Press Release, Nola Goodrich-Kresse, public health educator for the Orleans County Health Department

Delegates from all 57 counties and the City of New York recently convened in Albany at the Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).

Hundreds of county officials attended meetings, educational forums, keynote addresses and state budget presentations over the course of the three-day conference on Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.

At several breakout sessions during the conference, Orleans and Genesee County representatives had the opportunity to showcase their innovative public health shared service model to attendees. Dave Callard (chairman of the Orleans County Legislature), Paul Pettit (public health director, Genesee and Orleans County) and Matt Landers (assistant county manager, Genesee County) all participated in panel discussions highlighting the project over the past four years.

Dave Callard commented that “Counties across New York State continue to face unprecedented fiscal pressures under the tax cap without significant mandate relief. These burdens are continually pushing Counties to cut services and be creative in how to deliver the remaining essential services in a cost effective manner.”

In response to the current environment, Genesee and Orleans County began a strategic Cross Jurisdictional Services (CJS) PILOT project in October of 2012 to study and assess the merits of sharing Public Health Services.

“This project started as a shared senior administration model that immediately allowed both counties to experience financial savings while enhancing service delivery. This initiative and integrated relationship was the first and still the only of its kind in New York State,” stated Paul Pettit.

In four and half years, Genesee and Orleans Counties can attribute a return on investment of over $1,000,000 in combined savings from their CJS efforts.

The cross jurisdictional project in public health services has both regulatory and logistical complexities and the success is the result of significant hard work, flexibility and forward thinking of both counties administration, boards of health and health department staff.

The counties continue to proactively respond to the difficult fiscal environment being faced by working through differences and understanding that working together, within and across county lines, results in fiscal savings and enhanced services for their residents.

“Both Orleans and Genesee Counties are very proud of the results from the project and couldn’t be more pleased to share our success story with the other counties across the state so that they may benefit from what we have learned,” added Callard.

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Provided photos

MEDINA – Staff at the Orchard Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Medina joined the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women national movement today to help raise awareness and to save more lives.

The top photo includes, front row, from left: Laura Lechner, Nellie Garcia, Carrie Ryan, Amy Martin and RoseAnn Velesko. Back row: Jamie Murphy, Michele Clor, Laurie Seager, Luann Thompson, Judy May, Tabitha Miller, Jaime Tucker, Patty DiNardo, Lisa Giattino and Debbie Feltz.

More women than men die every year from heart disease and stroke. Go Red For Women advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. The movement harnesses the energy, passion, and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease and stroke.

Staff members made donations and wore red today to support the event.

Pictured, front row, from left: Cassidy Oliver, Desiree Braham, Elizabeth Schyve, Mary Luckman and Brenda Cherry. Back row: Richard Pizzuto and Jordon Snowdon.

Some members of the Orleans County Office for the Aging staff also wore red today. They include, from left: Melissa Blanar (director), Tammy Graham, Samantha, Koons, Amanda Edick, Michele Sargent (in back), Leanne Donovan, Susie Miller, Becky Karls and Chris Hermann.

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Provided photo: Kendall students last week gave a presentation on tobacco marketing and teen smoking.

Press Release, Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming

ALBION – At the Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition meeting on Jan. 26, Reality Check youth from Kendall Junior Senior High School presented research and evidence on the tobacco industry and their retail store marketing and advertising. The group’s single most important message was clear: “We’ve Seen Enough!”

After the presentation was complete, the student advocates answered questions and led a discussion on potential ways the community can take action in protecting children, as well as teens like them, from hard-hitting tobacco marketing that causes youth smoking.

“(I didn’t realize how) kids are targeted before they even walk in the store, with bright, colorful promotions on windows and walls,” said Reality Check member and Kendall student, Dillion Morgott. “Tobacco products are also placed alongside ads for snacks, candy and ice cream that kids know and love.”

In New York State, the average age of a new smoker is 13 years old, and 90 percent of adult smokers say they first tried smoking by age 18. The U.S. Surgeon General calls smoking a “pediatric epidemic” and says, “Advertising and promotional activities by tobacco companies have been shown to cause the onset and continuation of smoking among adolescents and young adults.”  Even with all of this data, research shows stores popular among adolescents contain almost three times more tobacco marketing materials compared to other stores in the same community.

Shelly Wolanske, youth engagement coordinator of Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties (TF-GLOW) and Reality Check leader, lauds her advocates’ efforts in educating lawmakers and community members about tobacco marketing and standing up for a healthier Orleans County.

“Their efforts, along with partner support from the Drug Free Communities Coalition members, we can continue to build awareness, promote action and create change that will have a positive impact for the children of our community,” she said.

For more information about TF-GLOW programs or Reality Check, contact Shelly Wolanske at 585-343-5997 or shelly.wolanske@roswellpark.org.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: Russ Peters, pastor of the Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship Church in Shelby, speaks during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn.

GAINES – As the community, state and country grapple with how to respond to an opioid crisis resulting in numerous overdose deaths, local churches in Orleans County are willing to help.

Russ Peters, pastor of the Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship in Shelby, said he has led several funeral services for people who have suffered fatal overdoses.

Drug addictions are plaguing the community, Peters said during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon attended by about 100 people. That event at the Village Inn was organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce and offered a forum to discuss issues.

Peters said several church leaders have formed Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation (PACT). Last week, PACT had prayer sessions at 6 p.m. from Monday through Friday at different churches. The opioid crisis is among the leading concerns for churches, Peters said.

PACT last year led discussions about addictions, the opioid crisis and overcoming barriers that keep people in poverty. Debbie Davis is founder of the faith-based “One Voice,” a non-profit organization that works with people fighting addictions in West Virginia. She met with the PACT leaders and the community last June to discuss how churches in her community reached out to people struggling with addictions and feelings of hopelessness.

Sheriff Randy Bower said the Sheriff’s Office has strengthened a partnership with 77 churches in the county.

“We will be reaching out,” Bower said during the Legislative Luncheon.

The Sheriff’s Office last year started a program in the county jail to help people with addictions.

“It’s near and dear to my heart,” Bower said. “We want to help these people.”

Bower said assisting people with addictions will reduce crimes, because many larcenies and burglaries are committed by people trying to fuel drug cravings.

Bower noted the governor’s budget includes $200 million more in the fight against opioid addictions.

The state earlier this month announced it would fund a methadone clinic in Batavia, open to people in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties, helping them to fight opioid addictions.

“It’s a very serious issue,” State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said. “It touches every strata.”

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Kellie Spychalski

ALBION – The former leader of the Arc of Orleans County has been picked to be the new leader of Hospice of Orleans. Kellie Spychalski will lead Hospice following the retirement of Mary Anne Fischer, who worked with Hospice since 1992, leading the organization since its infancy in Orleans County.

Spychalski was director of the Arc of Orleans before taking the director’s job for the Arc’s counterpart in Niagara County, Opportunities Unlimited. She worked 21 years for the Arc of Orleans, including two years as executive director.

The Hospice position gives Spychalski the chance to work much closer to her home in Holley.

Hospice announced Spychalski’s hiring today.

“I am honored and excited to have been selected to serve as the CEO for the Hospice of Orleans County,” Spychalski said in a statement. “I wholeheartedly believe that people should be empowered to make their own health care decisions including end of life care. Hospice of Orleans is a wonderful organization which provides outstanding care and support to people faced with life-limiting illness and their loved ones.

“My family and several of our close friends have seen first-hand the impact that Hospice has on families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors, staff, donors, community partners and the many caring and dedicated volunteers who make Hospice such a great organization and true asset to our community.”

The Hospice Board of Directors selected Spychalski after review of her education and experience which includes a MS in Health Care Administration, BS in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College, an AAS in Human Services from GCC, as well as a 30-year career in the field of human services in roles ranging from direct hands-on care to Corporate Compliance to Executive Director, most recently working with The Arc of Orleans County and Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara.

Spychalski also serves in the community through the Holley Board of Education in Holley as well as Orleans Community Health board of directors.

She lives in Holley with her husband Ron and is mother to 2 grown sons.

“I am excited about working together to continue to meet the needs of Orleans County residents and expand services and opportunities which enhance people’s quality of life,” she said. “Together we will build on the many successes Hospice has experienced over the past 25 years.”

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BATAVIA – The state announced today it is giving $820,000 to establish a methadone clinic in Batavia that will be open to people fighting opioid addictions in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

The methadone clinic will have room for 150 people at the outpatient clinic. It will be located at 430 East Main St. and includes an 1,100-square-foot addition.

The site will work with patients who are chronically addicted and haven’t had success using Suboxone to fight heroin and prescription drug addictions, said John Bennett, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

GCASA took the lead on the project after seeing a rise in opioid addictions locally, including many fatal overdoses. Many local patients have been driving to Rochester or Buffalo daily to receive treatment at methadone clinics.

Bennett said the clinic in Batavia will take 12-14 months to get ready, which includes new construction and developing the program. He expects the site will begin seeing patients in February-March 2018.

It will help people battling addictions, and should also reduce crime in the community because many people with opioid addictions will commit burglaries and larcenies trying to feed their drug addictions.

“These are people already in our community struggling with drug addiction, heroin or prescription medication,” Bennett said today.

The methadone clinic will provide medicine and counseling for patients, as well as structured activities, Bennett said.

The $820,000 for GCASA is part of $8.2 million announced today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for eight addiction treatment providers, serving 600 people total.

“This administration continues the fight against opioid and heroin addiction and this funding will help ensure more New Yorkers will get the help they need to get on the road to recovery,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “These new beds will help change lives and save lives, and bring us one step closer to a stronger and healthier New York for all.”

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If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, an estimated 2.7 million New Yorkers would lose coverage, including 4,522 in Orleans County, according to data from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Repealing the Affordable Care Act – “Obamacare” – would also cost the state $595 million in lost federal revenue with Orleans County seeing a loss of $667,917 to the county government, according to Cuomo.

“The cost of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, to state and local budgets and to the New Yorkers who depend on its health care coverage, is simply too high to justify,” Governor Cuomo said. “Since its implementation, the Affordable Care Act has become a powerful tool to lower the cost of health insurance for local governments and New Yorkers, and it is essential that the federal government does not jeopardize the health and livelihoods of millions of working families.”

The NY State of Health exchange has cut the percentage of uninsured New Yorkers in half, from 10 percent to 5 percent. It has also significantly expanded eligibility and access to health coverage, allowing hundreds of thousands of previously uninsured New Yorkers to achieve economic and healthcare security, Cuomo said.

George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said, “New York’s healthcare workers see the positive impact of the Affordable Care Act every day. Our patients are able to access preventative care instead of coming to emergency rooms in states of advanced illness. Our employers have reduced losses from uncompensated care. Our friends and relatives are relieved of the fear that getting sick equals financial ruin. Repealing the Affordable Care Act without an adequate replacement would have immediate and devastating consequences for millions of our fellow New Yorkers and for state and local budgets. We applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership in educating New Yorkers about costs and are proud to stand with him to advocate for the health all New Yorkers,”

Bea Grause, President of the Healthcare Association of New York, said, “In addition to providing care to those in need, hospitals are major employers in communities all across the state. Repeal of the ACA could have tremendous consequences for the delivery of healthcare and also in terms of jobs and economic activity. It’s imperative that Congress be mindful of this reality. I’m pleased to join the Governor in this important effort to protect New Yorkers.”

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Press Release, YWCA of Genesee County

BATAVIA – Just two years after launching the Care+Crisis Helpline throughout Genesee County, YWCA will be adding another component of the GLOW region to its list of customers as of Jan. 1, 2017.

Helpline staff has surpassed initial goals by thousands, with more than 14,780 calls and Live Chats taken in 2016. The addition of Orleans, a county bordering the northern section of Bergen west to Alabama, will mean the potential for thousands more calls fielded by trained Helpline specialists 24 hours a day.

This is a tremendous opportunity to offer Orleans County residents the same life-saving services and support that has been provided to Genesee County since Jan. 1, 2015, Helpline Program Manager Holly Baxter said.

“This includes working to prevent the suicide of those who are actively suicidal and to offer hope and caring to people in crisis,” Baxter said. “Every person in Orleans County who is going through a crisis can now find the help, support and encouragement that they need to solve their problems and have hope for tomorrow 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

YWCA is not the first agency to join forces with Orleans County – it has happened with Community Action and Mental Health Association to name two – and this partnership will only enhance the human services already available there, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

“Care+Crisis Helpline staff is continuously trained and updated on all forms of crisis, from substance abuse and terminal illness to domestic violence and mental health issues,” Walton said. “We are grateful to Orleans County officials for allowing us the opportunity to share this expertise in a compassionate way through the Helpline.”

There are several reasons why this move makes sense, said Mark O’Brien, director of Mental Health and Community Services at Orleans County. First and foremost, the Helpline has a “strong record” of successfully working with Genesee County.

“We do a lot of shared services and coordination with Genesee County Mental Health. We share constituents and consumers between our agencies,” he said. “The Helpline has an ability to handle a greater volume of calls and make referrals as needed. It supports our efforts to be more community-based and accessible.”

Orleans County Mental Health has made great strides in offering access to the public, including a satellite office at each of the five county school districts. His agency has Mobile Mental Health Crisis teams that serve children and adults, and ongoing cooperative efforts with county law enforcement.

“The Care+Crisis Helpline will be a primary way to triage and activate them,” O’Brien said. “This combines it all into one place.”

The Helpline is available 24/7 for any type of crisis and is free and confidential for callers. For more information, call toll-free at (844) 345-4400 or (585) 344-4400 or go to ywcagenesee.org and click on the Live Chat box that appears.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, left, and Nicole Cummings, a nuclear medicine technologist, look over a new nuclear medicine camera for radiology this afternoon at Medina Memorial Hospital.

The hospital spent about $300,000 to acquire the new equipment that replaces one that was 16 years old. The new nuclear medicine camera does quicker scans, with half the radiation dosage. The scans are also more accurate, said Jennifer Maynard, the director of imaging and cardia services for the hospital.

The hospital celebrated the new equipment with a ribbon-cutting today. Pictured from left include: Cindy Perry, director of Outreach, Education and Marketing for Community Partners; Dr. Dale Sponaugle, radiologist; Nicole Cummings, a nuclear medicine technologist; Jennifer Maynard, director of imaging and cardiac services for the hospital; and Sean Mulligan, CT and Molecular Imaging Product Sales Specialist at GE Healthcare.

Local officials look over the new equipment. Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans County, is at far right. He congratulated the hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health, for the upgrade.

“I applaud Orleans Community health for the continued investment in bringing new technology to Orleans County residents,” Pettit said.

Jennifer Maynard holds up a cake to celebrate the new nuclear medicine camera. The equipment can be used to check for cancer, thyroid problems, heart conditions and other health issues.

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