CCSI News and Updates

It’s been a busy first quarter and we’re packing a lot in this first newsletter of 2023! Here’s a quick sketch of just some of the stories you’ll find in this month’s edition:



• Learn more about the statewide Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (TINRC). We're very excited to be partnering with the New York State Office of Mental Health on this expanded network and resource center, which will continue to advance the understanding and use of trauma-informed principles across the state. Read more about the network and resources that will benefit your organization.

New York State Office of Mental Health Partners with CCSI on Expanded Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center

NYS OMH recently announced their plans to partner with CCSI to expand the Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (TINRC). This statewide network was established in 2016 to: advance our collective understanding of trauma and the significant ways in which it impacts the health and well-being of all New Yorkers; spread the use of trauma-informed principles; and increase the availability of trauma-informed services throughout the state. NYS OMH will be providing $9.5M in funding over the next five years to drive the continued expansion of this important resource.

Welcome, Kesha James and Shane Wiegand!

The Antiracist Curriculum Project Empowers Students, Educators, and Communities to Explore the Local History of Racism and Civil Rights

The Antiracist Curriculum Project team has worked with students, educators, and community members in the co-creation, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum and instructional resources about Rochester’s local history of racism and civil rights. These resources allow learners to explore and interpret their local history through rich primary sources. The goal is to equip learners to be critical consumers of information, share their unique perspectives, and work collaboratively to make claims supported by evidence. Ultimately, the project works to cultivate more informed and engaged community members to build a more just and equitable society.

CLMHD Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training Series

Be sure to check out the Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (CLMHD) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion three-part training series! Our Chief Diversity Officer, Kesha Carter walks attendees through each part including: laying the foundation, the cycle of socialization, and managing change to create an inclusive community. View training recordings, PowerPoints, and resources from the series on their website.

Working with Diverse Populations: Paying Attention to Implicit Bias, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppressive Practices and Racialized Trauma

In the most recent webinar from the New York Psychiatric Rehabilitation Training Academy funded by NYS Office of Mental Health, CCSI’s Lenora Reid-Rose and Marie Gillium presented a webinar exploring the relationships between implicit bias, racialized trauma, anti-racism, and anti-oppressive practices. They shared resources and strategies to sharpen racial analysis and deepen understanding of implicit bias, while also assisting in mitigating the impact of bias within systems of care, and more specifically, in how psychiatric rehabilitation services are provided. Also be sure to tune into the accompanying podcast with special guest Kelly Dumas, BestSelf Chief Operating Officer.

Mental Health in Communities of Color: Breaking the Stigma and Silence and Prioritizing Needs

This free community educational session will address Mental Health in Communities of Color. The aftermath of COVID-19, natural disasters, social determinants of health, heightened levels of grief, loss and violence, and persuasive and persistent systemic racism has been devastating for our communities. Now is the time to take bold and intentional action. These unexpected and tragic experiences also present unprecedented opportunities to do things differently, with a freshly culturally informed and equitable lens at all levels. The goal is to engage in dialogue to highlight the diversity of needs for both children and families across systems and collectively work together to identify strategies to improve care and prioritize next steps for our communities.

Handling Stress Within the Classroom Community

In episode #6 of the EduCast podcast from the School District of Altoona in Wisconsin, CCSI’s Amy Scheel-Jones, Director, Trauma Informed Care & TIG discusses what we can do as educators and caregivers when working with children who have experienced trauma and stress, especially as a result of the pandemic. Amy and Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent of Altoona, cover a lot of ground in this brief episode including ways we can support youth to grow more resilient, the importance of developing positive relationships with youth, how to maintain our own wellness as adults in their lives, and more.  

Key Takeaways from the 2023 Open Minds Performance Management Institute

In February, more than 450 health and human services executives gathered to hear from dozens of thought leaders and industry experts at the 2023 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Institute. The institute featured the Open Minds CFO Summit, where CCSI's David Wawrzynek, Senior Director, Fiscal Practice Improvement, presented the Financial Opportunities of Understanding Your Unit Costs and the CFO Role in Preparing for Value-Based Contracting. David shared with us his top takeaways from this year's institute.

Crisis Response Technical Assistance Offerings

As a result of the growing need for community-based crisis response, New York State is seeking to expand the services provided by crisis response teams. CCSI has developed a series of technical assistance offerings specifically designed to meet the needs of crisis providers, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of your crisis services. The technical assistance offerings can be tailored to your agency’s degree of experience in each area, ranging from introductory to advanced, as well as your agency's needs and goals.

Community-Based Organization (CBO) Planning & Education Series

Save the Date: April 13th at noon

Register at the link below to save the date for session 2 in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Community-Based Organization Hub Series. This webinar series is tailored to the CBO community and supports regional education and planning for the systems changes shaping the health and human services sector. The April 13th session will be a discussion with Sheila Poole, Vice President, External Relations, at American Public Human Services Association (APHSA). Also, if you missed the March session, Context for Change, visit the Hub to watch the recordings.

CCSI Wins 2023 Top Workplaces Honor and Special DEI Award

CCSI has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 Honor, along with a special Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Award by the Democrat & Chronicle. The recognition is based solely on employee feedback that was gathered through a research-backed, confidential third-party survey measuring 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization. Our leadership at CCSI recognizes the Top Workplaces recognition as an opportunity to celebrate employees, as well as to attract and retain dedicated professionals who provide CCSI’s business management and technical assistance services across New York State. This recognition comes after CCSI was honored at the end of 2022 for an additional Top Workplaces award, the Woman-Led Top Workplaces Award for Cultural Excellence.

CCSI is Growing!

CCSI has a need for talented professionals looking to contribute their expertise, expand their influence, and manage their careers to meet personal aspirations. We offer opportunities across different service lines, geographies, and functions.

Want to hear more? If you haven’t yet had the chance, we hope you’ll check out our social media pages for more CCSI news and resources.