Southern Tier EMT-B Academy I am excited to report that the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has notified us that they have chosen to support our Southern Tier EMT-B Academy project for a second year of funding. We recently met with Michelle Brown, Programs and Grants Officer with the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, to discuss our new award. We discussed with Michelle that we intend to increase the number of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and improve the health outcomes of patients in need of EMS services in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties. This will be done by coordinating an EMT-B course offered to eligible students from the catchment area, primarily poor and disadvantaged aged 17-25. To help overcome barriers for these students, the academy will be provided at no cost to students, including their required uniforms, textbooks, and state exam fees. Students will also receive a stipend during the academy to concentrate on their training program without also having to work full-time. Recruitment will take place through several different avenues, such as through the counties’ Departments of Labor, to reach unemployed or underemployed individuals. STHCS is proud to be selected as a Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Grantee, and we are energized by this opportunity to improve the health and wellness of our New York Community. Embracing Best Practices in Nonprofit Governance and Management Yesterday, I attended a webinar hosted by the CBO Consortium of Upstate NY and Healthy Community Alliance on “Embracing Best Practices in Nonprofit Governance and Management” presented by Amy Coates-Madsen from The Standards for Excellence Institute. The Standards for Excellence Institute is a national initiative established to promote the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, and operations and help all nonprofit organizations meet these high benchmarks. I want to thank the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York for supporting Healthy Community Alliance and making this webinar opportunity possible. Update Link American Heart MonthThis February, we are uniting for American Heart Month to help Reclaim Your Rhythm to live longer, healthier, fuller lives. After more than 18 months into this pandemic, Americans feel overwhelmed and stressed, which negatively impacts cardiovascular health. Heart disease deaths rose significantly in the past year. Cardiovascular diseases remain the greatest health threat to our communities, but the pressures of COVID-19 remain top of mind. People are suffering from lower physical health and mental well-being, as well as uncontrolled high blood pressure. Join STHCS and help us kick off #HEARTMONTH on National Wear Red Day™ by wearing red on February 4, 2022! WNY Digital Equity Coalition Grant I am pleased to announce that the Moving Forward Together Coalition has received a grant from the WNY Digital Equity Coalition for the expansion of the current work of the coalition to address barriers to digital inclusion or digital equity. This project is working to increase access to internet service in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties to allow individuals in treatment for substance use disorder to access telehealth counseling services essential for their recovery. With the funds received, we will be able to add an additional site to our proposed tele-suite network. Our Program Coordinator, Jordan, was able to work on this successful application and I want to thank the WNY Digital Equity Coalition for funding our proposal. Update Link |
ABOUTDonna Kahm has served as President and CEO at STHCS since January 2007. |