Author: ltepfer

Thank You To Our Community Health Workers!

For the past seven years, Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) has been training Community Health Workers (CHWs). SI PPS is an apprenticeship sponsor and has trained over 200 CHWs in New York City and Long Island. SI PPS partners with employers to graduate trainees by providing additional support such as mentorship, transportation stipends, financial incentives, and job preparation. College of Staten Island is the key training partner to offer a certified community health worker training program.

SI PPS has been designated as a Social Care Network released which was announced by Governor Hochul on August 7, 2024. Social Care Networks will address health disparities in low-income communities by leveraging federal funding to connect Medicaid members to nutritional meals, housing supports, transportation and other social services. CHWs will be an integral member connecting Medicaid members to services to impact the individual’s overall health.

This week is National Community Health Worker Awareness week. Staten Island Performing Provider System is an apprenticeship sponsor and would like to acknowledge the great work being done by our partnering employers and apprentices in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member or has a particularly good understanding of the community served. CHWs are some of the most trusted voices in the community when it comes to health because they come from the communities they serve. And they are one of the best ways to tackle health inequity and health disparities.

CHWs serve as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. CHWs can operate under many different titles including Patient Navigator, Community Health Advisor, Maternal/Infant Health Outreach Specialist, Peer Educator, etc.

One of the CHWs that SI PPS sponsored was Crystal Deleon from Community Health Center of Richmond (CHCR). Crystal leads the Enhanced Postpartum Care Project for CHCR. She creates postpartum plans for the fourth trimester alongside patients. Crystal also provides follow-up postpartum check-ins, educational workshops on childbirth for expecting mothers, safe sleep, and breastfeeding. Crystal said “The most rewarding part of her Community Health Worker apprenticeship is reconnecting with mothers and checking in after they deliver the baby”.

In addition to CHCR, there are several employers that we would like to highlight for the CHW apprenticeship. These partners offer services for the homeless, individuals living with HIV, and people with chronic conditions. These are the partners we have worked with for the CHW program:

1. A Chance in Life

2. AIRnyc

3. Central Family Life Center

4. Community Health Action of Staten Island

5. Community Health Center of Richmond

6. Long Island Coalition for the Homeless

7. Harmony Healthcare Long Island

8. Maimonides

9. Make the Road New York

10. Project Hospitality

11. Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness

The SI PPS CHW training program has 3 phases:

1. The first phase is all virtual. This is the CHW training program provided by College of Staten Island, held 3 evenings per week on Zoom, for 8 weeks. Each session meets for 2-3 hours.

2. The second phase provides upskilling for an additional 5 weeks with three evenings per week virtually on Zoom. Each session meets for 2-3 hours.

3. The third phase is all in-person and is a 6-week on-the-job training program at clinical partner sites such as hospitals, federally qualified health center and/or an ambulatory care center. $600-$1,200 stipend available for trainee.

This past year, Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) sponsored the Lay Counselor training. The Lay Counselor Academy provided a 14-week course for lay counselors who are people without traditional mental health education but can complete the Lay Counselor Academy training to learn how to provide crucial support to community members in need.

SI PPS will continue to sponsor training programs so if you or anyone you know are interested, please reach out to Connor Stapleton at cstapleton@statenislandpps.org to find out more details. We are accepting applicants until 9/9/24.

Happy National Community Health Worker Week! (August 26th-August 30th)

 

 

 

Happy National Community Health Worker (CHW) Awareness Week! This week (August 26th-August 30th) we are celebrating CHWs for their achievements and hard work in the community. CHWs serve as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services. They improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Thank you to all the CHWs who have made a positive impact! To learn more about National Community Health Worker Week, visit nachw.org/nchwaw and to learn more about the CHW role and opportunities, visit statenislandpps.org/community-health-worker.

We’re Hiring! Administrative Assistant

Job Title: Administrative Assistant

Status: Full Time, Exempt

 

Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) is a non-profit organization participating in the New York State Department of Health 1115 Medicaid waiver amendment, New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER). Under the waiver, SI PPS is designated as a lead entity to support the Richmond County Social Care Network (SCN). The SCN lead entity is responsible for coordinating a network of community-based organizations and providers to better enable health-related social needs (HRSN) screening and the delivery of social care services. The overall goal of the program is to improve health outcomes, provide equitable access to care, and reduce health disparities.

Job Description: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Administrative Assistant will work closely with the Executive Assistant to support senior leadership and program directors with administrative and general office support functions. The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for meeting coordination, scheduling and support, front office maintenance, supply ordering and inventory, office organization and special projects as assigned. The Administrative Assistant will collaborate and communicate with all staff on a regular basis and is expected to understand SCN program concepts and goals.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Debrief with the Executive Assistant and the SI PPS team daily to provide schedule reminders and office updates
  • Coordinate meetings with internal program directors and external stakeholders including but not limited to: maintaining internal calendars, providing outreach and correspondence, scheduling calendar invites, confirming meeting times and participants, preparing and sending agendas and other meeting materials, and providing and scheduling follow-up if needed
  • Provide direct meeting support including ordering and setting up refreshments, conference room inventory and stocking, preparing, distributing, printing and loading meeting materials and presentations, managing in-room meeting technology, tracking meeting attendance, taking meeting minutes and sending follow up materials and correspondence to meeting participants
  • Assist SI PPS team with event planning including: procuring venues, curating menus, preparing agendas and set-up/break-down of conference spaces
  • Assist SI PPS team with off-site meeting preparation for external stakeholder engagement meetings, Town Halls, conferences and other large meetings
  • Greet and host guests; manage office sign-in procedure and vendor logs
  • Answer main SI PPS phone line; triage calls, take messages and/or perform warm hand-off phone transfers to SI PPS staff
  • Organize and maintain shared main office spaces and conference room; ensure supplies and materials are organized and stored properly; printer stocking and maintenance; ensure meeting spaces are clean and free of clutter
  • Place supply orders and maintain inventory of office supplies; keep supply closets neat, labeled and organized

 

 

Qualifications

 

Education:

  • High School Diploma, GED or HSE required
  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred
  • At least 5 years prior administrative experience required, healthcare experience preferred

 

Skills/Requirements:

  • Proven customer service skills and experience
  • Strong organizational and critical thinking skills
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Coordination of diverse groups of people, organizations, and providers
  • Ability to travel <25% on Staten Island for off-site meetings and partner engagement events
  • Flexibility to attend occasional off-hour events hosted by SI PPS

 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of task activities and/or duties that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

Professional references are required with application.

 

You can apply with your resume here.

Staten Island PPS is proud to announce being awarded the Social Care Network (SCN) lead entity for Richmond County!

Staten Island PPS is honored to have been selected as 1 of 9 organizations statewide to receive funding over the next three years to create a Social Care Network (SCN) program. The program is a key part of the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) 1115 Medicaid waiver amendment.

Serving over 100,000 Staten Islanders for nearly a decade, our diverse network of organizations provides a whole-person approach to care, integrating medical, behavioral health and social care. Read our 2023 Impact Report to learn more about our programs.

The SCN program will help address disparities by connecting Medicaid members to critical social services that have an impact on health outcomes.

With strong academic credentials documented in peer-reviewed journals, Staten Island PPS excels at leveraging cutting-edge technology, data platforms and patient facing technology. Ready to lead, we invite you to join our network. Complete this webform and a member of our team will reach out to explore a potential partnership.

Perinatal Mental Health Services are Available throughout NYC

 

Perinatal mental health services are now being offered by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Early Childhood Mental Health Services (ECMHN) clinics, focusing on the time before and after giving birth. These services are available to people who are pregnant and to parents or caregivers of newborns throughout NYC.

ECMHN clinic staff are trained to provide Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Perinatal Child-Parent Psychotherapy. These therapies are offered remotely or in person and focus on helping individuals address anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and adverse life experiences that may affect them and their baby.

Our clinicians conduct screenings to measure the levels of anxiety, depression, stress and trauma experienced by the pregnant person or new parent or caregiver, and design an appropriate treatment plan to address their individual mental health needs. Services are offered in multiple languages, and clinicians have experience working with families of all cultural backgrounds

 

Learn more about the program here.

 

 

Free Mental Health Support for NYC Teens Provided by NYC Teenspace!

 

 

NYC Health Department is providing free online mental health support to any teen who lives in New York City. Sign up for NYC Teenspace to be paired with a therapist for messaging and live virtual sessions, and receive access to online courses and tips designed just for teens. To register, visit talkspace.com/nyc.

 

You can also read the frequently asked questions here.

Blood Pressure Monitor Initiative: Success Stories

Staten Island PPS provided blood pressure monitors, provided by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to partner organizations in an effort to assist patients in the management of their hypertension by raising their awareness of their blood pressure outside the office. At the time of distribution from the partner organization to the patient, the patient receives education on the use of the device, proper technique, monitoring and be able to demonstrate knowledge and willingness to utilize as instructed. Through this program, there have been a few success stories, listed below:

 

“A 66 year old male was given a blood pressure monitor device during his primary care visit. The Medical Care team demonstrated use of machine, provided education of device usage and compliance of maintaining a daily log sheet. He received monthly outreach calls to evaluate compliance of blood pressure device usage as well as medication adherence. He stated that his blood pressure is stable and recites daily monitoring compliance. He is currently out of town and stated and that brought the device with him to continue daily monitoring. Patient appreciated outreach calls and is very happy with his outcome.”

 

“A 38 year old female with uncontrolled hypertension was given with education and demonstrated the blood pressure device and log sheets. Patient states, with daily monitoring even during stressful times, she was aware of her numbers and was compliant in taking her daily medication. Outreach calls were appreciated and patient states that her blood pressure has improved, logs are charted and adherence to daily medication maintained.”

 

“Patient stated he really appreciates us giving him the monitor. It has helped him keep track of his blood pressure and better take care of himself. His blood pressure has been 108/84.”

 

“Thank you for the monitor. I don’t have insurance, so it was hard for me to purchase one. It has helped me a lot and I am happy I have one now.”

Overview of Veterans and Active-Duty Initiatives and Programs on Staten Island

Staten Island has the highest per capita concentration of veterans of the 5 NYC boroughs and Sector New York is the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast. The main staff of Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island with one thousand active duty and reserve servicemembers. The Army Reserve 353 Civil Service Command also located at Fort Wadsworth organizes, trains, and equips soldiers to mobilize, deploy and conduct civil military operations with a primary focus in the U.S. Africa and U.S. European Command regions.

Although, we have many veterans and active-duty military service members on Staten Island, the civilian and veteran and military communities and services are not as well integrated and aware of each other as they might be.

In March of 2020, Commissioner James Hendon of the New York City Department of Veteran Services (DVS) in collaboration with the Substance and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) held a Crisis Intercept Mapping session at Fort Wadsworth with the goal of creating a community-based Veteran Suicide Prevention program as a pilot for the other four boroughs. This initiative was driven by the fact that the suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times that of the general population. After the meeting, a partnership was established with the Staten Island Performing Provider System, (SIPPS) to create the Staten Island Veterans Suicide Prevention Collaborative (SIVSPC). SI PPS is the premier solutions-based, data-driven health program in our region, coordinating program delivery to 25,000 Staten Island residents annually. Founded in 2014, SI PPS has brought together the often-disconnected healthcare community to improve services on Staten Island in partnership with 50+ organizations.

Based on the success of the Staten Island Crisis Intercept Mapping pilot collaboration between DVS and SIPPS, similar initiatives were launched in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.

Since June of 2020, SIVSPC has hosted nine webinars of assorted topics of suicide prevention with an average audience of forty-five participants from the Staten Island Veteran and civilian communities as well as others from Veteran regional and national communities.

In June of 2020, SIPPS received grant funding for 6 SIPPS civilian partner to provide outreach individuals who received services from them and who identified as having served in the military. The civilian partners were Project Hospitality, Richmond University Medical Center, Community Health Action of Staten Island, YMCA, Silverlake Services, Meals on Wheels and Bridge Back to Life. The outreach was to determine Social Determinants of Health needs, i.e., housing, food, employment, medical and behavioral health.

Based on telephone outreach, 252 services were delivered with 125 Veterans were connected to health and social services, forty-eight to food pantries, twenty-three for utility and income support, nineteen for housing or eviction prevention, sixteen for behavioral health. 31,476 meals were delivered to veterans by Meals on Wheels and case workers outreached 150 veterans by phone whose spouses passed away or needed other Covid 19 related support.

This initiative brought home the fact that many veterans on Staten Island were receiving services in civilian organizations but that the civilian organizations were not necessarily considering the impact of the military culture on these individuals. It also brought home the need to provide military cultural competence training to civilian organizations and individuals.

As a result of the DVS partnership, we were connected to Colonel Paul Dietrich, Staten Island representative to the New York City Veterans Advisory Board. Colonel Dietrich participates in many veteran organizations and activities on Staten Island including participating in the Veterans Court as a volunteer mentor with the Staten Island Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP is a national AmeriCorps organization piloted on Staten Island 57 years ago. RSVP created a Veterans Taskforce in 2016. SIPPS and SIVSPC combined efforts and partners and created the RSVP/SIPPS Staten Island Veterans Taskforce which began meeting on a bimonthly basis in June of 2021. In 2023, we began hybrid meetings with both in person and virtual participants. Participants include DVS, individual veterans, RSVP volunteers, RSVP staff, the Harbor VA Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, the Staten Island VA Community Clinic, the Staten Island Vet Center, Veterans Yoga Project, the College of Staten Island Veteran program, CHASI, Blue Star Families, Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center, the Staten Island Borough Presidents Office, State Assemblyman Tannoukis, State Senator Jessica Scarcella and many others.

In our Taskforce meetings, it became clear that food insecurity was a significant challenge for the veteran and active-duty population. As a result, we formed the Staten Island Veterans Food Insecurity Taskforce which began meeting on a bimonthly basis in September of 2022. Participants include SIUH, Meals on Wheels, Gods Love We Deliver, Harbor VA Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, DVS, New York Military One Source, CHASI, City Harvest and NYC Department of Probation.

The Food Insecurity Taskforce supported the development of the Department of Probation Veterans Neon Kitchen program which provides free and nutritious groceries for our Staten Island Veteran and active duty individual and families. The Veterans Neon Kitchen program joined the Food Insecurity Taskforce which supported it by publicizing it through the network. The Veterans Program was piloted in the Bronx and Staten Island in the spring of 2023. The Bronx pilot ended because there was not sufficient attendance, but the Staten Island program has become permanent.

The Food Insecurity Taskforce also provides support to the Blue Star Families Nourish the Service food pantry at the Coast Guard Station. Every other week, 125 military individuals representing five hundred family members obtain food and supplies.

The Taskforce obtained New York State Dwyer funding through DVS to provide weekly Yoga classes to Veterans at the Staten Island Gold Star American Legion Post. The yoga classes are given by the Veteran Yoga Project, a national organization whose mission is to provide free yoga to veterans. There have been 30 classes held since June of 2023. Participants report their pre and post class levels of pain and distress. They report a 81% reduction in distress and 76 % reduction in pain after the class.

The participation in the Taskforce is growing exponentially, currently with over seventy organizations and individuals involved. Because of this growth, we have made significant changes to the Taskforce organization and procedures for 2024.

  • An Advisory Committee has been formed and met for the first time in December.
  • A monthly newsletter will begin publishing in January of 2024.
  • Monthly hybrid Meetings will be held monthly starting in January of 2024 with issues of Food Insecurity, Volunteers and College students covered in each meeting.
  • The Advisory Committee approved a Mission Statement.

 

Mission:

The Staten Island Veterans Taskforce is a collaborative network comprising more than seventy military and civilian entities and dedicated individuals. Its first objective is to identify pressing challenges encountered by Veterans, service members and their families in Staten Island, and to formulate actionable strategies to address these issues. The Taskforce’s secondary objective is information and resource sharing. The third objective is to provide referrals for individuals in need of services to the appropriate agency or Taskforce member for assistance.

Reflections of 2023: A Letter from Our Executive Director

As 2023 concludes, looking back on the achievements and the work ahead helps us frame our goals for 2024. The PPS continues to direct financial and strategic support for its partner organizations, implement population health and work force initiatives that focus on health equity in our community. Nearly 4 years post the DSRIP waiver, the PPS partner organizations continue to distinguish themselves in implementing innovative programs in the most challenging health domains like maternal health, substance use disorder, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, social determinants of health, Veteran and active duty programs, children’s health and prevention services.

The highlights for the PPS and its partners this year made a difference in many people’s lives. They include:

  • Achieving an 81% reduction in overdose and overdose deaths for the 650 individuals engaged in the Hotspotting program, implemented by SIUH, RUMC, CHASI and RCDA team and funded by a grant from Secure Futures Project and Northwell Health funds. Year 2 is underway with very positive results.
  • Becoming a Medicaid Innovation Collaborative grant winner for New York State to implement a program with Healthfirst and tech innovators, Ready Computing and Samaritan, to engage individuals disconnected from care, homeless with chronic disease.
  • Receiving the first ever SAMHSA Grant of $1.6 million for diversion from justice involvement for individuals affected with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder.
  • Social Determinant of Health – completed 10,000 with 7,000 needs closed by partner CBOs’ and connecting 2000 back to primary and behavioral care. Financial, education and housing are among the highest needs and most difficult to fill. We need resources and innovative ways to close these gaps.
  • Receiving the Community Health Worker Grant of $6 million from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in conjunction with Community Health Center of Richmond,  to train over 400 individuals in community health skills. We will add a Lay Counselor component in 2024 to expand community level behavioral health connections.
  • Training over 100 individuals in apprenticeships roles in Certified Peer Recovery Advocate, Community Health Worker, Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistants under the Apprenticeship Building America Grant of $4 million.
  • Awarding grants, in partnership with the Staten Island Not for Profit Association, to 5 new partner organizations and welcomed them into the PPS network.
  • Participating in community action to bring $12 million in settlement funds to Staten Island alongside Sam Pirozzolo, DA Mike McMahon, Borough President Fossella and our partner organizations.
  • Flourishing  Veterans and active duty programming: In partnership with NYC Veterans’ Commissioner James Hendon and State Senator Jessica Scarcella Committee Chair, a Blue Star Families program at Fort Hamilton Coast Guard base currently provides food and supplies to 120 individuals representing 500 families. Thy Veterans Yoga Project provides weekly classes at the Staten Island Gold Star Post. There have been 9 webinars on Veteran suicide prevention. Our partner CHASI is being grant supported to do buddy checks on vulnerable veterans and food deliveries.
  • A continued academic relationship with MIT, George Mason University, NYU, and CSI and are expanding with Columbia University and Wagner College.
  • The 39-member class of Wagner College Physician Assistants (class of ’26), which has been a great addition to our community health work team. Kudos to Nora Lowy, Program Director for her vision.
  • Several publications accepted in behavioral health, machine learning and quality improvement. PPS achievements have been highlighted in multiple media and staff has presented around the country and in the UK.
  • Developing a learning collaborative with Leeds Integrated Care Board and visiting the UK for 3 days of intense workshops focused on improving quality, access and outcome with an incredibly dedicated team led by Tim Ryley. Many thanks to Martin Charters and Manraj Khela.
  • Welcoming dynamic new partners, including, Mount Sinai Church, Super Health Pharmacy, Air-NYC Asthma Services, SI Not for profit Association, Blue Star Families, A Chance in Life Pantry, A Chance in Life, Celebrate Hope, Health 4 Youths, K Woods Foundation, COJO SI and a returning partner Make the Road NY.
  • Expanding relationships with existing partners to include navigation services, including, Pride Center, PCCS, JCC and El Centro to bring capacity for the 1115 Waiver.

 

For 2024, the long awaited 1115 Waiver remains a priority, but the PPS has embarked on numerous initiatives that will also shape the direction of population health on Staten Island.

  • In January, we will begin testing ways for patients to complete their own SDOH screening with ambulatory practices using mobile technology.
  • We are working on implementing the Diversion Program for individuals with co-occurring conditions with the RCDA, Legal Aid Society, NYPD and clinical partners.
  • Fair Start, Food as Medicine research project will be implemented in collaboration with Columbia University School of public Health and professor Heather Butts, a tireless advocate for Staten Island, and Wagner College focusing food insecurity in Veterans, College students and NYCHA residents.
  • Expanding off of Staten Island is a priority and multiple efforts will come to fruition this year in Hotspotting, Lay Counselor training as part of the CHW curriculum, expansion of workforce efforts with Health and Welfare Council of LI, One Brooklyn Health, Air-NYC and others.
  • We have the Safe Prescribing Pledge event scheduled for March 27th where we expect over 250 prescribers to renew their commitment to judicious opioid prescribing and alternative paths to pain management.
  • Medical support presence at food pantries is a goal of ’24, reaching people “where they are at” starts with consistent presence, coaching and health supports with those most in need.
  • Veterans for Life, a food insecurity program focused on active-duty service members transitioning to civilian life is being launched on Staten Island at the Fort Hamilton Coast Guard base. The program developed in Texas is being piloted in New York on Staten Island in collaboration with Onwards Ops, a national suicide prevention program, Blue Families, a national program supporting military families and Shoprite.
  • Healthy Start is a new initiative reaching into Head Start and other day care programs to develop trust, and create a path for healthy habits in nutrition, obesity prevention, vaccination awareness and active life style.

 

Many thanks to our friends and supporters who have worked with us to access resources, connect with new partners and expand the orbit of our work. There is much to be thankful for in 2023 and we are looking forward to a highly productive 2024 with the help of all our partners and supporters. This is especially so for our parent organization, Northwell Health. When many PPS were closed down in 2020, their commitment, along with the SIUH Executive Director, Brahim Ardolic, to keep the PPS efforts going in this community speaks louder than words.