ROCHESTER – U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, while visiting the Foodlink Headquarters in Rochester earlier this month, said she will push to protect healthier food standards and programs for schools as Congress prepares to debate child nutrition standards.

Gillibrand also announced bipartisan legislation to provide more children with nutritious meals throughout the summer.

Gillibrand’s proposed legislation would give more children access to healthy summer meals by expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. The legislation would help improve nutrition and enhance learning in underserved areas by better integrating summer education and meals programs, making it easier for public-private partner organizations to participate in the summer meals program, and by providing the option of a third meal for children who attend evening enrichment programs.

“For many children the only meals they eat are provided at school, and that means some children go hungry over summer break,” said Gillibrand, first New York Senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years.

Congress has been debating child nutrition standards and school meals as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) is set to expire in September that were a landmark achievement for improving what cafeterias serve children. Under the law, in order for school meals to be eligible for federal reimbursement, one of the main requirements is that they must contain at least ½ cup serving of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The authorization for USDA’s core child nutrition programs: the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program is also set to expire in September and must be renewed this year, Gillibrand said.

She is also pushing to expand purchases from local food producers, particularly fresh fruit and vegetable growers and suppliers, to provide nutritious school meals and also raise students’ awareness of local agriculture.

“As we debate child nutrition standards, we need to make serving healthy food at our schools is a priority,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Fresh fruits’ and vegetables’ place on the lunch tray should not be replaced with French fries and onion rings.”

Across the country, 31 million students participate in the national school lunch program, and 22 million students receive free or reduced school lunch – meaning their families lives at or near the poverty line – but only one in seven of these high need children have access to summer meals. In New York, there are more than 1.7 million children who receive free or reduced school lunch, but only 27 percent have access to summer meals, Gillibrand said.

The Summer Meals Act would help more children access healthy food by lowering the threshold to allow areas with 40 percent or more of students receiving free or reduced lunch to be eligible for the program, rather than the current threshold of 50 percent. Senator Gillibrand’s legislation would expand eligibility to 3.2 million children.

This legislation would also reduce the paperwork burden for meal program sponsors who want to participate in the program, provide children with transportation to the summer meals sites, and would also offer the option of an additional meal to children who attend evening programs.

The USDA Summer Food Service Program provides low-income children under age 18, who would normally receive free or reduced school lunch, with quality, nutritious food during the summer. Several programs run in tandem with educational enrichment programs to keep children engaged and safe during the summer months.

Currently, there are more than 50 national organizations that have endorsed the Summer Meals Act legislation.

The most recent Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) process concluded when the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) was signed into law on Dec. 13, 2010. Gillibrand said the HHFKA made substantial improvements to Child Nutrition by:

Increasing reimbursement rates paid for school meals by $0.06.

Updating school nutrition standards and standards for all food sold in competition with school lunches such as food sold in vending machines.

Encouraging farm-to-school initiatives and other obesity reducing programs;

Introducing new physical activity standards;

Expanding support for food service programs to include summer programs, afterschool, and outside of school programs;

Establishing new guidelines for school food safety

The HHFKA and its child nutrition standards are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2015. As Congress begins to debate renewing these programs Gillibrand said she will be advocating for the following priorities:

Give more children healthy summer meals by expanding access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program.

Reduce red tape and make it easier for existing after school meal providers to sponsor Summer Meal programs.

Strengthen the ties between farmers, producers, and meal service providers by bolstering Farm-to-School programs.

Preserve existing nutrition standards including the requirement of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

Help school nutrition professionals meet their professional standard requirements, support peer mentorship programs, and provide grants for improved kitchen equipment that enable the preparation of healthy, appetizing meals that children will truly enjoy.

Improve student participation rates in the School Breakfast Program.

Provided photo – The family of the late David Millis gathers for a photo at the 9th annual David R. Millis Memorial Golf Tournament.

The family of David Millis hosted their 9th annual David R. Millis Memorial Golf Tournament on June 7 at the Batavia Country Club. This year the tournament raised $12,600, bringing the nine-year grand total to over $112,000.

The money was again donated to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, which is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to assisting local families with their fight against cancer. The money is used to assist with prescriptions, medical insurance, nutritional supplements, hospital beds and many other needs.

This year the tournament had 129 golfers and an additional 44 dinner guests. Justin Klein, Jim Klein, Matt Wood and Greg Piske won this year’s tournament.

Golfers and dinner guests had a chance to find purple golf balls hidden throughout the golf course and banquet hall to help raise pancreatic cancer awareness, which took the life of Dave Millis. Anyone who found a golf ball throughout the day won a prize.

Millis was an active community member and the long-time superintendent of Albion’s sewer plant.

For more information, pictures and updates on the tournament, click here.

Provided photos – The Millis family poses for a picture at the June 5 golf tournament in memory of David Millis of Albion. The group includes, front row, from left: Julie Mersdorf, Haley Mersdorf, Brett Mersdorf, Andrew Millis, Kennedy Barber and Joan Millis. Back row: Zachary Millis, Brian Millis, Diane Millis, Jade Millis, Jay Mersdorf, Karen Barber, Gary Barber and Brooks Barber.

ALBION – The family of David Millis has now hosted 10 memorial golf tournament that have raised $125,000 for Orleans County families battling cancer.

The family held the most recent tournament on June 5 at Batavia Country Club and raised about $12,500. The money was again donated to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, which is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to assisting local families with their fight against cancer. The money is used to assist with prescriptions, medical insurance, nutritional supplements, hospital beds and many other needs.

The Millis family would like to thank major sponsors, golfers, dinner guests, volunteers, and raffle prize donors to help make this tournament another great success.

This year the tournament had 136 golfers and 186 dinner guests.

Jim Klein, Justin Klein, Jon Klein and Matt Wood won this year’s tournament.

Golfers and dinner guests had a chance to find purple golf balls hidden throughout the golf course and banquet hall to help raise pancreatic cancer awareness, which David passed away from. Anyone who found a golf ball throughout the day won a prize.

“I am so pleased with the golf tournament again this year,” said David’s wife Joan Millis. “I am so proud of my family, they do a wonderful job making sure everything runs smoothly and everyone had a nice time. I’m happy the proceeds will again go to the Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund. We are very happy it helps people who live locally. I would also like to thank everyone who sponsored, people and businesses who contributed raffle prizes, volunteers, golfers, dinner guests and all of our friends and family who have always been there for us. I know Dave is so proud of his family as I am.”

Next year’s tournament will be on June 4.

For more information and pictures from the tournament, click here.

Press Release, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition

Increasing public awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues are at the forefront of National Prevention Week.

The awareness week is held each year in May, near the start of summer, when families try to fit in as many celebrations and recreational activities as possible. It’s also a time when substance use and abuse can happen, such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, sporting events, and outdoor activities.

The percentages of marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol initiates among youth increase between spring and summer, and the timing of National Prevention Week helps to educate young people and their families at this crucial time of year. Each of us can make a difference in our community, starting with the choices we make every day. These choices are important for our health and our future, and they also affect the lives of people in our community.

Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition was selected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to receive a $500 stipend to support a National Prevention Week event from May 11-16.

Pat Crowley, project director for the coalition, noted that each day they have selected a suggested health topic that will be highlighted in the lobby at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA) at 249 East Ave., Albion.

“We will have information available on the prevention of tobacco use, underage drinking and alcohol abuse, opioid and prescription drug abuse, illicit drug use, prevention of suicide as well as promotion of mental health and wellness,” she said.

GCASA will finish off the week with a Free Wellness Walk/Run beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the community room at GCASA’s Albion office. The Albion Running Club and Orleans United are co-sponsoring the Wellness Walk/Run.

The first 40 people to register on the event day receive a free T-shirt and everyone that registers and participates will have a chance to win an Apple I-Pod. Contact Pat Crowley for more information at pcrowley@gcasa.org or call 585-331-8732. Join us in spreading the message that prevention works.

325 attend annual event ‘For Women Only’

Photos by Marsha Rivers – A big crowd turned out on Wednesday night for the annual “For Women Only” fundraising event at White Birch Country Club.

LYNDONVILLE A warm spring evening, made even warmer by robust attendance, set the tone for this year’s Community Partners “For Women Only” fundraising event at White Birch Country Club.

The theme “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot!” taught attendees how to manage menopause, including the bodily temperature fluctuations known as “hot flashes,” along with other symptoms of hormone changes women experience in middle age.

The event annually raises money for the prevention and support branch of Orleans Community Health. Cindy Perry, director of health education, wellness and outreach for Community Partners, said they had “maxed out” at about 325 attendees. Among those present and honored with a gift were about 20 cancer survivors.

Cindy Perry, left, is director of health education, wellness and outreach for Community Partners. She is pictured with Taalibah Amatul-Haqq of Wildflower Natural Foods in Medina.

One survivor, Kathy Vicknair, shared the story of her diagnosis and treatment, and said how glad she was that she received the news in a place where she felt comfortable and valued, “not just a number.”

“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” Vicknair said of Medina Memorial Hospital, giving special recognition to the Mammography Department. “So many people depend on our hospital – I know I do. Let’s all continue to support it.”

Another cancer survivor was keynote speaker Taalibah Amatul-Haqq, president and manager of Wildflower Natural Foods, of Medina. As a longtime advocate of alternative medicine and the importance of good nutrition, Amatul-Haqq said her breast cancer diagnosis came as a shock, and it shook her sense of identity as a wellness proponent. Throughout her treatments and afterward, she struggled with physical exhaustion and depression. It took the testimonial of a former customer to restore her sense of confidence in her wellness work.

Joan Mrzywka and Linda Karp are pictured with some of the raffle tickets for many of the baskets up for auction.

Amatul-Haqq told the women that menopause is “a beginning as well as an end.” She told them about other cultures where menopausal women are held in higher esteem than young women because of the wisdom the change represents.

She explained various physiological aspects of menopause and recommended wholesome nutrition – including supplements such as vitamin D3, curcumin, and transdermal progesterone cream – plus regular exercise, as antidotes to troublesome symptoms.

“Food is your medicine, or food is your poison – you have to choose,” Amatul-Haqq said.

Amatul-Haqq also noted the importance of emotional levity for menopause survival and peppered her talk with funny sayings and anecdotes.

“If you don’t have a sense of humor going through menopause, you’re in trouble,” Amatul-Haqq said.

Cindy Perry said she felt the mission of the evening had been accomplished: “Hopefully everyone learned a little bit and had some fun while raising money for the services not covered by our grant.”

OCH and union are at odds in contract negotiations

MEDINA -Employees at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital will be doing a public demonstration today and Saturday in downtown Medina, trying to build community support for a new contract with pay increases.

Orleans Community Health’s leadership team has been meeting with the union since late November, often meeting twice a week to work out a new labor agreement.

There are 281 employees from OCH in 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Their contract expired on Dec. 31, 2014.

“At this time, the SEIU has continued to support contractual increases that would cost about $1.7 million over the current contract,” OCH officials said in a press release this morning.

Union leaders say OCH has had several recent positive developments, including the opening of an Urgent Care site in Albion, the sale of Orchard Manor and $500,000-plus in renovations to a 30-bed North Wing at the hospital.

The hospital recently was designated a “Critical Access Hospital,” which brings the prospect of higher reimbursement rates through Medicare. However, hospital leaders say the exact financial implications is unknown.

“The changes in healthcare reimbursement and shifts in patient volume continue to impact many area healthcare organizations like Orleans Community Health,” OCH said in a statement this morning. “The current contract includes pay practices such as daily overtime and shift differential (from 7.5% to 20% of the hourly pay rate). These pay practices can no longer be supported under the current healthcare environment. OCH did not propose any change in health insurance or pension for employees. Orleans Community Health must make sure we have affordable and quality healthcare available for our community.”

Hospital employees plan to be in downtown Medina today at the corner of Main Street and West Center Street from noon to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. They will be there on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

MEDINA – After four months of negotiations and over 30 meetings, union contract talks remain deadlocked between employees and management at Orleans Community Health, according to the employees’ union, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

In spite of a variety of positive developments for OCH’s Medina Memorial Hospital, management is still proposing major cuts in pay for nearly 300 nurses, technicians, and other staff, the union said.

Hospital employees plan to bring their message to the public on Friday and Saturday in downtown Medina at the corner of Main Street and West Center Street. Employees will be out from noon to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The employees will be passing out a leaflet to local citizens and holding signs for passing cars.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Medina Memorial Hospital has been designated a Critical Access Hospital, which will boost the Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates.

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital has received “Critical Access Hospital” designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which will boost the reimbursement rates for the hospital.

The Critical Access Hospital program is a reimbursement status that allows a certified hospital to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare, and is intended to boost the financial strength of the hospitals, Medina officials said in a statement this afternoon.

The designation could lead to grant money for Medina Memorial through the Flex Program, which provides grants to states to implement a Critical Access Hospital program. This is a method for promoting strength and longevity, encouraging the development of rural health networks, assisting with quality improvement efforts, and improving rural emergency medical services, Medina Memorial/Orleans Community Health officials said in a news release today.

“Lower patient volumes, higher expenses and changes in reimbursement are affecting hospitals of all sizes across the region and country,” the hospital said in the statement. “Achieving Critical Access Hospital status is one of the significant strategic planning steps taken by Orleans Community Health to address these challenges and ensure the long-term success of the hospital.”

Critical Access Hospitals are certified under a different set of Medicare “Conditions of Participation,” a set of stringent health measures designed to regulate how hospitals and other medical establishments utilize Medicare aid, hospital leaders said.

Every health-care facility that receives reimbursement for Medicare related costs must adhere to the guidelines specified by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These rules make sure that all patients receive a minimum standard of health service, which is the right of every beneficiary.

The first step in achieving this status was for Medina Memorial to successfully complete an accreditation survey by Det Norske Veritas, an accrediting body that assures policies and practices are in place to meet patient safety and quality guidelines. Det Norske Veritas then sent the results of the survey to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which approved the Critical Access Hospital designation.

Other requirements for Critical Access Hospital status include a maximum of 25 acute care inpatient beds. For Critical Access Hospitals with swing bed agreements, any of its beds may be used for either inpatient acute care or swing bed services, Medina Memorial said.

The maximum inpatient stay is four days. Medina Memorial will continue serving the acute care needs of the community with 21 Medical/Surgical beds, four ICU beds, nine Acute Medical Rehabilitation beds and 30 Skilled Nursing Facility beds.

Critical Access Hospitals must also provide 24-hour/7 days a week emergency services, which Medina Memorial will continue to do, hospital leaders said.