A Message from our Executive Director

Happy Summer! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather that we are having and staying cool when you need to. It is hot! As you know, I started with Rural Health Network on June 3rd and I have hit the ground running. I am meeting with staff, learning all things about the organization and continue to be amazed and excited about the programming our agency offers. I have started to reach out to area programs, agencies, and officials to introduce myself and meet. My goal is to see how our agencies and programs have networked and collaborated in the past and how we can build on these relationships. If I haven’t gotten in touch with you yet and you would like to meet, please reach out to me at dalberti@rhnscny.org and I would love to schedule some time.

The impact our services make on the communities in the counties we serve shows that our mission and vision is focused and needed. To learn more about the impact we have made, I invite you to read our Impact Report for 2023. It celebrates our 25 years of service in the communities and not only provides historical information and heartwarming stories about our program’s success, but also shows the dollar values of the economic impact our services have had on the communities at large. In my past work in the non-profit sector, I have collaborated with Rural Health Network on different projects. I always enjoyed working with the staff and programs. I now feel I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to work here and share in our mission and work. Thank you for your continued support and I cannot wait to see where the future brings us.

Demetra Alberti

Executive Director

Accepting Nominations for Our

Annual Rural Health Awards

Since 2020, Rural Health Network of SCNY has been recognizing individuals and organizations who have had an impact on rural health and well-being in our region. This year will mark our fifth year of presenting Rural Health Awards in the categories of Champion, Leader, Partner, and Practitioner. We are opening award nominations to our partners and introducing a fifth category for Emerging Rural Health Leader. 

 View our Prior Award Recipients

Nominations are due by August 9, 2024.

Exciting News - FaHN Receives Grant from the

Roger Kresge Foundation

We are thrilled to announce that the Food and Health Network (FaHN) program has been awarded $24,700 in funding from the Roger Kresge Foundation. This grant will support a vital project to improve food and nutrition security for children in Broome County by increasing access to nutritious, locally produced food and high-quality garden-based learning. Through this project, FaHN will work with K-12 schools and early childhood partners to develop or expand up to 10 garden projects. With support from Public Health AmeriCorps Farm to School members, these projects will offer garden-based learning and taste tests, and build connections with local foods served in the cafeteria.  

Rural Health Network has worked with school districts, school food service, farms, and community partners for 14 years to develop collaborative, successful farm to school programs in 29 districts across five counties, and more recently expanded these efforts to younger children through farm to early care and education (ECE). Since 2019, we have assisted 44 schools with funding and staff / AmeriCorps support for school garden projects. This new grant from the Roger Kresge Foundation allows us to build on this experience, expanding to more rural and underserved school buildings and early childhood settings in Broome County that have not previously received our support. The project also supports valuable leadership development opportunities for our Public Health AmeriCorps Farm to School members.

We thank the Roger Kresge Foundation for their generous support, enabling us to make a meaningful difference in our community's health and well-being!

Join Our Farm to School Team as a

Public Health AmeriCorps Member

We are in search of a dedicated individual who has a passion for the food system, enjoys working with youth, and wants to learn more about Farm to School.

Visit www.ruralhealthservicecorps.org for more information.

Enjoying Local Foods All Season Long

Harvest season is well underway and it's the perfect time to eat local. Our Produce Rx team has provided a chart of what you can expect to find at farmer's markets, in your CSA Share, or at a nearby roadside stand. Carrots are in season now through November. We encourage you to try the recipe for Maple Sweet Carrots developed in collaboration with our Farm to School partners.

Public Health AmeriCorps Members Wanted for Fall 2024

The Rural Health Service Corps is now taking applications for Fall 2024 Public Health AmeriCorps positions. There are several positions available in Broome, Chemung, Cortland and Tioga Counties. Host sites in Broome County include: Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network, the Food and Health Network of Rural Health Network SCNY, Truth Pharm, United Way of Broome County, Broome County Council of Churches, and VINES. There are additional positions available in Chemung County with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Cortland County with Seven Valleys Health Coalition, and Tioga County with the Tioga County Health Department.

Public Health AmeriCorps members will serve for 10-12 months (or have increased hours in a shorter time period). Every Public Health AmeriCorps member will receive a bi-weekly living allowance and an education award upon completion of their term. Total compensation is $20,676.50 for a 1200-hour term, $15,072.50 for a

900-hour term, and $11,317.14 for a 675-hour term.  College loan forbearance during a service term is another benefit available to those that desire it.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in serving please visit our website or reach out to Haley Desilet or Alexis Sankofa to find out more.

Welcoming New Team Members

Stephanie Button is returning as a Mobility and Transportation Advocate, having previously worked with Getthere from 2018-2022. Stephanie has spent the past 2 years living in North Carolina's Outer Banks working as a Program Technician for Easterseals UCP of North Carolina and Virginia. She is looking forward to collaborating with new and familiar faces at Rural Health Network and partner organizations.

In her free time, Stephanie likes to paddle board and hike with her three kids.

Allyson Tracy has joined our Community Health team as a Health Coach.

Allyson said, "I am from the Finger Lakes region and I am currently a senior studying Psychology with an education minor at SUNY Binghamton. I am also a student volunteer EMT on campus and have been involved in EMS for 5 years. I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings, from out in the community through EMS to hospital and outpatient settings and I have loved every experience and opportunity to work with patients. The past 5 years have really fostered my passion for working with people and working to make a positive impact on the lives of others."

"This fall I will be applying to OT (Occupational Therapy) school and will continue my journey in the healthcare community. I am very excited to start working with the team here at the Rural Health Network and I am looking forward to starting my work with clients and being able to make a difference in the community."

Public Notice

The Rural Health Network of South Central New York is accepting proposals for the development and implementation of marketing services to promote the Getthere mobility management program. To receive a copy of the Request for Proposals, please email ncecconi@rhnscny.org, call (607) 692-7669, or write to: Rural Health Network of South Central New York, 455 Court St. Binghamton, NY 13904. Proposals must be received by August 9th, 2024 at 4:30 PM EDT. Please see the full RFP for submission details.

Ready for Weather Continues for Two More Weeks

Our Ready for Weather training series has been getting great reviews from participants. There are still two opportunities to learn about the impacts that extreme weather has on our mental and physical well-being.

Join us next week to discuss the differences in resources across rural and urban

communities, and navigate a climate scenario with other participants. Everyone who attends will take home free items to help stay safe during extreme weather. In each session, all of the prior handouts and free giveaways will be available - so don’t miss out!

The Ready for Weather series will continue at 1 PM Tuesdays July 23 and July 30 at Rural Health Network, 455 Court St. Binghamton.

Click here to sign up, or contact Brianna Wynne. 

See you there!

Thankful for Support!

Northern Broome CARES is proud to announce that fundraising and grant-writing efforts have brought in over $4,000 for our program in the last two months. Read on to learn more & consider making a matching contribution to help these dollars go even further for older adults in Northern Broome!

Binghamton University's Stephen David Ross Fund has awarded $3,000 toward a lending closet of supplies for staff and interns to bring on home visits. The grant is awarded to organizations who partner with Binghamton University Departments for special projects; our most recent Master's of Social Work intern Jessica Nicholas led the grant writing effort. The home visit supply closet will be stocked with games, art supplies, journaling activities, and other goodies, to give a more personalized home visit experience. Northern Broome CARES staff is incredibly thankful for this opportunity and are looking forward to seeing the smiles on clients' faces when we are able to provide a new home visit experience.

In May, Northern Broome CARES partnered with the Whitney Point Caryl E Adams Elementary school to run a "loose change" fundraiser. Students were encouraged to bring in loose change to their class-specific mason jar, with the winning class earning themselves an ice cream party. Students in Pre-K 4-3rd grade raised $518 to go towards the Northern Broome CARES Christmas for Seniors project, with the winning class raising approximately $120. We were blown away by this show of generosity and support from the students and their families! The class who raised the most money was treated to an ice cream sundae bar, complete with various toppings. Northern Broome CARES staff plan to make this a yearly fundraiser through our partnership with the school. As of the time of publication, an additional $500 was donated anonymously by a generous community member to match the students' efforts.

Pictured above, Program Coordinator Megan Arenas-Cardoso with the loose change donated by students.

News, Articles of Interest, and Resources

NYHealth Webinar - Expanding Equitable Access to Telehealth

NY Health Foundation is hosting a webinar on Thursday, July 25 at 1 PM. It will feature the release of new policy recommendations from Manatt Health on enhancing equitable access to telehealth for all New Yorkers. Learn More.

New Beginnings Apostolic Church is Hosting a Free Health Fair August 3

NBAC invites the public and interested health-focused vendors to join them on Saturday, August 3 from 9 AM to 3 PM at 1288 Vestal Ave., Binghamton. If your organization is interested in having a table or activity, please contact Ingrid Constable-Clarke. You are welcome to share the flyer with clients or colleagues.

NYS Association for Rural Health Symposium

Registration is now open for the NYSARH Symposium being held in Binghamton September 19-20. Learn more about this premier gathering for healthcare, public health, and key stakeholders interested in rural health innovations, attracting attention from all sectors.

Save the Date - Rural Health Network Showcase, October 21

Rural Health Network of SCNY will host our second annual fundraising event on Monday, October 21st. We hope you will join us in celebrating our Rural Health Awardees. Watch for more details about the event in the coming months.

Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation

RHIhub has recently updated their topic guide that provides information and resources on conducting rural health research, needs assessments, and program evaluation for rural programs.

Save the Date - National Rural Health Day

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and rural-focused organizations throughout the United States set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America. Learn More

2023 Impact Report