Author: janiya
From Ambulance to Living Room: Community Paramedicine in Action
In rural Washington County, getting to the nearest hospitals in Glens Falls, Saratoga, Troy, or even Vermont can take a long time. That’s why the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad (CVRS) started Community Paramedicine—bringing healthcare right to people’s homes. Paramedics visit patients for non-emergency needs like checking medications, helping manage ongoing health problems, and following up with pe...
‘Informative,’ ‘Thought – Provoking,’ ‘Enlightening’: All the Lonely People Upstate NY Tour
All the Lonely People, a documentary by the Clowder Group, follows a diverse group of youth and adults as they relate their experiences with loneliness and social isolation, accompanied by expert testimony, exploring various causes, consequences, and coping strategies. From May 7th-14th, NYSARH, Catskill Hudson AHEC, Central New York AHEC, Hudson Mohawk AHEC, Northern AHEC, Western New York Rural ...
Oral Health Disparities in New York by Bridget Walsh
By Bridget Walsh Most people don’t know a great deal about oral health. For example, did you know that tooth decay is a communicable disease? Or that it is the most common chronic childhood disease? These facts are largely unknown by the public and policymakers because, despite the terrible human cost and the significant health costs associated with dental disease, oral health rarely garners the s...
A Prescription for Rural Healthcare: Bolstering Residency Programs in New York
by Elana Sitnik Across New York State, rural communities face a critical shortage of primary care physicians, hindering access to essential healthcare. Although New York State trains more medical residents than any other state, there are very few residency programs located in rural communities. A 2019 report by the Primary Care Development Corporation highlights the dwindling number of primary car...
Mobile Food Pantry Coming to Rural Communities
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in many rural communities, where access to resources is limited. However, a beacon of hope is on the horizon for residents of Black River and Evans Mills as a new initiative aims to address this challenge head-on. In a pioneering move, a mobile food pantry is set to roll into these north country communities, providing much-needed relief to those facing hunger. S...
Innovative Strategies in Rural Healthcare: Success Stories from Across America
Hospital leaders at the American Hospital Association Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., showcased local initiatives to recruit and retain health care professionals. Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, Wash., addressed staffing challenges by creating nurse residency and workforce development programs, cross-training nurses, and developing apprentice programs, resulting in...
Federal Communications Commission Announces Wind-Down Procedures for Affordable Connectivity Program
In response to a lack of additional funding from Congress, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an Order detailing wind-down procedures for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program, aimed at providing discounted internet services to low-income households, faces termination due to funding depletion. The Order outlines significant da...
High Suicide Rate Among American Farmers Sparks Rural Community Action
In 2023, the United States witnessed a tragic milestone as more than 50,000 Americans took their own lives, marking the highest yearly rate of suicide on record. Among the most affected are farmers, who face unique challenges that often go unnoticed. According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Special correspo...
Rural Housing Coalition Unveils Marist Poll Results on Housing Affordability in New York
The Rural Housing Coalition (RHC) has released the findings of a recent Marist Poll on housing affordability conducted in mid-November. The statewide survey, encompassing 1,780 adults, highlights the pressing concerns regarding housing affordability across New York. Key takeaways from the poll include: – 73% of Residents Identify Housing Affordability as a Major Problem: A significant majori...
Transformative Philanthropy: Prioritizing Nonprofit Staff Well-being
The Healing Trust has been reshaping the narrative in philanthropy since 2003 by prioritizing the well-being of nonprofit staff. This blog post explores their principles and practices, showcasing the profound impact of prioritizing staff well-being on the nonprofit sector. The Healing Trust recognizes that supporting the healing of nonprofit staff is crucial for sustainable change. While funding m...
Prevent Addiction and Support Recovery in Employment
In a groundbreaking move three years ago, New York introduced the first-in-the-nation “recovery-friendly workplace tax credit” to encourage employers to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. However, recent data reveals a stark reality: out of the $6 million allocated for this initiative, only $6,000 has been utilized by qualified for-profit employers since its ...
Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Releases Fall 2023 Edition of Rural Futures Newsletter
The Legislative Commission on Rural Resources is excited to present the Fall 2023 edition of *Rural Futures*, a newsletter that underscores their unwavering commitment to advocating for rural communities in New York State. This newsletter reflects a year of significant accomplishments, raising awareness of the importance of rural New York within state government. In 2023, they have spearheaded col...