NOW IT IS their TURN TO LISTEN Putnam County Veterans Task Force 4th Annual Legislative Forum
NOW IT IS their TURN TO LISTEN
Putnam County Veterans Task Force 4th Annual
Legislative Forum
We have invited elected officials
Who are On the
National, State & County levels
We ask you to join us at the TOPS Center
To support Veterans legislation and issues
Being Presented to those who make the laws
November 17, 2016 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Donald B. Smith Campus
Bureau of Emergency Services Auditorium
112 Old Route 6. Carmel, NY 10512
Putnam County’s Department of Health Receives National Accreditation—First in Hudson Valley
Putnam County’s Department of Health Receives National Accreditation—First in Hudson Valley
BREWSTER, NY— The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) achieved national accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) on March 8, 2016. The five-year designation demonstrates increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations. The accreditation process works to ultimately transform the quality and performance of the nation’s more than 2,500 health departments. The PCDOH is one of fewer than 200 to have achieved this honor.
“This achievement is the result of four years of focused work by the health department,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “We should be very proud. We are the first county in the Hudson Valley and one of a select few from among the many counties in New York State.”
Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, Interim Health Commissioner, said, “This is an important national designation. Hospitals need to be accredited; now health departments can take up a similar challenge. This accomplishment of our county’s health department serves to reassure our residents that we have an efficient and effective public health system.”
PHAB president and CEO Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “The Putnam County Department of Health joins the growing ranks of accredited health departments in a strong commitment to their public health mission.” Residents served by a nationally accredited health department can be
reassured that their health department has demonstrated the capacity to protect and promote the health of their community.”
The health department’s journey to PHAB accreditation initially began in 2012 with the preliminary pre-accreditation process of strategic planning. Then in August 2013, a formal statement of intent was submitted to the accreditation board. The process wrapped up in early January 2016 with a two-day site visit by a team of trained peer examiners, familiar with typical health department procedures, who scrutinized documents and questioned staff members in face-to-face discussions.
From start to finish, partners throughout the county and nearly every staff member of the health department were engaged. The accreditation process also provided a way to measure health department performance against a set of national standards, while increasing communication and collaboration with community partners and identifying areas for improvement in the Community Health Improvement Plan. The PCDOH examined their own operations, services and mission, and formulated a strategic plan and workforce development plan. When all was done, more than 1,080 electronic files were prepared and submitted, equaling more than 1.15 gigabytes of data.
The successful conclusion was reached at the PHAB board meeting on March 8, when committee members voted after reviewing the site visitors’ final reports.
Launched in 2011, PHAB was created to serve as the national public health accreditation body and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation.
The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education.
For more information, please visit the PCDOH website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health or visit the social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth, www.facebook.com/RunWalkPutnam, www.instagram.com/PutnamHealthNY and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.
Odell to give State of the County Address March 10 at Putnam County Golf Course
Odell to give State of the County Address March 10 at Putnam County Golf Course
Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell will present the State of the County address at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Putnam County Golf Course, 187 Hill Street in Mahopac. Prior to the address, there will be a Putnam County Market Place which will open at 5:30 p.m.
As she has in the past, Odell has chosen to highlight a particular theme for the year. Odell has decided that 2016 will be “The Year of Business Development.”
“One of the greatest secrets out there is that Putnam County is the perfect place to live, work and play,’” said Odell. “We can no longer keep the secret to ourselves. Putnam County has so much to offer the business community. Business development is about promoting and supporting our existing businesses, encouraging companies to consider expanding or relocating to Putnam County and identifying solutions to the obstacles, such as infrastructure, sewer and water, which have previously prevented growth in our business community.”
Danbury Mayor Mark D. Boughton will be joining Odell to unveil a partnership between Putnam County and the City of Danbury for a Regional Economic Initiative.
In addition, the Putnam County Market Place will highlight businesses, organizations and not-for-profits from throughout county that make Putnam the place to live, work and play. Organization that would like to participate in the Putnam County Market Place can contact Heidi Kuhland at 845-808-1150 x49406 or Heidi.kuhland@putnamcountyny.gov.
For further information about Putnam County’s many services and departments, residents may visit the County website at: www.putnamcountyny.com/soc2016.
Life Saving Overdose Prevention 2016 Training Schedule:
Arms Acres
In collaboration with
Putnam Communities That Care Coalition and
Drug Crisis in Our Backyard
Presents:
Life Saving Overdose Prevention 2016 Training Schedule:
Jan. 29th March 18th May 20th July 22th Sept. 23rd Nov. 18th
Free training 12 noon to 1:30
Seating limited to 30
(Refreshments available, feel free to bring your lunch)
What you need and want to know about Narcan
• How to recognize a heroin/opioid overdose
• Best practices in the event of an overdose
• Local Stats and trends
• A heartfelt personal experience
Presenters: **Dr. Frederick Hesse & Naura Slivinsky Arms Acres
** Susan & Steve Salamone Drug Crisis In Our Backyard
**Doreen Lockwood Putnam Communities That Care Coalition
Where: Arms Acres 75 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel NY 10512
RSVP with Tammy Bender (845)704-6198 tbender@libertymgt.com
UPDATE: Free Zika Testing Expanded to Include Pregnant Women Travelers Without Symptoms
UPDATE: Free Zika Testing Expanded to Include Pregnant Women Travelers Without Symptoms
BREWSTER, NY—Free advanced testing for Zika virus infection has been expanded by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Now pregnant women without symptoms, who travelled to the areas affected by the Zika virus, can take advantage of this free testing. Previously only pregnant women with symptoms and a travel history to the areas were eligible.
“This expanded testing makes good clinical sense,” said Putnam County’s Interim Health Commissioner, Michael Nesheiwat, MD. “Because symptoms of Zika are usually mild they may go unnoticed. For pregnant women and their developing babies the results could be severe, given the link to microcephaly.”
Testing continues for all others with symptoms who have travelled to the affected areas. The procedure to be tested remains the same: residents should visit their personal healthcare provider who will work with the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) to facilitate the proper testing procedure through the NYSDOH laboratory at Wadsworth Center. Wadsworth is one of only three state laboratories in the country equipped to perform the screening and confirmatory tests of Zika antibodies and other related viruses. The NYSDOH Zika information line is 1-888-364-4723.
This public health emergency continues to evolve. The CDC is now recommending that pregnant women abstain from sex or utilize protection for the duration of their pregnancies, if their male partner has traveled to or lives in an area with active Zika transmission.
Further information on Zika virus is available at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases
The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the PCDOH website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health or visit the social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth, www.facebook.com/RunWalkPutnam, www.instagram.com/PutnamHealthNY and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.
# # #
Travelers with Zika Symptoms Are Eligible for Free Testing; Free Information Hotline Established
Travelers with Zika Symptoms Are Eligible for Free Testing;
Free Information Hotline Established
BREWSTER, NY—Putnam County residents who have traveled to areas where Zika virus infection is ongoing—and who have symptoms—can take advantage of free advanced testing by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
Testing is currently not available through commercial laboratories. Symtomatic residents can visit their personal healthcare provider who will work with the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) to facilitate the proper testing procedure through the NYSDOH laboratory at Wadsworth Center. Wadsworth is one of only three state laboratories in the country equipped to perform the screening and confirmatory tests of Zika antibodies and other related viruses.
“We urge any county resident who has traveled to one of the infected areas and has symptoms of Zika virus infection to visit their doctor promptly,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “A New York State Department of Health Zika virus information line has also been established,” she added. The number is 1-888-364-4723.
“Symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild,” explained Putnam County’s Interim Health Commissioner, Michael Nesheiwat, MD. “Fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, or red eyes, are common ones that usually begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The bigger problem appears to be a link to microcephaly, a birth defect that results from stunted brain development,so the infection is of utmost concern for pregnant women.” Symptoms can last from several days to one week. Severe infection requiring hospitalization is uncommon and fatalities are rare.
To date local transmission of Zika infection has been identified in at least 14 countries and territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, and further spread in the region is considered likely. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update their travel notices accordingly at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
All travelers to any of these areas should make prevention the highest priority. Wear long sleeves and pants, and use repellant products registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carefully following the directions. Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant should consider postponing travel to these regions. The mosquito that carries the Zika virus is an aggressive, daytime biting variety.
Confirmed Zika virus infection cases have been identified in the continental U.S., including New York State. No local transmission by mosquitoes has occurred in this country, but education and surveillance efforts are being enhanced. Prior to 2015, outbreaks of the virus had occurred only in areas of Africa, Southeast Asian and the Pacific Islands. Last May the first confirmed cases were reported in Brazil.
The Zika virus cannot be passed on through casual person-to-person contact. The CDC has confirmed a case in Texas of Zika virus infection through sexual transmission. The situation regarding Zika virus is changing rapidly as new information develops.
Zika virus infection is transmitted by the same Aedes mosquito that carries dengue and chikungunya virus, which made headlines last year. This is a tropical mosquito that has trouble surviving in winter weather. The PCDOH and the NYSDOH plan to monitor mosquitos in the Hudson Valley when the warmer weather returns. Only one lone mosquito of this species has been detected in Putnam County since 1999 when surveillance began. Surveillance will continue, as well as enhanced testing of other species for Zika virus.
Further information on Zika virus is available at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases
The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the PCDOH website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health or visit the social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth, www.facebook.com/RunWalkPutnam, www.instagram.com/PutnamHealthNY and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.
# # #
For more information:
Frequently Asked Questions about Zika Virus
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/zika_virus/
Travel Notices for Affected Areas
United for the Troops – Operation Cupid
United for the Troops has a red box in the County Office Building.
Operation Cupid with United For The Troops. It starts now and we pack on January 23. All small Valentine favorites, Plenty of Valentine Cards from all ages and any items from our Wish list.
Wish list: “UNITED FOR THE TROOPS
“ We support our troops serving overseas by
sending them care packages of …items they say they
- SUGGESTED LIST OF ITEMS
SNACKS (preferably single serve) TOILETRIES
Pretzels (canned) Baby Wipes
Pringles Chapstick & lipbalm
Trail mix Eye Drops
Chex mix (canned) Shampoo & Conditioner
Cookies (oreo,chocolate chip, * Insect Repellant (wipes are good)*
oatmeal raisin etc.) Disposable Razors & shaving cream
Crackers (ritz, triscuit, saltines) Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Granola Bars Dental Floss
Power Bars Mouthwash
Cereal Bars Eyeglass lense cleaning wipes
Fruit Roll Ups Body wash (liquid) NO BAR SOAP
Nuts (peanuts, pistachios,cashews) Kleenex (individual Size)
Sunflower seeds Skin moisturizers
Slim Jims Deodorant
*Beef Jerky * Q-Tips
Hot Chocolate Packets Nail clippers & nail files
Tea Bags Feminine Hygiene Products
Pop Tarts * Athletes Foot Spray or powder*
Easy mac Laundry Detergent (individual size)
Salsa (plastic jars or canned)
* Icy-Hot Gel Packs*
Tuna Fish in a pouch SUNDRIES
Chicken in a pouch Batteries ( AAA-AA-D-C-9 volt)
Peanut Butter (plastic jar) Tan Undershirts
Jelly/Jam (plastic jar) Boxers (funny ones)
Single Serve Drink Mixes ( kool-aid, crystal light, etc) Crew socks (black or white)
Yoo-hoo /Chocolate milk (non refrigerated) Word Games
Instant Oatmeal CD’s and or DVD’s
Cereals (individual serve) Sports, Fashion, Computer Magazines
Chili, Stew, Pastas (individual serve) Comics
Candy (M&M’s, sweet tarts, etc.) Ibruprofen, Tylenol etc..
Gum & lifesavers Calling Cards
Single serve condiments ( ketchup, mayo,mustard, Pipe Cleaners
salt & pepper, hot sauce etc..) ZIP-LOC BAGGIES _ ALL SIZES
Foster Grandparents: Volunteer & Get Involved!
The Foster Grandparent Program of Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. is expanding its outreach efforts and is interested in attracting additional volunteers. This program provides valuable assistance to children with special and exceptional needs in an academic setting. The Foster Grandparent volunteers serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people throughout the six counties of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange. This program is funded primarily by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Office for Aging and Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.
The Foster Grandparent volunteers are low-income senior citizens who must be a minimum of 55 years of age. They volunteer from 15 to 35 hours weekly and receive a tax-free hourly stipend as well as 48 days of paid time off including sick days . Additionally they are provided mileage reimbursement. Volunteer liability insurance, and an annual Recognition Luncheon honoring their service to the community.
Currently the Foster Grandparent program has over 200 seniors serving hundreds of children in numerous Head Start centers, elementary schools, and day care centers throughout many different cities and towns.
Nationally there are nearly 30,000 Foster Grandparents serving in 341 local projects. These participants provide service to more than 284,000 children with special and exceptional needs. The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
President Obama believes that we, as Americans, have a responsibility to help our communities and fellow citizens. In summoning a new spirit of service, he is calling on us to make an enduring commitment to our neighborhoods.
Sign up today and share your love, time and experience. You have the power to help a child who needs you!!! If you are interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent volunteer or just need more information, please call 914-592-5600 ext. 114 or email rbahr@westcop.org.
Take a look at the Town of Kent’s “Arts on the Lake” first video segment
Good Day Hudson Valley host Lisa Kaslyn takes viewers on the road to highlight the arts in Putnam County. In her first segment, she introduces her audience to Arts on the Lake, a small but thriving organization that fosters performances, exhibits and art classes in a former fire house located on Route 52 along the shores of beautiful Lake Carmel in Kent, NY. For more information on Arts on the Lake, visit their website at www.artsonthelake.org.