HFWCNY 2021 Annual Report

connections 2021 Annual Report

mission

Pictured on cover: Lifespan clients Diane S. and Inez M.

To improve the health and health

Board of Trustees 2021-22 Richard Battaglia, M.D. Chima Chionuma, M.D. Angela M. Douglas Raymond R. D’Agostino Andrew Dorn

care of the people

Denise Dunford

and communities

Cheryl Smith Fisher, Chair

of western and

Arthur R. Goshin, M.D., M.P.H (Advisor)

central New York.

s

Leanne F. Fiscoe Carrie B. Frank, Treasurer Joanne E. Haefner LaToya M. Jones Kevin B. Klotzbach

ince 2020, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has been committed to a vision and strategic plan rooted in racial and socioeconomic health equity. This journey has taught us crucial lessons about the role we play

in the community and the importance of trust, listening, and respect in our pursuit of more equitable grantmaking.

From the time the Health Foundation was founded, we have always believed in going “beyond the check” to build collaborative programs and partnerships that tackle the root causes of health care issues. Now, twenty years later, we understand more than ever how important those connections are—connections with the community, with

Elizabeth L. Mauro

nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of this work, and

Marybeth K. McCall, M.D., Secretary

with our funding partners in philanthropy.

vision

David A. Milling, M.D., At-Large Ann Sedore, Vice Chair

Throughout 2021, we built new relationships in sometimes

Cynthia Rich

nontraditional ways, and took advantage of technology that

A healthy central

Michael D. Shaffer, C.P.A

enabled us to work with new and old partners across the

and western New

Gary Williams

York where racial

Staff

and socioeconomic

Marnie Annese Program Officer

As we continue to listen, learn, and adapt in our pursuit of

Jordan Bellassai Program Officer

the privilege of joining us on that journey. Please enjoy this

equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes.

Carrie Whitwood

Coralie Brown Grants Officer Steve Copps Office Manager Roxanne Cuebas Program Manager Leslie Daniel Executive Assistant to the President

region, state, and country. This report shares the highlights of those connections—from an advocacy initiative that enabled central New Yorkers to access health care with the help of their local library, to a school-based caregiver respite program that builds bridges across generations.

health equity, we send thanks to the partners who grant us look back at 2021.

Sincerely, Cheryl Smith Fisher Chair, Board of Trustees

Valerie Gaydosh Director of Finance and Administration Kenneth M. Genewick Senior Program Officer for Caregiving Kerry Jones Waring Vice President for Communications Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD President

Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD President

Kent A. H. Olden Communications Content Manager

2

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

Diane Oyler, PhD Vice President of Programs

2021 Annual Report

3

mission

Board of Trustees 2021-22 To improve the health and health

Richard Battaglia, M.D. Chima Chionuma, M.D. Angela M. Douglas Raymond R. D’Agostino Andrew Dorn

care of the people

Denise Dunford

and communities

Cheryl Smith Fisher, Chair

of western and

Arthur R. Goshin, M.D., M.P.H (Advisor)

central New York.

s

Leanne F. Fiscoe Carrie B. Frank, Treasurer Joanne E. Haefner LaToya M. Jones Kevin B. Klotzbach

ince 2020, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has been committed to a vision and strategic plan rooted in racial and socioeconomic health equity. This journey has taught us crucial lessons about the role we play

in the community and the importance of trust, listening, and respect in our pursuit of more equitable grantmaking.

From the time the Health Foundation was founded, we have always believed in going “beyond the check” to build collaborative programs and partnerships that tackle the root causes of health care issues. Now, twenty years later, we understand more than ever how important those connections are—connections with the community, with

Elizabeth L. Mauro

nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of this work, and

Marybeth K. McCall, M.D., Secretary

with our funding partners in philanthropy.

vision

David A. Milling, M.D., At-Large Ann Sedore, Vice Chair

Throughout 2021, we built new relationships in sometimes

Cynthia Rich

nontraditional ways, and took advantage of technology that

A healthy central

Michael D. Shaffer, C.P.A

enabled us to work with new and old partners across the

and western New

Gary Williams

York where racial

Staff

and socioeconomic

Marnie Annese Program Officer

As we continue to listen, learn, and adapt in our pursuit of

Jordan Bellassai Program Officer

the privilege of joining us on that journey. Please enjoy this

equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes.

Carrie Whitwood

Coralie Brown Grants Officer Steve Copps Office Manager Roxanne Cuebas Program Manager Leslie Daniel Executive Assistant to the President

region, state, and country. This report shares the highlights of those connections—from an advocacy initiative that enabled central New Yorkers to access health care with the help of their local library, to a school-based caregiver respite program that builds bridges across generations.

health equity, we send thanks to the partners who grant us look back at 2021.

Sincerely, Cheryl Smith Fisher Chair, Board of Trustees

Valerie Gaydosh Director of Finance and Administration Kenneth M. Genewick Senior Program Officer for Caregiving Kerry Jones Waring Vice President for Communications Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD President

Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD President

Kent A. H. Olden Communications Content Manager

2

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

Diane Oyler, PhD Vice President of Programs

2021 Annual Report

3

2021 Awarded Grants

Elmcrest Children’s Center Northside Early Education Center Outreach $44,000

The Philanthropic Initiative Western New York Caregiver Respite Program Expansion $375,000

Fulton Block Builders Neighborhood Revitalization Project $10,000

Population Health Collaborative Live Well WNY $13,750

ABC Cayuga Play Space Expanded Services $50,500

Grantmakers in Aging Age-Friendly Communities Session $10,000

Read to Succeed Buffalo AARP Experience Corp Buffalo $150,000

Ardent Solutions One Caring Adult $8,120

Growing Up Strong HealthySteps Coordinated Project $225,000

Buffalo Center for Health Equity $300,000

Healthcare Association of New York State Building An Age-Friendly Health System: New York State Action Community $189,411

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center HPV Vaccination in Rural Primary Care Settings $10,000

Cayuga Community Health Network Doula Partnership of Cayuga, Cortland, and Madison Counties Pilot Program $125,000

Healthy Community Alliance Public Policy Advocacy Training $5,200

Community Connections of New York $336,050 Child Care Solutions $460,950 PEDALS in CNY: Transition to Hub

Holy Cross Head Start Cavity-Free Kids $2,500

The Community at Sunset Wood Aging in Place with AI $10,000 Community Service Society of New York Reaching the Five Percent: Outreach and Enrollment $250,000 Community Service Society of New York Reaching the Five Percent: Outreach and Enrollment Year 2 $325,000 CoNECT ANCHOR $10,000 Education Development Center Building Capacity to Address Elder Mistreatment $26,000

An Update On Our Strategic Plan In 2020, the Health Foundation committed to a new strategic plan and vision: A healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes.

Our team has approached each stage of this work with a desire to listen and learn from those who are closest to equity issues in our community. We recognize the historical power structures that exist between philanthropic organizations and grant recipients, and are committed to understanding and addressing those imbalances.

Solutions Journalism Network Finding Solutions: Connecting with Elusive Caregivers $18,125

Health Workforce Collaborative Health Workforce Hub $75,000

Children’s Consortium Circle of Security Parenting Support $10,000

Building Trust In Pursuit Of Equity:

State University of New York at Oswego Recollection: Storytelling through Mementos 3.0 $20,980

This work is taking many forms; learning from peer organizations who are centering equity, listening to the needs of grassroots organizations providing frontline services to the community, and examining our own internal policies and procedures to identify where we can reduce or eliminate barriers to new partnerships.

SUNY Upstate Medical University Thinking Healthy Plus $169,950 United Way of Greater Rochester WNY Intermediary Collaboration and Nonprofit Support Project $40,000

Human Services Leadership Council of CNY Operational Support $10,000

We are better understanding how we can approach grantmaking within the principles of

University at Buffalo Health in the Neighborhood $10,000

InterFaith Works of Central New York Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Support $10,000

trust-based philanthropy—an approach that is rooted in a set of values that help center equity, shift power, and build mutually accountable relationships between funders and grantees.

University at Buffalo Tip Top Flip Flop $1,385

“Some foundations just send you a check and you send them a report, but the Health Foundation really wants to build a relationship, and we couldn’t have reached this point without you.”

SHARI WEISS Cayuga Community Health Network Executive Director

As a Practice Partner in the Equitable Love Living at Home Health and Wellness Initiative $19,500

Westcott Community Center Well-Being for Seniors Planning Phase $10,000

New York Funders Alliance WNY Nonprofit Support Group $108,000

Evaluation Initiative, we are collaborating with funders across the nation to develop new perspectives on evaluation and learning that advance equity and trust.

Western New York Nonprofit Support Group Catchafire Renewal $47,250

New York Funders Alliance Initiatives Fund Liftoff WNY $90,000

YWCA Jamestown TEAM Project $10,000

To read descriptions of these projects, visit our website: Quarter 01



Quarter 02



Quarter 03



Quarter 04



Through each of our grant partnerships, we witness how a trust-based approach can strengthen our relationship with grantees, enhance the impact of programming, and provide opportunities for us to learn together.

In the process of preparing this report, Cayuga Community Health Network Executive Director Shari Weiss shared the following about their partnership with the Health Foundation:

We are humbled to receive feedback like this.

But, we also recognize we are in the early stages of a journey that does not have an endpoint, but is an ongoing commitment to learning and improving. Our team will remain committed to incorporating the principles and practices of trustbased philanthropy at each level of our work.

2021 Annual Report

5

2021 Awarded Grants

Elmcrest Children’s Center Northside Early Education Center Outreach $44,000

The Philanthropic Initiative Western New York Caregiver Respite Program Expansion $375,000

Fulton Block Builders Neighborhood Revitalization Project $10,000

Population Health Collaborative Live Well WNY $13,750

ABC Cayuga Play Space Expanded Services $50,500

Grantmakers in Aging Age-Friendly Communities Session $10,000

Read to Succeed Buffalo AARP Experience Corp Buffalo $150,000

Ardent Solutions One Caring Adult $8,120

Growing Up Strong HealthySteps Coordinated Project $225,000

Buffalo Center for Health Equity $300,000

Healthcare Association of New York State Building An Age-Friendly Health System: New York State Action Community $189,411

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center HPV Vaccination in Rural Primary Care Settings $10,000

Cayuga Community Health Network Doula Partnership of Cayuga, Cortland, and Madison Counties Pilot Program $125,000

Healthy Community Alliance Public Policy Advocacy Training $5,200

Community Connections of New York PEDALS in CNY: Transition to Hub $799,500

Holy Cross Head Start Cavity-Free Kids $2,500

The Community at Sunset Wood Aging in Place with AI $10,000 Community Service Society of New York Reaching the Five Percent: Outreach and Enrollment $250,000 Community Service Society of New York Reaching the Five Percent: Outreach and Enrollment Year 2 $325,000 CoNECT ANCHOR $10,000 Education Development Center Building Capacity to Address Elder Mistreatment $26,000

An Update On Our Strategic Plan In 2020, the Health Foundation committed to a new strategic plan and vision: A healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes.

Our team has approached each stage of this work with a desire to listen and learn from those who are closest to equity issues in our community. We recognize the historical power structures that exist between philanthropic organizations and grant recipients, and are committed to understanding and addressing those imbalances.

Solutions Journalism Network Finding Solutions: Connecting with Elusive Caregivers $18,125

Health Workforce Collaborative Health Workforce Hub $75,000

Children’s Consortium Circle of Security Parenting Support $10,000

Building Trust In Pursuit Of Equity:

State University of New York at Oswego Recollection: Storytelling through Mementos 3.0 $20,980

This work is taking many forms; learning from peer organizations who are centering equity, listening to the needs of grassroots organizations providing frontline services to the community, and examining our own internal policies and procedures to identify where we can reduce or eliminate barriers to new partnerships.

SUNY Upstate Medical University Thinking Healthy Plus $169,950 United Way of Greater Rochester WNY Intermediary Collaboration and Nonprofit Support Project $40,000

Human Services Leadership Council of CNY Operational Support $10,000

We are better understanding how we can approach grantmaking within the principles of

University at Buffalo Health in the Neighborhood $10,000

InterFaith Works of Central New York Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Support $10,000

trust-based philanthropy—an approach that is rooted in a set of values that help center equity, shift power, and build mutually accountable relationships between funders and grantees.

University at Buffalo Tip Top Flip Flop $1,385

“Some foundations just send you a check and you send them a report, but the Health Foundation really wants to build a relationship, and we couldn’t have reached this point without you.”

SHARI WEISS Cayuga Community Health Network Executive Director

As a Practice Partner in the Equitable Love Living at Home Health and Wellness Initiative $19,500

Westcott Community Center Well-Being for Seniors Planning Phase $10,000

New York Funders Alliance WNY Nonprofit Support Group $108,000

Evaluation Initiative, we are collaborating with funders across the nation to develop new perspectives on evaluation and learning that advance equity and trust.

Western New York Nonprofit Support Group Catchafire Renewal $47,250

New York Funders Alliance Initiatives Fund Liftoff WNY $90,000

YWCA Jamestown TEAM Project $10,000

To read descriptions of these projects, visit our website: Quarter 01



Quarter 02



Quarter 03



Quarter 04



Through each of our grant partnerships, we witness how a trust-based approach can strengthen our relationship with grantees, enhance the impact of programming, and provide opportunities for us to learn together.

In the process of preparing this report, Cayuga Community Health Network Executive Director Shari Weiss shared the following about their partnership with the Health Foundation:

We are humbled to receive feedback like this.

But, we also recognize we are in the early stages of a journey that does not have an endpoint, but is an ongoing commitment to learning and improving. Our team will remain committed to incorporating the principles and practices of trustbased philanthropy at each level of our work.

2021 Annual Report

5

COVID-19 Community Response Funds: Stronger Together When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit our community, funders in both western and central New York came together to leverage our strengths and support frontline workers and the most critical community needs. In the two years since, we have moved from “uncertain times” to “the new normal,” but our commitment continues as we support the next stages of addressing these issues by partnering on COVID-19 community response funds.

Central New York COVID-19 Fund In April 2020, we announced our partnership with the Central New York COVID-19 Community Support Fund.

Led by the Central New York Community Foundation, the fund was created to support nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by economic consequences of the pandemic. As of March 2021, the CNY COVID-19 Fund contributed over $2 million in response grants to meet community needs.

In 2021, the Health Foundation committed $274,000 to Home Headquarters (HHQ) through 2023, with the first $180,000 distributed for the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corporation (SMNC) project.

These funds enabled HHQ to address the COVID crisis as it affected SMNC and the more than 200 affordable housing units it oversees. Future funds are being allocated to provide additional support in addressing housing matters such as housing code compliance, lead paint issues, and other challenges. The Health Foundation also contributed $50,000 to the general Community Response Fund.

Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund In March 2020, the Health Foundation announced its participation in the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund in partnership with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the John R. Oishei Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo as lead funders. The fund focused on addressing the eight counties of Western New York ’s immediate needs including health, human services, food, childcare, and the needs of frontline responders.

Starting in June 2020, the fund, made up of more than 100 foundations and other partners, began to focus on long-term systemic needs that had been highlighted by the impact of the pandemic in an effort known as Moving Forward Together. The group issued a call to the community for proposals to collaboratively tackle longstanding issues. Additionally, microgrants ranging from $500 to $2,500 were used to rapidly deploy resources to small urban and rural organizations to address immediate needs.

In 2021, $4.5 million was awarded to 328 organizations through Moving Forward Together, including $161,000 from the Health Foundation. The Health Foundation contributed $145,000 in funding to Moving Forward Together grants and $16,000 was assigned to microgrants.

Moving Forward Together partners are currently examining funding needs for 2022 that include implementation grants for food futures; housing stability; race matters systems change to improve health outcomes in Buffalo; and the implementation of both a new 211 WNY and WNY Digital Equity Coalition.

On-The-Ground Resources To Strengthen Nonprofits While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the capacity of nonprofits everywhere, the resource issues many organizations face—in areas like funding, staffing, and organizational development—have been a challenge for years.

The Health Foundation has always been committed to supporting our community’s nonprofits with technical assistance that goes beyond the check— providing support for and access to resources that can strengthen their ability to deliver services.

This year, Health Foundation programs like CoCreating Well-Being and Exhale, the WNY Caregiver Initiative, helped organizations find new solutions to community needs through human-centered design principles. Human-centered design is an approach to problem solving that provides a framework for understanding people’s needs and experiences, generating ideas to meet those needs, and then testing solutions with the people that will use the program or service. Often, this process has enabled grantees to not only develop solutions-driven projects through the program, but also to integrate human-centered initiatives throughout their organization.

In 2020, the Health Foundation partnered with other funders through the WNY Nonprofit Support Group to fund a cohort of grantees to access Catchafire, a service that connects nonprofit organizations with skills-based volunteers that provide resources for these organizations at no cost. Participants may use Catchafire to find experts in marketing, organizational development, human resources, or more. From 2020 through 2021, 153 participating nonprofit organizations saved over $2 million in costs by using Catchafire’s services. Cohort 2 of participating organizations launched in early 2022.

$2 million saved with Catchafire 6

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

153

for nonprofits

2021 Annual Report

7

COVID-19 Community Response Funds: Stronger Together When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit our community, funders in both western and central New York came together to leverage our strengths and support frontline workers and the most critical community needs. In the two years since, we have moved from “uncertain times” to “the new normal,” but our commitment continues as we support the next stages of addressing these issues by partnering on COVID-19 community response funds.

Central New York COVID-19 Fund In April 2020, we announced our partnership with the Central New York COVID-19 Community Support Fund.

Led by the Central New York Community Foundation, the fund was created to support nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by economic consequences of the pandemic. As of March 2021, the CNY COVID-19 Fund contributed over $2 million in response grants to meet community needs.

In 2021, the Health Foundation committed $274,000 to Home Headquarters (HHQ) through 2023, with the first $180,000 distributed for the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corporation (SMNC) project.

These funds enabled HHQ to address the COVID crisis as it affected SMNC and the more than 200 affordable housing units it oversees. Future funds are being allocated to provide additional support in addressing housing matters such as housing code compliance, lead paint issues, and other challenges. The Health Foundation also contributed $50,000 to the general Community Response Fund.

Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund In March 2020, the Health Foundation announced its participation in the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund in partnership with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the John R. Oishei Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo as lead funders. The fund focused on addressing the eight counties of Western New York ’s immediate needs including health, human services, food, childcare, and the needs of frontline responders.

Starting in June 2020, the fund, made up of more than 100 foundations and other partners, began to focus on long-term systemic needs that had been highlighted by the impact of the pandemic in an effort known as Moving Forward Together. The group issued a call to the community for proposals to collaboratively tackle longstanding issues. Additionally, microgrants ranging from $500 to $2,500 were used to rapidly deploy resources to small urban and rural organizations to address immediate needs.

In 2021, $4.5 million was awarded to 328 organizations through Moving Forward Together, including $161,000 from the Health Foundation. The Health Foundation contributed $145,000 in funding to Moving Forward Together grants and $16,000 was assigned to microgrants.

Moving Forward Together partners are currently examining funding needs for 2022 that include implementation grants for food futures; housing stability; race matters systems change to improve health outcomes in Buffalo; and the implementation of both a new 211 WNY and WNY Digital Equity Coalition.

On-The-Ground Resources To Strengthen Nonprofits While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the capacity of nonprofits everywhere, the resource issues many organizations face—in areas like funding, staffing, and organizational development—have been a challenge for years.

The Health Foundation has always been committed to supporting our community’s nonprofits with technical assistance that goes beyond the check— providing support for and access to resources that can strengthen their ability to deliver services.

This year, Health Foundation programs like CoCreating Well-Being and Exhale, the WNY Caregiver Initiative, helped organizations find new solutions to community needs through human-centered design principles. Human-centered design is an approach to problem solving that provides a framework for understanding people’s needs and experiences, generating ideas to meet those needs, and then testing solutions with the people that will use the program or service. Often, this process has enabled grantees to not only develop solutions-driven projects through the program, but also to integrate human-centered initiatives throughout their organization.

In 2020, the Health Foundation partnered with other funders through the WNY Nonprofit Support Group to fund a cohort of grantees to access Catchafire, a service that connects nonprofit organizations with skills-based volunteers that provide resources for these organizations at no cost. Participants may use Catchafire to find experts in marketing, organizational development, human resources, or more. From 2020 through 2021, 153 participating nonprofit organizations saved over $2 million in costs by using Catchafire’s services. Cohort 2 of participating organizations launched in early 2022.

$2 million saved with Catchafire 6

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

153

for nonprofits

2021 Annual Report

7

Health Care Advocacy In 2021:

Overcoming Barriers To Health Care Access In Central New York

Closing The Gap And Meeting People Where They Are

With the support of the Health Foundation, NY Statewide Senior Action Council is also leading a comprehensive program based on the findings from Reaching the Five Percent. Using the report as a starting point, Statewide convened focus groups throughout central New York to identify the most urgent health care needs, and then established a CNY Health Task Force made up of community members in each county to begin addressing those issues.

In 2017, the Health Foundation made a commitment to advocating for health care for all New Yorkers—work that is reflected in our mid-term goal that equitable care and insurance are available and accessible for all people. We pursue this goal through three strategies: defend and strengthen what works; support policy efforts to close the coverage gap; and improve access to existing programs. Our advocacy work took on many forms this year, including the following highlights.

Strategies And Tactics To Improve Coverage Rates In 2021, Community Service Society of New York (CSS) launched efforts to close the enrollment gap that built on findings from Reaching the Five Percent, a report published by the Health Foundation and United Hospital Fund in 2019. Reaching the Five Percent found that about five percent of New Yorkers remain uninsured, and almost two-thirds of that group are eligible for Medicaid or health care subsidies.

With the aim of reaching and enrolling these eligible but uninsured New Yorkers, CSS developed a three-phase program in western and central New York. Key to this program is development of a network of Outreach and Enrollment Specialists (OES) to locate consumers who are eligible for affordable health insurance coverage and enroll them; and equipping navigator and facilitated enroller agencies already working in underserved communities with new outreach messages and strategies to close the enrollment gap.

Connecting Health Care, Racial, And Aging Justice In Our Advocacy Work In 2021, the Health Foundation used our platform to advocate for several efforts that underscore the intersections between racial, health care, and aging justice issues.

When the American Rescue Plan (ARP) brought a significant infusion of funds to state and local governments, the Health Foundation was proud to support a campaign led by the Buffalo Center for Health Equity that convened dozens of organizations from across sectors in the greater Buffalo area. This convening helped identify key priorities that could benefit from ARP

“The report made it clear that there were a lot of people in our community that were not accessing health care even if they were eligible for it—so we started to try to identify some of the root causes of these issues,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of NY Statewide Senior Action Council.

Maria notes that while the Statewide team established the Task Forces, participating community members are the true owners of these groups, as their input has been instrumental in identifying priority issues to address. The Statewide team is helping participants become more involved and step into leadership roles for each Task Force to ensure the groups are sustainable and have a long-term impact.

When the Task Forces recognized that internet access would be critically important to health care during the pandemic, Statewide launched the Community Telehealth Access Project (CTAP) by partnering with public libraries in central New York. The funding helped establish dedicated telehealth spaces in libraries in each county and provided these spaces with technology like tablets and headphones.

funding to improve health equity in our region, and those recommendations were compiled and presented to local elected officials to help inform related funding decisions.

Learn more about this effort on page 22.

While the program was initially intended to help connect people with their physician or other health care services, the impact has expanded and grown dramatically.



Seeing the impact the library program was making, the Statewide team expanded the program’s reach by examining data on which populations have the greatest health disparities and bringing CTAP to the organizations who reach those populations, such as food pantries, facilities for unhoused people, county Offices for the Aging, and other human services agencies.

“We can see that it is not only addressing access, but also social isolation and other important needs.”

MELISSA KINNEY Community Outreach & Organizer for Statewide

“Now when people stop in for other needs, like enrolling in Medicaid or receiving food, they can access telehealth services too,” said Stefania Buta, Community Outreach & Organizer who also coordinates the Task Forces. “We’re seeing people visit their counselors and health care providers more.”

The Task Force is taking on a number of other critical community health needs, including dental care access.

The team has distributed thousands of dental supply kits through “Dental Day” community events and food pantries.

Monthly CNY Health Hub presentations also bring information from local health care experts to residents on important topics like vaccine information and dealing with medical debt.

In late 2021, the Health Foundation launched a campaign to call for a Master Plan for Aging in New York— a comprehensive roadmap to ensure healthy aging is prioritized at all levels of state government. This work included building a coalition of more than 80 cross-sector organizations from across the state and led to Governor Kathy Hochul committing to issuing an executive order for a Master Plan for Aging in 2022.

Learn More About New York’s Master Plan For Aging

“Some people had to drive 45 minutes to an hour to reach social service offices in person, and now they can access those services through their local library,” said Melissa Kinney, Community Outreach & Organizer for Statewide who helps coordinate the Task Forces.

“Librarians tell us that people come to access telehealth appointments, and then pick up a craft project for their grandkids or stay and chat with other community members. We can see that it is not only addressing access, but also social isolation and other important needs.”

“When the pandemic hit, we all had to reconsider how we would approach this work,” said Maria. “I think the impact we’ve been able to make through the CNY Health Task Force is evidence that when you bring together the resources and strengths of committed people from across the community, you can accomplish a lot.”

Learn More About The CNY Health Task Force



2021 Annual Report

9

Health Care Advocacy In 2021:

Overcoming Barriers To Health Care Access In Central New York

Closing The Gap And Meeting People Where They Are

With the support of the Health Foundation, NY Statewide Senior Action Council is also leading a comprehensive program based on the findings from Reaching the Five Percent. Using the report as a starting point, Statewide convened focus groups throughout central New York to identify the most urgent health care needs, and then established a CNY Health Task Force made up of community members in each county to begin addressing those issues.

In 2017, the Health Foundation made a commitment to advocating for health care for all New Yorkers—work that is reflected in our mid-term goal that equitable care and insurance are available and accessible for all people. We pursue this goal through three strategies: defend and strengthen what works; support policy efforts to close the coverage gap; and improve access to existing programs. Our advocacy work took on many forms this year, including the following highlights.

Strategies And Tactics To Improve Coverage Rates In 2021, Community Service Society of New York (CSS) launched efforts to close the enrollment gap that built on findings from Reaching the Five Percent, a report published by the Health Foundation and United Hospital Fund in 2019. Reaching the Five Percent found that about five percent of New Yorkers remain uninsured, and almost two-thirds of that group are eligible for Medicaid or health care subsidies.

With the aim of reaching and enrolling these eligible but uninsured New Yorkers, CSS developed a three-phase program in western and central New York. Key to this program is development of a network of Outreach and Enrollment Specialists (OES) to locate consumers who are eligible for affordable health insurance coverage and enroll them; and equipping navigator and facilitated enroller agencies already working in underserved communities with new outreach messages and strategies to close the enrollment gap.

Connecting Health Care, Racial, And Aging Justice In Our Advocacy Work In 2021, the Health Foundation used our platform to advocate for several efforts that underscore the intersections between racial, health care, and aging justice issues.

When the American Rescue Plan (ARP) brought a significant infusion of funds to state and local governments, the Health Foundation was proud to support a campaign led by the Buffalo Center for Health Equity that convened dozens of organizations from across sectors in the greater Buffalo area. This convening helped identify key priorities that could benefit from ARP

“The report made it clear that there were a lot of people in our community that were not accessing health care even if they were eligible for it—so we started to try to identify some of the root causes of these issues,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of NY Statewide Senior Action Council.

Maria notes that while the Statewide team established the Task Forces, participating community members are the true owners of these groups, as their input has been instrumental in identifying priority issues to address. The Statewide team is helping participants become more involved and step into leadership roles for each Task Force to ensure the groups are sustainable and have a long-term impact.

When the Task Forces recognized that internet access would be critically important to health care during the pandemic, Statewide launched the Community Telehealth Access Project (CTAP) by partnering with public libraries in central New York. The funding helped establish dedicated telehealth spaces in libraries in each county and provided these spaces with technology like tablets and headphones.

funding to improve health equity in our region, and those recommendations were compiled and presented to local elected officials to help inform related funding decisions.

Learn more about this effort on page 22.

While the program was initially intended to help connect people with their physician or other health care services, the impact has expanded and grown dramatically.



Seeing the impact the library program was making, the Statewide team expanded the program’s reach by examining data on which populations have the greatest health disparities and bringing CTAP to the organizations who reach those populations, such as food pantries, facilities for unhoused people, county Offices for the Aging, and other human services agencies.

“We can see that it is not only addressing access, but also social isolation and other important needs.”

MELISSA KINNEY Community Outreach & Organizer for Statewide

“Now when people stop in for other needs, like enrolling in Medicaid or receiving food, they can access telehealth services too,” said Stefania Buta, Community Outreach & Organizer who also coordinates the Task Forces. “We’re seeing people visit their counselors and health care providers more.”

The Task Force is taking on a number of other critical community health needs, including dental care access.

The team has distributed thousands of dental supply kits through “Dental Day” community events and food pantries.

Monthly CNY Health Hub presentations also bring information from local health care experts to residents on important topics like vaccine information and dealing with medical debt.

In late 2021, the Health Foundation launched a campaign to call for a Master Plan for Aging in New York— a comprehensive roadmap to ensure healthy aging is prioritized at all levels of state government. This work included building a coalition of more than 80 cross-sector organizations from across the state and led to Governor Kathy Hochul committing to issuing an executive order for a Master Plan for Aging in 2022.

Learn More About New York’s Master Plan For Aging

“Some people had to drive 45 minutes to an hour to reach social service offices in person, and now they can access those services through their local library,” said Melissa Kinney, Community Outreach & Organizer for Statewide who helps coordinate the Task Forces.

“Librarians tell us that people come to access telehealth appointments, and then pick up a craft project for their grandkids or stay and chat with other community members. We can see that it is not only addressing access, but also social isolation and other important needs.”

“When the pandemic hit, we all had to reconsider how we would approach this work,” said Maria. “I think the impact we’ve been able to make through the CNY Health Task Force is evidence that when you bring together the resources and strengths of committed people from across the community, you can accomplish a lot.”

Learn More About The CNY Health Task Force



2021 Annual Report

9

Total Grant Distribution In 2021

$2.6 million

$1.2 million in central new york

distribution of over $3.8 million in funds

in western new york

Spending By Focus Area

33%

Spending By Long-Term Goal

45%

community health capacity

children

$1,284,955

$1,762,531

5%

40% or $1,540,055 Individual well-being is promoted and addressed for both children and older adults

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 2 :

other

20% or $773,819

$186,056

Community-based organizations and health systems are collaborative and sustainable

17%

older adults $638,694

10

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 1 :

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 3 :

40% or $1,309,674 Racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized, and all people are served by trusted, unbiased, high-quality care

Total Grant Distribution In 2021

$2.6 million

$1.2 million in central new york

distribution of over $3.8 million in funds

in western new york

Spending By Focus Area

33%

Spending By Long-Term Goal

45%

community health capacity

children

$1,284,955

$1,762,531

5%

40% or $1,540,055 Individual well-being is promoted and addressed for both children and older adults

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 2 :

other

20% or $773,819

$186,056

Community-based organizations and health systems are collaborative and sustainable

17%

older adults $638,694

10

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 1 :

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

L O N G -T E R M G O A L 3 :

40% or $1,309,674 Racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized, and all people are served by trusted, unbiased, high-quality care

Stronger Social-Emotional Skills And More Resilient Kids Lori Schakow, Executive Director of Child

PEDALS Impact Continues To Grow

Pamela Buddendeck

Care Solutions, notes that organizations

is the Principal of Park

across central New York have frequently

Hill School, a pre-K in

reached out to them for technical help

Onondaga County’s

with social-emotional learning—and

East Syracuse Minoa

The data is clear: when children have healthy

that the long-term approach of PEDALS

Central School District.

and strong social-emotional skills, they are

programming sets it apart.

PEDALS has been

better at recognizing and managing their

“The coaching is a key part of what makes

emotions, showing empathy for others, maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. These skills are especially important for kindergarten readiness, and can have a long-term impact on mental health, academics, and success in adulthood. Social-emotional learning is more important than ever after the disruptions and stress families have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Positive Emotional Development and Learning Skills program, or PEDALS, was launched in 2012 to bring training and resources for these skills to early childhood teachers. Initially developed in western New York through a partnership between the Health Foundation and the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, the program was later brought to Onondaga County in central New York, and to Southeast Michigan by our partners at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

began. A group of PEDALS funders and stakeholders came together to review accomplishments and determine long-term goals, including representatives from the Wilson

PEDALS different,” said Lori. “The ongoing teaching and development of skills for teachers helps change behaviors for a longterm impact.”

Foundation, the Health Foundation, the Peter

The PEDALS expansion into several new

& Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, Community

central New York counties comes at a

Connections of New York, the Community

PEDALS to reach more children and child care providers.

In 2020, the Health Foundation built on this progress by committing to expanding into new counties in central New York—a commitment

“The ongoing teaching and development of skills for teachers helps change behaviors for a long-term impact.”

LORI SCHAKOW Executive Director of Child Care Solutions

learning support. The CNY hub began this expansion work in 2021 with Child Care Solutions serving as lead organization in the region.

impact of this work is felt among teachers, students, and even other classrooms.

“The biggest impact independently use these strategies in any social situation—how to calm down, how to share, how to make safe choices,” said Pam. “We see kids using these tools and skills in other settings, like the gym, and we hear from parents that they’ll use it at home—and even teach the parents what they’ve learned!”

that reflects our mid-term goal that children have access to high-quality social-emotional

since 2019, and the

is we are teaching the students to

Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and PEDALS (NY and MI). The group began plans to scale up

integrated in their fouryear-old classroom

time when many initiatives related to early childhood are growing in coordination in the region. In 2019, Child Care Solutions and frequent collaborator Early Childhood Alliance Onondaga (ECA) partnered on a Health Foundation-funded report to

Pam noted they have received feedback from kindergarten teachers that many children who had PEDALS-trained staff in pre-K are continuing to use those socialemotional skills in their new classrooms.

Megan Wagner-Flynn, Director of Early

This multi-year initiative was designed

examine early childhood needs in the

Learning Strategy for the ECA, notes that

to improve the social and emotional

county. As a result of the report findings,

the long-term impact of PEDALS reaches

well-being of children by introducing

Onondaga County leadership made

beyond teachers and students.

developmental screening, evidence-

a commitment to investing in early

based curricula, and quality improvement

childhood initiatives, including Help Me

methods to early childhood teachers. The

Grow, Talking Is Teaching, and the Child

training gives teachers the resources

Care Quality Improvement pilot. The 2019

to use music, activities, and stories in

report also included a recommendation

short daily lessons to help students learn

that PEDALS should be expanded to

compassionate methods for managing their

more child care centers throughout the

emotions and communicating their needs.

community.

In 2019, with generous support and partnership from the Wilson Foundation, a strategic planning process for PEDALS

“Talking about social-emotional skills is not something that comes naturally to everyone,” said Megan. “PEDALS gives us a shared language to start to have those conversations. Investing in the social-emotional health of our children will lead to greater community resiliency and capacity.”

“What I love about PEDALS’ expansion in central New York is the natural alignment with the work that has already been happening,” said Laurie Black, Director of the ECA.

12

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

Read Early Childhood Needs Report  2021 Annual Report

13

Stronger Social-Emotional Skills And More Resilient Kids Lori Schakow, Executive Director of Child

PEDALS Impact Continues To Grow

Pamela Buddendeck

Care Solutions, notes that organizations

is the Principal of Park

across central New York have frequently

Hill School, a pre-K in

reached out to them for technical help

Onondaga County’s

with social-emotional learning—and

East Syracuse Minoa

The data is clear: when children have healthy

that the long-term approach of PEDALS

Central School District.

and strong social-emotional skills, they are

programming sets it apart.

PEDALS has been

better at recognizing and managing their

“The coaching is a key part of what makes

emotions, showing empathy for others, maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. These skills are especially important for kindergarten readiness, and can have a long-term impact on mental health, academics, and success in adulthood. Social-emotional learning is more important than ever after the disruptions and stress families have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Positive Emotional Development and Learning Skills program, or PEDALS, was launched in 2012 to bring training and resources for these skills to early childhood teachers. Initially developed in western New York through a partnership between the Health Foundation and the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, the program was later brought to Onondaga County in central New York, and to Southeast Michigan by our partners at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

began. A group of PEDALS funders and stakeholders came together to review accomplishments and determine long-term goals, including representatives from the Wilson

PEDALS different,” said Lori. “The ongoing teaching and development of skills for teachers helps change behaviors for a longterm impact.”

Foundation, the Health Foundation, the Peter

The PEDALS expansion into several new

& Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, Community

central New York counties comes at a

Connections of New York, the Community

PEDALS to reach more children and child care providers.

In 2020, the Health Foundation built on this progress by committing to expanding into new counties in central New York—a commitment

“The ongoing teaching and development of skills for teachers helps change behaviors for a long-term impact.”

LORI SCHAKOW Executive Director of Child Care Solutions

learning support. The CNY hub began this expansion work in 2021 with Child Care Solutions serving as lead organization in the region.

impact of this work is felt among teachers, students, and even other classrooms.

“The biggest impact independently use these strategies in any social situation—how to calm down, how to share, how to make safe choices,” said Pam. “We see kids using these tools and skills in other settings, like the gym, and we hear from parents that they’ll use it at home—and even teach the parents what they’ve learned!”

that reflects our mid-term goal that children have access to high-quality social-emotional

since 2019, and the

is we are teaching the students to

Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and PEDALS (NY and MI). The group began plans to scale up

integrated in their fouryear-old classroom

time when many initiatives related to early childhood are growing in coordination in the region. In 2019, Child Care Solutions and frequent collaborator Early Childhood Alliance Onondaga (ECA) partnered on a Health Foundation-funded report to

Pam noted they have received feedback from kindergarten teachers that many children who had PEDALS-trained staff in pre-K are continuing to use those socialemotional skills in their new classrooms.

Megan Wagner-Flynn, Director of Early

This multi-year initiative was designed

examine early childhood needs in the

Learning Strategy for the ECA, notes that

to improve the social and emotional

county. As a result of the report findings,

the long-term impact of PEDALS reaches

well-being of children by introducing

Onondaga County leadership made

beyond teachers and students.

developmental screening, evidence-

a commitment to investing in early

based curricula, and quality improvement

childhood initiatives, including Help Me

methods to early childhood teachers. The

Grow, Talking Is Teaching, and the Child

training gives teachers the resources

Care Quality Improvement pilot. The 2019

to use music, activities, and stories in

report also included a recommendation

short daily lessons to help students learn

that PEDALS should be expanded to

compassionate methods for managing their

more child care centers throughout the

emotions and communicating their needs.

community.

In 2019, with generous support and partnership from the Wilson Foundation, a strategic planning process for PEDALS

“Talking about social-emotional skills is not something that comes naturally to everyone,” said Megan. “PEDALS gives us a shared language to start to have those conversations. Investing in the social-emotional health of our children will lead to greater community resiliency and capacity.”

“What I love about PEDALS’ expansion in central New York is the natural alignment with the work that has already been happening,” said Laurie Black, Director of the ECA.

12

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

Read Early Childhood Needs Report  2021 Annual Report

13

All people deserve the support and resources necessary to have a healthy, happy pregnancy and birth. Access to doulas—trained advocates who provide support and guidance to mothers before, during, and after childbirth—has been linked to improved birth outcomes and better pre- and postpartum health.

However, these services are not typically covered by health insurance, making them frequently inaccessible to people without the financial ability to pay for them.

With funding from the Health Foundation, a growing effort in central New York is trying to change that by building a network of trained doulas that provide services at no cost to parents. The Health Foundation supports this work as part of our mid-term goal that all mothers are served by trusted, unbiased, high-quality infant and maternal health care.

In response to high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in Cayuga County, a 2018 grant from the Health Foundation allowed the Cayuga Community Health Network to launch a program that helped train cohorts of doulas to meet the needs of low-income residents. Three cohorts of doulas were trained and began assisting births through referrals from local health

Bringing More Doulas— And Better Birth Experiences— To Central New York

care providers and community organizations who serve pregnant people.

“My doula helped me to keep my birth plan on target as much as possible. She was an excellent source of advice, encouragement, and information throughout the process of becoming a mother,” said one program client.

“She instilled in me, and my husband, a sense of calm despite the many unknowns that pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the early days of parenthood held.”

Seeing the positive impact the program was making in Cayuga County, CCHN Executive Director Shari Weiss, PhD, reached out to partners at Seven Valleys Health Coalition in Cortland County and Madison County Rural Health Council with the goal of bringing doula services to more central New York communities. With a $125,000 grant from the Health Foundation, the three organizations developed the Doula Partnership of Cayuga, Cortland, and Madison Counties Pilot Program in 2021.

The Doula Partnership is building a coalition of doulas that can serve the needs of those who may not otherwise have access to these services, including immigrant communities, the local Mennonite population, and incarcerated people.

“The grant from the Health Foundation allowed our partners to do the groundwork to make the program successful—building awareness, making connections

“The grant from the Health Foundation allowed our partners to do the groundwork to make the program successful—building awareness, making connections and strengthening relationships with providers…”

and strengthening relationships with providers and other referral sources, and training doulas,” said Shari.

SHARI WEISS CCHN Executive Director

Already, the impact is clear. Shari shared that a client was referred to their services by a local organization that works with human trafficking victims. The client was underage and had become pregnant after being trafficked, and was alone during labor. The Doula Partnership team jumped into action and connected her with a doula who met her at the hospital and provided support and comfort to guide her successfully through the birth. The doula also provided postnatal visits to assure the continued well-being of mother and baby.

“Because we can call on this network of trusted doulas, this person was not alone and scared during childbirth,” said Shari. She shared that the Doula Partnership hopes to have a big-picture impact on normalizing access to these services for everyone, regardless of class, race, or socioeconomic status.

“We have encountered some clients who thought they didn’t have the right to a doula,” said Shari. “This isn’t about privilege. This is a health care component that every person has the right to use to improve their chances of a healthy birth.”

14

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

2021 Annual Report

15

All people deserve the support and resources necessary to have a healthy, happy pregnancy and birth. Access to doulas—trained advocates who provide support and guidance to mothers before, during, and after childbirth—has been linked to improved birth outcomes and better pre- and postpartum health.

However, these services are not typically covered by health insurance, making them frequently inaccessible to people without the financial ability to pay for them.

With funding from the Health Foundation, a growing effort in central New York is trying to change that by building a network of trained doulas that provide services at no cost to parents. The Health Foundation supports this work as part of our mid-term goal that all mothers are served by trusted, unbiased, high-quality infant and maternal health care.

In response to high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in Cayuga County, a 2018 grant from the Health Foundation allowed the Cayuga Community Health Network to launch a program that helped train cohorts of doulas to meet the needs of low-income residents. Three cohorts of doulas were trained and began assisting births through referrals from local health

Bringing More Doulas— And Better Birth Experiences— To Central New York

care providers and community organizations who serve pregnant people.

“My doula helped me to keep my birth plan on target as much as possible. She was an excellent source of advice, encouragement, and information throughout the process of becoming a mother,” said one program client.

“She instilled in me, and my husband, a sense of calm despite the many unknowns that pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the early days of parenthood held.”

Seeing the positive impact the program was making in Cayuga County, CCHN Executive Director Shari Weiss, PhD, reached out to partners at Seven Valleys Health Coalition in Cortland County and Madison County Rural Health Council with the goal of bringing doula services to more central New York communities. With a $125,000 grant from the Health Foundation, the three organizations developed the Doula Partnership of Cayuga, Cortland, and Madison Counties Pilot Program in 2021.

The Doula Partnership is building a coalition of doulas that can serve the needs of those who may not otherwise have access to these services, including immigrant communities, the local Mennonite population, and incarcerated people.

“The grant from the Health Foundation allowed our partners to do the groundwork to make the program successful—building awareness, making connections

“The grant from the Health Foundation allowed our partners to do the groundwork to make the program successful—building awareness, making connections and strengthening relationships with providers…”

and strengthening relationships with providers and other referral sources, and training doulas,” said Shari.

SHARI WEISS CCHN Executive Director

Already, the impact is clear. Shari shared that a client was referred to their services by a local organization that works with human trafficking victims. The client was underage and had become pregnant after being trafficked, and was alone during labor. The Doula Partnership team jumped into action and connected her with a doula who met her at the hospital and provided support and comfort to guide her successfully through the birth. The doula also provided postnatal visits to assure the continued well-being of mother and baby.

“Because we can call on this network of trusted doulas, this person was not alone and scared during childbirth,” said Shari. She shared that the Doula Partnership hopes to have a big-picture impact on normalizing access to these services for everyone, regardless of class, race, or socioeconomic status.

“We have encountered some clients who thought they didn’t have the right to a doula,” said Shari. “This isn’t about privilege. This is a health care component that every person has the right to use to improve their chances of a healthy birth.”

14

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

2021 Annual Report

15

As a result, ABC Cayuga adopted the Strengthening Families model developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). The program is grounded in five protective factors: parental resilience; social connections; knowledge of parenting and child development; concrete support in times of need; and social and emotional competence of children.

Using this framework, ABC Cayuga opened the Play Space in 2017 to provide resources for early childhood learning and development while allowing parents and caregivers opportunities to meet with service providers and other parents in a safe, fun environment.

In 2021, the Health Foundation provided a grant to ABC Cayuga to hire a Community Liaison to help families determine when they need services, connect them with the appropriate resources, guide them through the process, and follow up to ensure their needs are being met.

A Welcoming Place to Play— and Find Support—for Cayuga County Families

“We take a parent-led approach of listening and learning about what kind of resources and information the families need,” said Nancy. “We are proud to have built relationships with service providers throughout our community, and we want to make sure all of our families know about and can access those resources.”

Community Liaison Jill Hand joined the Play Space team in late 2021, and is developing relationships with both families and children and the community’s network of early childhood resources.

“We are seeing a lot of families who are concerned about their child’s development, especially for those young children who were born during the pandemic,” said Jill. “Recently, I met parents who needed early intervention services for their child, but they didn’t even know where to begin.

Connecting them with the right resources to get the process started, and guiding them through that process, is exactly what we’re

The importance of play in the overall health of children is well-documented; play helps children explore the

trying to accomplish in the Play Space.”

world around them, develop social, motor, and language skills, and bond with family members and peers.

As part of our mid-term goal that children have access to high-quality social-emotional learning support, the Health Foundation is supporting an innovative program in Cayuga County that offers families a safe, fun place to play while also connecting them to resources for vital early childhood services: ABC Cayuga Play Space.

ABC Cayuga is a nonprofit organization that began as a community collaborative headed by the Allyn Family Foundation in 2011 with the goal of improving the healthy development of young children in Cayuga County.

In 2012, ABC Cayuga collected input from parents, caregivers, and providers to learn more about the needs of the families they serve. They found that parents struggle with isolation and desire more places to connect with other young families and community resources.

“The top request we heard from families was a safe place to bring children to play,” said Nancy Tehan, Executive Director of ABC Cayuga Play Space. “We wanted to start there and create a welcoming environment where families would want to spend time.”

16

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

2021 Annual Report

17

As a result, ABC Cayuga adopted the Strengthening Families model developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). The program is grounded in five protective factors: parental resilience; social connections; knowledge of parenting and child development; concrete support in times of need; and social and emotional competence of children.

Using this framework, ABC Cayuga opened the Play Space in 2017 to provide resources for early childhood learning and development while allowing parents and caregivers opportunities to meet with service providers and other parents in a safe, fun environment.

In 2021, the Health Foundation provided a grant to ABC Cayuga to hire a Community Liaison to help families determine when they need services, connect them with the appropriate resources, guide them through the process, and follow up to ensure their needs are being met.

A Welcoming Place to Play— and Find Support—for Cayuga County Families

“We take a parent-led approach of listening and learning about what kind of resources and information the families need,” said Nancy. “We are proud to have built relationships with service providers throughout our community, and we want to make sure all of our families know about and can access those resources.”

Community Liaison Jill Hand joined the Play Space team in late 2021, and is developing relationships with both families and children and the community’s network of early childhood resources.

“We are seeing a lot of families who are concerned about their child’s development, especially for those young children who were born during the pandemic,” said Jill. “Recently, I met parents who needed early intervention services for their child, but they didn’t even know where to begin.

Connecting them with the right resources to get the process started, and guiding them through that process, is exactly what we’re

The importance of play in the overall health of children is well-documented; play helps children explore the

trying to accomplish in the Play Space.”

world around them, develop social, motor, and language skills, and bond with family members and peers.

As part of our mid-term goal that children have access to high-quality social-emotional learning support, the Health Foundation is supporting an innovative program in Cayuga County that offers families a safe, fun place to play while also connecting them to resources for vital early childhood services: ABC Cayuga Play Space.

ABC Cayuga is a nonprofit organization that began as a community collaborative headed by the Allyn Family Foundation in 2011 with the goal of improving the healthy development of young children in Cayuga County.

In 2012, ABC Cayuga collected input from parents, caregivers, and providers to learn more about the needs of the families they serve. They found that parents struggle with isolation and desire more places to connect with other young families and community resources.

“The top request we heard from families was a safe place to bring children to play,” said Nancy Tehan, Executive Director of ABC Cayuga Play Space. “We wanted to start there and create a welcoming environment where families would want to spend time.”

16

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

2021 Annual Report

17

An Impact Across Generations Respite Pilot Connects Older Adults And Students, Giving Caregivers A Chance To Exhale Family caregivers need respite. The role of family caregiver is rewarding and important, but the stress of these responsibilities can have an impact on the caregiver’s physical, emotional, or financial well-being.

Respite can come in many forms—an afternoon off, an outing with their loved one, or support from a care worker—but accessing these opportunities can be difficult. That’s why the Health Foundation’s work includes a mid-term goal that family caregivers of older adults are valued and supported.

A new collaboration in western New York’s Southern Tier is offering an innovative approach to respite, in a way that benefits not only the caregiver and their loved one, but also students and teachers in the community.

As part of Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative—a respite pilot program funded by the Health Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation—Ardent Solutions, Genesee Valley Central School, and the Allegany County Office for the Aging are collaborating on Forever Young Intergenerational Respite and Socialization. This pilot program, developed in 2020, offers older adults the opportunity to visit classrooms

One participant, lovingly known as Grandma Kemp, meets frequently with students to read books—always using different voices for each book character—or to do arts and crafts.

Danielle noted Grandma Kemp can count on smiles and hugs from the students, no matter their age, every visit.

“This isn’t just fun—it’s satisfying to do something that gives young people a lift and encouragement,” said Grandma Kemp, who has 26 great-grandchildren and says she learned from interacting with her own family how important a kind word can be to young people. “They’re making an impact on me too, and giving me a sense of purpose. I try to teach the kids that we’re all different, but we’re the same too. Our lives are important and have value, and the things we do are important.”

to spend time with students and take part in activities.

“Forever Young is intended to be very flexible and person-centered—meeting the needs of everyone who participates,” said Danielle Delong, Ardent

Learn More About Exhale, The Family Caregiver Initiative



Solutions Age-Friendly Communities Coordinator, who directs the program. “The caregiver and the teachers get a break, and the older adult and students have an enriching and fun experience together.”

During a time when ageism has serious consequences

Learn More About And Hear From Grandma Kemp



Credit: Jeff Babbitt | Marketing, Brand, and Communications Specialist with BOCES at Genesee Valley Central School

for both older and younger people, Forever Young gives participants the chance to gain a new perspective—and some new friends.

2021 Annual Report

19

An Impact Across Generations Respite Pilot Connects Older Adults And Students, Giving Caregivers A Chance To Exhale Family caregivers need respite. The role of family caregiver is rewarding and important, but the stress of these responsibilities can have an impact on the caregiver’s physical, emotional, or financial well-being.

Respite can come in many forms—an afternoon off, an outing with their loved one, or support from a care worker—but accessing these opportunities can be difficult. That’s why the Health Foundation’s work includes a mid-term goal that family caregivers of older adults are valued and supported.

A new collaboration in western New York’s Southern Tier is offering an innovative approach to respite, in a way that benefits not only the caregiver and their loved one, but also students and teachers in the community.

As part of Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative—a respite pilot program funded by the Health Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation—Ardent Solutions, Genesee Valley Central School, and the Allegany County Office for the Aging are collaborating on Forever Young Intergenerational Respite and Socialization. This pilot program, developed in 2020, offers older adults the opportunity to visit classrooms

One participant, lovingly known as Grandma Kemp, meets frequently with students to read books—always using different voices for each book character—or to do arts and crafts.

Danielle noted Grandma Kemp can count on smiles and hugs from the students, no matter their age, every visit.

“This isn’t just fun—it’s satisfying to do something that gives young people a lift and encouragement,” said Grandma Kemp, who has 26 great-grandchildren and says she learned from interacting with her own family how important a kind word can be to young people. “They’re making an impact on me too, and giving me a sense of purpose. I try to teach the kids that we’re all different, but we’re the same too. Our lives are important and have value, and the things we do are important.”

to spend time with students and take part in activities.

“Forever Young is intended to be very flexible and person-centered—meeting the needs of everyone who participates,” said Danielle Delong, Ardent

Learn More About Exhale, The Family Caregiver Initiative



Solutions Age-Friendly Communities Coordinator, who directs the program. “The caregiver and the teachers get a break, and the older adult and students have an enriching and fun experience together.”

During a time when ageism has serious consequences

Learn More About And Hear From Grandma Kemp



Credit: Jeff Babbitt | Marketing, Brand, and Communications Specialist with BOCES at Genesee Valley Central School

for both older and younger people, Forever Young gives participants the chance to gain a new perspective—and some new friends.

2021 Annual Report

19

A Caring Network Of Neighbors: Love Living At Home

What if we could find the resources we needed for a healthy, happy life right in our own community? What if we could rely on each other to make that a reality—each person sharing their talents and skills to help one another form a virtual community? That’s the concept behind Love Living at Home, a “neighbors helping neighbors” network for people aged 62 and over in Tompkins County.

Volunteers offer services to their fellow members that include transportation, home maintenance and handyperson help, and much more.

Because of the Health Foundation’s mid-term goal that communities and health systems work collaboratively to become age-friendly, we have partnered with Love Living at Home to help fund this programming, including a new health and wellness initiative that is helping address community health needs.

Love Living at Home’s Volunteer Physician Advocacy Program is providing much-needed support for their members to successfully access health care services. Volunteers bring members to doctor’s appointments or other services like vaccine clinics. Perhaps most important, they take the time to understand members’ needs so they can help be an advocate for their care.

“There can be a lot of fear and anxiety around going to the doctor,” said Executive Director Cheryl Jewell. “Some people feel their needs are not heard, or they are unsure about the questions they should ask. Our volunteers serve as a trusted friend in appointments— supporting them and helping them advocate for themselves.” Cheryl added that this empowering dynamic helps build trust between members and their health care providers and helps the member live a healthier life.

20

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

“Our volunteers serve as a trusted friend in appointments—supporting them and helping them advocate for themselves.”

CHERYL JEWELL Executive Director of Love Living at Home

“There are other groups of volunteers who will deliver you somewhere and return to pick you up. This group (LLH) is unique in one very important and distinct area, one of their most valuable services—medical visits where a carefully trained person not only drives you to your appointment and helps you, but assists you in every way while you are there,” shared one member in a testimonial. “Every neighborhood should have a group of well-trained and supportive guides and helpers. It’s a blessing Love Living at Home is out there with so many great tools in its box. No one else compares.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had interrupted access to the program’s services in many ways, said Cheryl. For safety purposes, many people had to stop volunteering. But, in part thanks to funding from the Health Foundation, Love Living at Home’s volunteer ranks have grown dramatically, and nearly 50 people are now contributing services to the network.

The growth and success of Love Living at Home’s programming also has led to new partnerships. Collaborations with the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, which leads the county’s age-friendly efforts, and a local senior center known as Lifelong, are bringing Love Living at Home’s benefits to a larger audience and new communities.

In addition to addressing unmet needs in the community, the program is also building relationships and reducing the impact of social isolation—an aspect that is more important than ever because of the pandemic.

“This program is about making connections,” said Cheryl. “We’re identifying needs in our community that aren’t being met and addressing them.

We are here for our members.”

Learn More About Love Living At Home



2021 Annual Report

21

A Caring Network Of Neighbors: Love Living At Home

What if we could find the resources we needed for a healthy, happy life right in our own community? What if we could rely on each other to make that a reality—each person sharing their talents and skills to help one another form a virtual community? That’s the concept behind Love Living at Home, a “neighbors helping neighbors” network for people aged 62 and over in Tompkins County.

Volunteers offer services to their fellow members that include transportation, home maintenance and handyperson help, and much more.

Because of the Health Foundation’s mid-term goal that communities and health systems work collaboratively to become age-friendly, we have partnered with Love Living at Home to help fund this programming, including a new health and wellness initiative that is helping address community health needs.

Love Living at Home’s Volunteer Physician Advocacy Program is providing much-needed support for their members to successfully access health care services. Volunteers bring members to doctor’s appointments or other services like vaccine clinics. Perhaps most important, they take the time to understand members’ needs so they can help be an advocate for their care.

“There can be a lot of fear and anxiety around going to the doctor,” said Executive Director Cheryl Jewell. “Some people feel their needs are not heard, or they are unsure about the questions they should ask. Our volunteers serve as a trusted friend in appointments— supporting them and helping them advocate for themselves.” Cheryl added that this empowering dynamic helps build trust between members and their health care providers and helps the member live a healthier life.

20

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

“Our volunteers serve as a trusted friend in appointments—supporting them and helping them advocate for themselves.”

CHERYL JEWELL Executive Director of Love Living at Home

“There are other groups of volunteers who will deliver you somewhere and return to pick you up. This group (LLH) is unique in one very important and distinct area, one of their most valuable services—medical visits where a carefully trained person not only drives you to your appointment and helps you, but assists you in every way while you are there,” shared one member in a testimonial. “Every neighborhood should have a group of well-trained and supportive guides and helpers. It’s a blessing Love Living at Home is out there with so many great tools in its box. No one else compares.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had interrupted access to the program’s services in many ways, said Cheryl. For safety purposes, many people had to stop volunteering. But, in part thanks to funding from the Health Foundation, Love Living at Home’s volunteer ranks have grown dramatically, and nearly 50 people are now contributing services to the network.

The growth and success of Love Living at Home’s programming also has led to new partnerships. Collaborations with the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, which leads the county’s age-friendly efforts, and a local senior center known as Lifelong, are bringing Love Living at Home’s benefits to a larger audience and new communities.

In addition to addressing unmet needs in the community, the program is also building relationships and reducing the impact of social isolation—an aspect that is more important than ever because of the pandemic.

“This program is about making connections,” said Cheryl. “We’re identifying needs in our community that aren’t being met and addressing them.

We are here for our members.”

Learn More About Love Living At Home



2021 Annual Report

21

Buffalo Center For Health Equity: Advocating For Community Voice In American Rescue Plan Allocations

The Buffalo Center for Health Equity (BCHE)

Over the summer of 2021, the coalition organized a series

works to eliminate racial, economic, and

of convenings, canvassing, and outreach that provided

geographic-based health inequities in

an opportunity for members of the public to help identify

western New York by changing the social

critical community needs. Using this information, the

and economic conditions that have an

group developed an outline of recommendations that

impact on health outcomes for people in

includes strategic approaches and priorities for addressing

Buffalo and the surrounding area. When

racial and socioeconomic health disparities in the city of

$331 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP)

Buffalo and surrounding areas. These recommendations

funds was allocated to Buffalo in May 2021,

were submitted to local elected officials and public figures

the BCHE team knew this funding was a

who are making decisions on the use of American Rescue

rare and important opportunity to make

Plan funds.

lasting, transformational change for the communities it serves—but only if the voice of that community was included in the decisionmaking process.

Kyla Carter, an equity consultant with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity, noted that responses from public officials have been minimal so far, though the coalition is continuing to advocate for their recommendations.

The BCHE team formed a community coalition to advocate for these funds to be distributed with a focus on health equity, to ensure long-lasting, system-wide changes were made. The Health Foundation has supported the coalition’s advocacy work as it aligns with our mid-term goal that equitable care and insurance are available and accessible for all people.

“While we may not have had the direct response we

organizational leaders from a variety of

The Health Foundation’s support has helped the Collaborative continue building this statewide infrastructure and further develop a resource called the Health Workforce Hub, a digital platform that One of the greatest challenges facing health

brings together key health workforce stakeholders.

care providers in New York State—and across the

The Hub offers valuable health workforce

country—is addressing workforce shortages. While

development information, tools, and resources, such

all sectors of health care have been affected by these

as a career center, a training center, a networking

shortages, the long-term services and supports

center, and a marketplace where a host of programs,

industry that serves older adults and people with

products, and services are posted for review and

disabilities continues to face a critical lack of workers.

engagement by health care employers.

This can lead to reduced care access and quality and

would have liked, we’ve seen how the work has informed

more difficult working conditions for overextended

The essential workforce data collected through the

the positionality of local government as it relates to the

care workers, most of whom are women of color.

project’s efforts will serve to guide coordinated

intersections between health equity, racial disparities, and

These issues were only exacerbated by the COVID-19

workforce planning and facilitate joint advocacy. The

addressing social determinants of health during COVID-19,”

pandemic.

Collaborative is conducting extensive outreach and

Kyla said.

Kyla notes that the coalition will continue to collaborate in order to build on its existing work and contribute to

The community coalition is made up of

Building a Stronger Health Care Workforce

discussions on how health equity is considered in the use of remaining ARP funds and future public funding.

incorporating existing workforce efforts in western With funding from the Health Foundation, the Health

and central New York counties.

Workforce Collaborative (HWC) has taken on these issues with the goal of strengthening coordination and collaboration in existing workforce development efforts. Through this program, the HWC’s work

100

HWC programs

“The work speaks for itself. We now have over 100 programs, over 200 educational institutions,

sectors: community-based organizations,

supports our mid-term goal that community-based

philanthropy, faith leaders, the private sector,

organizations are financially sustainable, strong,

participants’ fingertips to better

and more. Their work has been focused on

and working collaboratively with health and other

develop themselves for the

systems. This work also aligns with the key priorities

health workforce,” said Richard

researching, strategizing, and developing action plans that place equity at the forefront in the distribution of ARP funds and future government dollars allocated to western New York.

“I am encouraged by how the Health Foundation has recognized the need to include multiple voices from the Black community in order to inform itself how to best invest in real health equity.”

PASTOR GEORGE NICHOLAS BCHE

identified by advocates from across New York State— including Health Workforce Collaborative and the Health Foundation—in advocating for New York’s Master Plan for Aging.

200

educational institutions

and 525 employers at our

Merchant, Chief Executive Officer of Health Workforce New York.

One career seeker even said, “I was just taking a peek at the website and found exactly

The Health Workforce Collaborative believes that

what I was looking for!” Thanks

without a community-focused infrastructure of

to the Appalachian Regional

health care worker development and support, the trend we are currently experiencing of not being able to care for those in need, especially our most vulnerable populations, will rapidly worsen.

525

employer participants

Commission, we are also able to navigate nurses through the system. That’s an impact… We really couldn’t have done any of this without the support of the Health Foundation,” says Richard.

2021 Annual Report

23

Buffalo Center For Health Equity: Advocating For Community Voice In American Rescue Plan Allocations

The Buffalo Center for Health Equity (BCHE)

Over the summer of 2021, the coalition organized a series

works to eliminate racial, economic, and

of convenings, canvassing, and outreach that provided

geographic-based health inequities in

an opportunity for members of the public to help identify

western New York by changing the social

critical community needs. Using this information, the

and economic conditions that have an

group developed an outline of recommendations that

impact on health outcomes for people in

includes strategic approaches and priorities for addressing

Buffalo and the surrounding area. When

racial and socioeconomic health disparities in the city of

$331 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP)

Buffalo and surrounding areas. These recommendations

funds was allocated to Buffalo in May 2021,

were submitted to local elected officials and public figures

the BCHE team knew this funding was a

who are making decisions on the use of American Rescue

rare and important opportunity to make

Plan funds.

lasting, transformational change for the communities it serves—but only if the voice of that community was included in the decisionmaking process.

Kyla Carter, an equity consultant with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity, noted that responses from public officials have been minimal so far, though the coalition is continuing to advocate for their recommendations.

The BCHE team formed a community coalition to advocate for these funds to be distributed with a focus on health equity, to ensure long-lasting, system-wide changes were made. The Health Foundation has supported the coalition’s advocacy work as it aligns with our mid-term goal that equitable care and insurance are available and accessible for all people.

“While we may not have had the direct response we

organizational leaders from a variety of

The Health Foundation’s support has helped the Collaborative continue building this statewide infrastructure and further develop a resource called the Health Workforce Hub, a digital platform that One of the greatest challenges facing health

brings together key health workforce stakeholders.

care providers in New York State—and across the

The Hub offers valuable health workforce

country—is addressing workforce shortages. While

development information, tools, and resources, such

all sectors of health care have been affected by these

as a career center, a training center, a networking

shortages, the long-term services and supports

center, and a marketplace where a host of programs,

industry that serves older adults and people with

products, and services are posted for review and

disabilities continues to face a critical lack of workers.

engagement by health care employers.

This can lead to reduced care access and quality and

would have liked, we’ve seen how the work has informed

more difficult working conditions for overextended

The essential workforce data collected through the

the positionality of local government as it relates to the

care workers, most of whom are women of color.

project’s efforts will serve to guide coordinated

intersections between health equity, racial disparities, and

These issues were only exacerbated by the COVID-19

workforce planning and facilitate joint advocacy. The

addressing social determinants of health during COVID-19,”

pandemic.

Collaborative is conducting extensive outreach and

Kyla said.

Kyla notes that the coalition will continue to collaborate in order to build on its existing work and contribute to

The community coalition is made up of

Building a Stronger Health Care Workforce

discussions on how health equity is considered in the use of remaining ARP funds and future public funding.

incorporating existing workforce efforts in western With funding from the Health Foundation, the Health

and central New York counties.

Workforce Collaborative (HWC) has taken on these issues with the goal of strengthening coordination and collaboration in existing workforce development efforts. Through this program, the HWC’s work

100

HWC programs

“The work speaks for itself. We now have over 100 programs, over 200 educational institutions,

sectors: community-based organizations,

supports our mid-term goal that community-based

philanthropy, faith leaders, the private sector,

organizations are financially sustainable, strong,

participants’ fingertips to better

and more. Their work has been focused on

and working collaboratively with health and other

develop themselves for the

systems. This work also aligns with the key priorities

health workforce,” said Richard

researching, strategizing, and developing action plans that place equity at the forefront in the distribution of ARP funds and future government dollars allocated to western New York.

“I am encouraged by how the Health Foundation has recognized the need to include multiple voices from the Black community in order to inform itself how to best invest in real health equity.”

PASTOR GEORGE NICHOLAS BCHE

identified by advocates from across New York State— including Health Workforce Collaborative and the Health Foundation—in advocating for New York’s Master Plan for Aging.

200

educational institutions

and 525 employers at our

Merchant, Chief Executive Officer of Health Workforce New York.

One career seeker even said, “I was just taking a peek at the website and found exactly

The Health Workforce Collaborative believes that

what I was looking for!” Thanks

without a community-focused infrastructure of

to the Appalachian Regional

health care worker development and support, the trend we are currently experiencing of not being able to care for those in need, especially our most vulnerable populations, will rapidly worsen.

525

employer participants

Commission, we are also able to navigate nurses through the system. That’s an impact… We really couldn’t have done any of this without the support of the Health Foundation,” says Richard.

2021 Annual Report

23

“Over the past year, we have seen significant examples

Research shows that social determinants of health such as housing, literacy, childcare, employment, financial assistance, nutrition, and food security are drivers of health outcomes. Social care service providers play an important role in improving the health of our community by helping to address those social factors. However, many community-based organizations do not have the ability or resources to track and analyze data, or to share that data with other public or nonprofit service providers.

A Health Foundation-funded project led by Healthy Community Alliance (HCA) is working to make it easier and more efficient for these service providers to analyze

The data sharing network powered by allco was also

and use cases of how this system is improving internal

used to efficiently and effectively coordinate and

agency intake, communication, and referral, as well as

deliver the COVID Rent Relief Program funded by the

cross-agency referrals and service coordination,” said Ann

CARES Act, ensuring those who were in the greatest

Battaglia, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Community

need for housing assistance during the pandemic

Alliance. “In the case of Healthy Community Alliance, we

received it in a timely manner.

did not have a CRM or data collection tool for our internal

“It is also our hope that the community data will help

information and referral. This tool has improved our

care coordinators, community planners, and health

internal community member tracking and our ability to

advocates better anticipate needs and address

report out on our outcomes.”

the causes of poor health,” noted Battaglia. “Most

allco and the social care data sharing network have also

important, however, we hope that improvements in

been leveraged in the Strong Starts Chautauqua System

referral and service coordination through technology

Integration project, where cross-sector partners share

will have a lasting impact on our community

information and referrals to improve service coordination

members who are most in need through improved

and treatment for expectant mothers and young children

access and connection to critical health and human

impacted by substance use.

services.”

outcomes, share information, and reinforce the impact that social care services are making on community health.

Leadership Fellows CALL to Action grant, tested the

co

m

idea of how a Community Information Exchange (CIE) might help improve service coordination and referrals

HCA partnered with WellConnected, LLC, and Fellows-led organizations to develop and test allco—a

service providers and systems, similarly to how health care systems share patient data. This network of sharing social care information facilitates proactive, person-

fo o

d p a n tr y

pl

oy

m e n t a s si s

ta

ou

s in

c

e

care data sharing network between and among different

e

community data sharing platform that creates a social

h

Data That Drives Health

b

determinants of health and related outcomes.

em

Connecting The Dots And Closing Loops:

n it y m e m

across agencies and systems to better address social

nc

Ashley Randolph, Healthy Community Alliance Navigator

mu

er

The project, which launched in 2020 as part of a Health

n g a s si s t a

be

ha

vi o r a l h e a

lt h

centered, and holistic community-based care.

“This tool has improved our internal community member tracking and our ability to report out on our outcomes.”

ANN BATTAGLIA Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Community Alliance

Aligned with our midterm goal that community-based organizations are financially sustainable, strong, and working collaboratively with health and other systems, this community asset has already reached more than 40 health and human service organizations across three counties. In February 2022, allco announced that 211WNY’s call center would now be using the platform to track callers’ needs and make digital referrals, further closing the communication loop between service providers and ensuring community members have

24

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

linkages to the services they need.

intake record

 coordinator dashboard  closed loop referral  insights & reporting allco’s Model of CBO Cross- coordination

“Over the past year, we have seen significant examples

Research shows that social determinants of health such as housing, literacy, childcare, employment, financial assistance, nutrition, and food security are drivers of health outcomes. Social care service providers play an important role in improving the health of our community by helping to address those social factors. However, many community-based organizations do not have the ability or resources to track and analyze data, or to share that data with other public or nonprofit service providers.

A Health Foundation-funded project led by Healthy Community Alliance (HCA) is working to make it easier and more efficient for these service providers to analyze

The data sharing network powered by allco was also

and use cases of how this system is improving internal

used to efficiently and effectively coordinate and

agency intake, communication, and referral, as well as

deliver the COVID Rent Relief Program funded by the

cross-agency referrals and service coordination,” said Ann

CARES Act, ensuring those who were in the greatest

Battaglia, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Community

need for housing assistance during the pandemic

Alliance. “In the case of Healthy Community Alliance, we

received it in a timely manner.

did not have a CRM or data collection tool for our internal

“It is also our hope that the community data will help

information and referral. This tool has improved our

care coordinators, community planners, and health

internal community member tracking and our ability to

advocates better anticipate needs and address

report out on our outcomes.”

the causes of poor health,” noted Battaglia. “Most

allco and the social care data sharing network have also

important, however, we hope that improvements in

been leveraged in the Strong Starts Chautauqua System

referral and service coordination through technology

Integration project, where cross-sector partners share

will have a lasting impact on our community

information and referrals to improve service coordination

members who are most in need through improved

and treatment for expectant mothers and young children

access and connection to critical health and human

impacted by substance use.

services.”

outcomes, share information, and reinforce the impact that social care services are making on community health.

Leadership Fellows CALL to Action grant, tested the

co

m

idea of how a Community Information Exchange (CIE) might help improve service coordination and referrals

HCA partnered with WellConnected, LLC, and Fellows-led organizations to develop and test allco—a

service providers and systems, similarly to how health care systems share patient data. This network of sharing social care information facilitates proactive, person-

fo o

d p a n tr y

pl

oy

m e n t a s si s

ta

ou

s in

c

e

care data sharing network between and among different

e

community data sharing platform that creates a social

h

Data That Drives Health

b

determinants of health and related outcomes.

em

Connecting The Dots And Closing Loops:

n it y m e m

across agencies and systems to better address social

nc

Ashley Randolph, Healthy Community Alliance Navigator

mu

er

The project, which launched in 2020 as part of a Health

n g a s si s t a

be

ha

vi o r a l h e a

lt h

centered, and holistic community-based care.

“This tool has improved our internal community member tracking and our ability to report out on our outcomes.”

ANN BATTAGLIA Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Community Alliance

Aligned with our midterm goal that community-based organizations are financially sustainable, strong, and working collaboratively with health and other systems, this community asset has already reached more than 40 health and human service organizations across three counties. In February 2022, allco announced that 211WNY’s call center would now be using the platform to track callers’ needs and make digital referrals, further closing the communication loop between service providers and ensuring community members have

24

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

linkages to the services they need.

intake record

 coordinator dashboard  closed loop referral  insights & reporting allco’s Model of CBO Cross- coordination

IDEA Center to implement universal

“A few years ago, someone wrote

livability. One resident noted how

design methodology in their

an article titled, ‘Fulton, New

age-friendly work. Oneida County

York: America’s Sad Story,’ for a

front steps was: “I used to have to

partnered with the Parkway Center

newspaper in Syracuse. When

hold on tight for fear of falling, and

much of a relief the widening of his

and the Community Foundation of

I read the story, it felt like there

my wife couldn’t even go out the

Herkimer and Oneida Counties to

was no hope, and that our best

door. Now it’s so easy for both of us

incorporate livability work into their

days were behind us,” said Linda

to get in and out again.”

Age-Friendly Center of Excellence.

Eagan, Administrative Director of Fulton Block Builders (FBB),

The Tompkins County Age-Friendly

a neighborhood revitalization

Center for Excellence has been

program that helps both

working to give people of all ages

homeowners and property

a community that supports their

owners recover part of the cost

needs and lets them thrive. Its

of their property improvements

primary goal is developing healthy

by providing small grants for

aging by transforming the social and

these investments. These efforts

physical environment to support

are strongly aligned with age-

health and well-being for community

friendly principles that help create

members across the lifespan.

communities where people of all ages can thrive.

All three counties have served

Supporting Healthy Aging Across New York State

In 2017, New York became the first AgeFriendly State in the country. To support these efforts, the Health Foundation provided grants in Erie, Oneida, and Tompkins counties in

supporting several efforts to implement agefriendly practices and principles across our community. This aligns with our mid-term goal that communities and health systems are working collaboratively to become agefriendly. Age-friendly environments are free from physical and social barriers and supported by policies, systems, services, and technologies that promote health across the lifespan, and enable people to continue to do the things they value at any age. The Health Foundation’s advocacy for New York’s Master Plan for Aging is closely related, as advocates say the statewide plan should build on and learn from existing agefriendly efforts.

26

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

All FBB programs and projects are resident-led initiatives to

collaborative as they prepare to

improve the quality of life, safety,

establish their own centers of

and livability of neighborhoods.

excellence.

With support from the Health Foundation, Fulton Block Builders

Partnership And Learning Through Centers Of Excellence

in 2019 to establish Centers of Excellence

In 2021, the Health Foundation continued

as mentors for other New York counties participating in the learning

partnership with the New York State Office for the Aging’s Age-Friendly Planning Grant Program. The program helps communities and local governments incorporate healthy, agefriendly community principles into all relevant policies, plans, ordinances, and programs. The Health Foundation’s funding also provided additional support for the state’s program by underwriting a learning collaborative and technical assistance program led by the New York Academy of Medicine.

In Erie County, the focus of the Center of Excellence has been on embedding age-friendly principles and vocabulary into each of the Office for the Aging departments. Their efforts include a partnership with the University at Buffalo’s

created a replication manual that

Fulton Block Builders: Achieving Livability, One Neighbor At A Time

can guide other communities in developing similar programs.

Age-Friendly Health Systems Across New York State Older adults face largely-preventable challenges in accessing patientcentered care in health systems, from overmedication to falls to treatable cognitive concerns. AgeFriendly Health Systems (AFHS), an initiative of The John A. Harford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), uses a set of four evidence-based elements—known as the 4Ms (Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility)—to organize the care of older adults and improve care.

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) launched the first phase of the New York State Action Community in 2020, leading to 37 teams achieving Age-Friendly

Like many American cities,

status across the state. The Health

the economy of Fulton, New

Foundation is helping to fund

York, was once fueled by large

this effort, along with funding

manufacturers. The city’s residents

partners the New York State Health

benefited from dozens of factories—

Foundation and the Fan Fox & Leslie

including the likes of Birdseye,

R. Samuels Foundation.

Miller Brewing, and Nestlé—which employed over 3,000 workers combined. When those and other

“We measure success through

plants closed, however, Fulton

homeowner investment and

was left with high unemployment

community involvement,” said

rates, depressed property values,

Eagan. “In five short years, Fulton

and elimination of city-sponsored

Block Builders has generated a

programs. These blows affected

strong movement that is quickly

the city’s quality of life and, with

rebuilding pride in Fulton.”

sections of the city in disrepair and unemployment at an all-time high,

In one year, FBB supported 70

Fulton residents were losing hope

older adults in the modification of

and pride in their hometown.

their homes for easier access and

In Phase 2, HANYS aims to include a broader range of participants and activities with the goal of further expanding the statewide AFHS movement to provide the quality care that aligns with what matters to older adults and their families. The Health Foundation will continue its support with their previous funding partners, now including the New York Community Trust.

2021 Annual Report

27

IDEA Center to implement universal

“A few years ago, someone wrote

livability. One resident noted how

design methodology in their

an article titled, ‘Fulton, New

age-friendly work. Oneida County

York: America’s Sad Story,’ for a

front steps was: “I used to have to

partnered with the Parkway Center

newspaper in Syracuse. When

hold on tight for fear of falling, and

much of a relief the widening of his

and the Community Foundation of

I read the story, it felt like there

my wife couldn’t even go out the

Herkimer and Oneida Counties to

was no hope, and that our best

door. Now it’s so easy for both of us

incorporate livability work into their

days were behind us,” said Linda

to get in and out again.”

Age-Friendly Center of Excellence.

Eagan, Administrative Director of Fulton Block Builders (FBB),

The Tompkins County Age-Friendly

a neighborhood revitalization

Center for Excellence has been

program that helps both

working to give people of all ages

homeowners and property

a community that supports their

owners recover part of the cost

needs and lets them thrive. Its

of their property improvements

primary goal is developing healthy

by providing small grants for

aging by transforming the social and

these investments. These efforts

physical environment to support

are strongly aligned with age-

health and well-being for community

friendly principles that help create

members across the lifespan.

communities where people of all ages can thrive.

All three counties have served

Supporting Healthy Aging Across New York State

In 2017, New York became the first AgeFriendly State in the country. To support these efforts, the Health Foundation provided grants in Erie, Oneida, and Tompkins counties in

supporting several efforts to implement agefriendly practices and principles across our community. This aligns with our mid-term goal that communities and health systems are working collaboratively to become agefriendly. Age-friendly environments are free from physical and social barriers and supported by policies, systems, services, and technologies that promote health across the lifespan, and enable people to continue to do the things they value at any age. The Health Foundation’s advocacy for New York’s Master Plan for Aging is closely related, as advocates say the statewide plan should build on and learn from existing agefriendly efforts.

26

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

All FBB programs and projects are resident-led initiatives to

collaborative as they prepare to

improve the quality of life, safety,

establish their own centers of

and livability of neighborhoods.

excellence.

With support from the Health Foundation, Fulton Block Builders

Partnership And Learning Through Centers Of Excellence

in 2019 to establish Centers of Excellence

In 2021, the Health Foundation continued

as mentors for other New York counties participating in the learning

partnership with the New York State Office for the Aging’s Age-Friendly Planning Grant Program. The program helps communities and local governments incorporate healthy, agefriendly community principles into all relevant policies, plans, ordinances, and programs. The Health Foundation’s funding also provided additional support for the state’s program by underwriting a learning collaborative and technical assistance program led by the New York Academy of Medicine.

In Erie County, the focus of the Center of Excellence has been on embedding age-friendly principles and vocabulary into each of the Office for the Aging departments. Their efforts include a partnership with the University at Buffalo’s

created a replication manual that

Fulton Block Builders: Achieving Livability, One Neighbor At A Time

can guide other communities in developing similar programs.

Age-Friendly Health Systems Across New York State Older adults face largely-preventable challenges in accessing patientcentered care in health systems, from overmedication to falls to treatable cognitive concerns. AgeFriendly Health Systems (AFHS), an initiative of The John A. Harford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), uses a set of four evidence-based elements—known as the 4Ms (Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility)—to organize the care of older adults and improve care.

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) launched the first phase of the New York State Action Community in 2020, leading to 37 teams achieving Age-Friendly

Like many American cities,

status across the state. The Health

the economy of Fulton, New

Foundation is helping to fund

York, was once fueled by large

this effort, along with funding

manufacturers. The city’s residents

partners the New York State Health

benefited from dozens of factories—

Foundation and the Fan Fox & Leslie

including the likes of Birdseye,

R. Samuels Foundation.

Miller Brewing, and Nestlé—which employed over 3,000 workers combined. When those and other

“We measure success through

plants closed, however, Fulton

homeowner investment and

was left with high unemployment

community involvement,” said

rates, depressed property values,

Eagan. “In five short years, Fulton

and elimination of city-sponsored

Block Builders has generated a

programs. These blows affected

strong movement that is quickly

the city’s quality of life and, with

rebuilding pride in Fulton.”

sections of the city in disrepair and unemployment at an all-time high,

In one year, FBB supported 70

Fulton residents were losing hope

older adults in the modification of

and pride in their hometown.

their homes for easier access and

In Phase 2, HANYS aims to include a broader range of participants and activities with the goal of further expanding the statewide AFHS movement to provide the quality care that aligns with what matters to older adults and their families. The Health Foundation will continue its support with their previous funding partners, now including the New York Community Trust.

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They schedule and attend medical appointments with patients, coordinate transportation for those appointments, conduct medication reconciliations at home, and provide health literacy training.

Lifespan’s social workers visit people at home, assess needs, and link individuals and their families to supportive services.

The program has been such a success that it was recognized by the Archstone Foundation in 2019 as an Excellence in Program Innovation awardee, an annual honor recognizing programs that effectively link academic theory with applied practice in public health and aging.

“The key to the success of this menu of services is our ability to have a two-way dialogue with doctors and other medical professionals about both health and social support needs at home,” noted Ann Marie Cook, President and CEO of Lifespan. “We’ve proven this model can improve patient outcomes and reduce

Building Bridges To Community Care For Older Adults In Genesee County

social or environmental obstacles such as a lack of transportation, geographic distance to care providers, and more. There is growing evidence that shows building networks between the community organizations that help address these issues and health care systems can help improve access and care outcomes.

To address these barriers, Lifespan’s Community Care Connections (CCC) program has led an expansion of comprehensive care management and health care coordination services to Medicaid beneficiaries, age 55 and older, and other individuals with Medicare or private insurance living in Genesee County. The Health Foundation supports this work as part of our mid-term goal that communities and health systems are working collaboratively to become age-friendly.

Lifespan’s CCC program works to improve health outcomes for individuals who have medical, behavioral health, and/or social needs by helping them coordinate their care and connect to supportive services. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) health care coordinators and social work care managers work in tandem with medical providers to help individuals navigate systems.

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Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

hospitalizations, and that’s a win for everyone. It also reduces both physician and patient/family caregiver frustrations.”

The COVID-19 pandemic posed some challenges to CCC’s outreach efforts to connect to new primary care physician (PCP) offices in the beginning of the program.

“During that period, PCPs cancelled most routine appointments. Because of the stress on the health care system, it was difficult to make connections with new PCPs,” said Karin Davison, LPN Healthcare Coordinator. “After the initial barriers to the CCC program expansion in Genesee County caused by the pandemic, Lifespan has been successful in outreach efforts. We have established referral pathways with five PCP practices for patients living in Genesee County and, as a result, we exceeded

“We’ve proven this model can improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations” ANN MARIE COOK President and CEO of Lifespan

In rural communities, barriers to high-quality health care for older adults can result from

unnecessary emergency department visits and

our enrollment goal for 2021.”

The impact on patients has been clear—Karin shared the story of a Genesee County resident who was referred to Lifespan by her primary care physician. The patient’s home was in foreclosure, and her physician noted that she was having issues with medication management. Lifespan’s team connected her with an attorney that prevented her from losing her home, implemented medication management services and mail-order delivery of her medication, and is helping with coordinating medical appointments and transportation to those appointments.

“Her physician has told her that she is doing so much better than she was a year ago, due to the increased support she now has with Lifespan,” said Karin. “At every office visit, she thanks her LPN Healthcare Coordinator for being at the appointment with her and says she looks forward to seeing her again.”

Learn More About Lifespan’s Programming



2021 Annual Report

29

They schedule and attend medical appointments with patients, coordinate transportation for those appointments, conduct medication reconciliations at home, and provide health literacy training.

Lifespan’s social workers visit people at home, assess needs, and link individuals and their families to supportive services.

The program has been such a success that it was recognized by the Archstone Foundation in 2019 as an Excellence in Program Innovation awardee, an annual honor recognizing programs that effectively link academic theory with applied practice in public health and aging.

“The key to the success of this menu of services is our ability to have a two-way dialogue with doctors and other medical professionals about both health and social support needs at home,” noted Ann Marie Cook, President and CEO of Lifespan. “We’ve proven this model can improve patient outcomes and reduce

Building Bridges To Community Care For Older Adults In Genesee County

social or environmental obstacles such as a lack of transportation, geographic distance to care providers, and more. There is growing evidence that shows building networks between the community organizations that help address these issues and health care systems can help improve access and care outcomes.

To address these barriers, Lifespan’s Community Care Connections (CCC) program has led an expansion of comprehensive care management and health care coordination services to Medicaid beneficiaries, age 55 and older, and other individuals with Medicare or private insurance living in Genesee County. The Health Foundation supports this work as part of our mid-term goal that communities and health systems are working collaboratively to become age-friendly.

Lifespan’s CCC program works to improve health outcomes for individuals who have medical, behavioral health, and/or social needs by helping them coordinate their care and connect to supportive services. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) health care coordinators and social work care managers work in tandem with medical providers to help individuals navigate systems.

28

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York

hospitalizations, and that’s a win for everyone. It also reduces both physician and patient/family caregiver frustrations.”

The COVID-19 pandemic posed some challenges to CCC’s outreach efforts to connect to new primary care physician (PCP) offices in the beginning of the program.

“During that period, PCPs cancelled most routine appointments. Because of the stress on the health care system, it was difficult to make connections with new PCPs,” said Karin Davison, LPN Healthcare Coordinator. “After the initial barriers to the CCC program expansion in Genesee County caused by the pandemic, Lifespan has been successful in outreach efforts. We have established referral pathways with five PCP practices for patients living in Genesee County and, as a result, we exceeded

“We’ve proven this model can improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations” ANN MARIE COOK President and CEO of Lifespan

In rural communities, barriers to high-quality health care for older adults can result from

unnecessary emergency department visits and

our enrollment goal for 2021.”

The impact on patients has been clear—Karin shared the story of a Genesee County resident who was referred to Lifespan by her primary care physician. The patient’s home was in foreclosure, and her physician noted that she was having issues with medication management. Lifespan’s team connected her with an attorney that prevented her from losing her home, implemented medication management services and mail-order delivery of her medication, and is helping with coordinating medical appointments and transportation to those appointments.

“Her physician has told her that she is doing so much better than she was a year ago, due to the increased support she now has with Lifespan,” said Karin. “At every office visit, she thanks her LPN Healthcare Coordinator for being at the appointment with her and says she looks forward to seeing her again.”

Learn More About Lifespan’s Programming



2021 Annual Report

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