board Renewal Credits (CRPA and CARC).  The pre-conference institute provides a learning  opportunity to understand more about peer services and the integration of peer services into the behavioral health and primary care systems.

The target audience for attendance at the pre-conference institute are peers that work or volunteer at OASAS Treatment and Recovery programs, as well as within Recovery Community Organizations.  


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Full conference registration is separate and does not include this program
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NEW YORK STATE SUICIDE PREVENTION CONFERENCE
September 18 & 19, 2019

The 4th Annual New York State Suicide Prevention Conference: "STRONGER TOGETHER: Embracing Diversity and State/Local Partnerships in Suicide Prevention" sponsored by Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Center-NY is a two-day conference that will focus on best practices in the field of suicide prevention. It will feature presentations highlighting recent developments in suicide prevention, including working with diverse populations, community coalitions, schools and college campuses, health systems and advancements in surveillance data.

The conference takes place on September 18 and 19, 2019, at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Albany, NY.  For more information and to register, click here.  
AUGUST HEALTH AND WELLNESS OBSERVANCES  
   
August 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 or newsletter, submit them here.

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website has resources to assist you in communicating to healthcare professionals, parents and patients about immunization.  Click on the links below for useful communication toolkits.
NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK

National Health Center Week (August 4 - 10) is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America's health centers over the past five decades.  This year, the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Health Center Advocacy Network invites you to celebrate the ways that health centers are "Rooted in Communities."  Click here for tools and resources to help spread the word about health centers and the good work being done.

To find out more about celebrating America's health centers and the focus areas being highlighted each day of the week, click here.  
Community word cloud with magnifying glass, concept
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Opportunities for community engagement throughout Suffolk County

EFFECTS OF ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES ON THE BRAIN
SAVE THE DATE - September 9, 2019  |  6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Free seminar, open to community members and professionals.  Presented by Dr. Stephen Dewey, Neuroscientist.  Event to be held at Smithtown Landing and Country Club, 495 Landing Avenue, Smithtown, NY.
Also available at the seminar:
  • Narcan Training
  • Drug Testing Kits
  • Medicine Take-Back
  • Drug Disposal Kits
  • Educational Materials

Sponsored by the Smithtown Rotary and provided by WellLife Network and the Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center.

 

HEALTHY SUNDAYS PROGRAM
Catholic Health Services of Long Island's health screening program provides preventive health screenings and education to members of medically underserved communities on Long Island.   Click here for schedule of upcoming event dates and locations.

BETTER CHOICES, BETTER HEALTH ® WORKSHOP SERIES
Free 6 week health education program for people with chronic illness.  Ongoing registration and information on various programs offered throughout Suffolk, can be found on the SCC Community Bulletin Board here.  

DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
Free to Suffolk County Residents at-risk for developing type-2 Diabetes.  Offered by Suffolk County Department of Health Services, this program is led by a trained lifestyle coach.  Visit  Suffolk County's website or contact  Deborah at 631-853-2928 for more information and program schedule.   

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.
CALLING ALL PEER SPECIALISTS
Community Practice Meeting

Join the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc. (CLMHD) for Long Island's first Community Practice Meeting on August 15, 2019, 1:30 - 3:00 pm at Mental Health Association of Nassau County, 16 Main Street, Hempstead, NY.  This event is designed to give Peer Specialists support, access to continuing education and the opportunity for reflective practice.  

Pre-register here or call 516-489-2322 Ext. 1256.  Click here for flyer.  
NYS DOH ANNOUNCEMENTS

EPIC PROGRAM WEBINAR PRESENTATION
On July 30, 2019, the New York State Department of Health hosted an informational webinar on the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program's current and future policy for providing assistance with the Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty. The PowerPoint presentation is available hereQuestions may be directed to NYSEPICOutreach@magellanhealth.com.

MRT PUBLIC FORUM:  WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS 
Written public comments for New York State's 1115 Waiver Program, June 24, 2019, Upstate Public Comment Day are now available on the Department of Health website.
Job woman showing hiring sign. Young smiling Caucasian   Asian businesswoman isolated on white background.
SCC CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The SCC is pleased to invite qualified career seekers to apply for open positions. All job descriptions for current opportunities are posted here.
  
Current job openings:
  1. Community Health Associate
  2. Administrative Manager, Quality Improvement

For more information, please contact the Suffolk Care Collaborative.
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