Meeting with Elected OfficialsThis week, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Borrello and Assemblyman Sempolinski alongside Carrie Whitwood from Ardent Solutions and Ann Battaglia from Healthy Community Alliance. We discussed the importance of increasing funding for our programs and ensuring continued support for the vital services we provide. We are grateful that both the Senator and Assemblyman each sent letters to the Governor, urging an increase in funding. Their advocacy is a positive step in recognizing the critical role our organization plays in supporting EMS and healthcare services in our region, including efforts tied to the 1115 waiver to expand access to care, harm reduction initiatives to address substance use challenges, and our Safe Kids programs to promote injury prevention and child wellness. We sincerely appreciate Senator Borrello, Assemblyman Sempolinski, and their staff for their ongoing commitment and support in advocating for the resources needed to strengthen our programs and enhance the services we provide to our communities.  Supporting Opioid Services Jordan and I met with Dawn Colburn, the Opioid Director for the Seneca Nation, and Cheryll Moore, a consultant assisting with their strategic plan to enhance opioid services. Their plan outlines 25 to 30 initiatives designed to close service gaps and provide better support for individuals affected by opioid use in Cattaraugus County.
During our discussion, we shared that while we do not currently have funding to support the harm reduction position as we have had in the past, we are committed to assisting their efforts in any way possible. We remain hopeful that Local Government Unit (LGU) funding for the harm reduction position will be approved soon, enabling us to continue our vital work in reducing opioid-related deaths in our community. Celebrating Dental Health Month with Safe Kids February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we were excited to celebrate by hosting a Safe Kids book reading at the Olean Public Library! Miranda Ellison from Valley View Dental joined us to read an engaging story to children and their families, emphasizing the importance of good oral health from an early age. This event was a great way to encourage healthy habits and highlight dental care as an essential part of overall well-being. We appreciate Miranda and Valley View Dental for their support, as well as the Olean Public Library for welcoming us. By working together, we’re helping families gain the knowledge and resources they need to support lifelong healthy smiles.
Join the March Wellbeing+ Stick With It Challenge!We’re excited to launch the March Wellbeing+ Stick With It Challenge, a fun and supportive way to build healthier habits! If you live or work in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, or Allegany County, you’re invited to join. Throughout March, participants will:
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