County Conversations

Coordinating Care for Erie County Kids

This episode focuses on Erie County’s recently reintroduced Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program (pronounced “shin”). This free resource and referral program aims to improve care coordination for infants, children, and youth from birth to 21 years old who have a serious or chronic medical, physical, behavioral, emotional, or developmental condition.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Evanna Ramos, Program Coordinator for Erie County’s Office of Health Equity.

End of Session Wrap-up

This episode features a snapshot from our legislative team on the county impact from the 2023 State Legislative Session. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire is joined by NYSAC Counsel Patrick Cummings for the conversation.

County DREAMS Team takes on Digital Records Retention

This episode features a conversation on Cayuga County’s DREAMS Project, a records management solution which stands for Digital Records Electronic Access Management System. This project aims to providing better value of services to the county and its taxpayers, as well as save money by implementing a sustainable, scalable, financially viable, and operationally efficient technological solution.

 

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Sue Dwyer, Cayuga County Clerk, and Michael McNeill, Records Retention Administrator for Cayuga County.

Saving EMS: A County-Centered Solution

This episode features a conversation on a top county legislative priority of ensuring EMS coverage and funding. Joining NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire for the conversation is Meg Kennedy, a member of the Otsego County Board of Representatives and NYSAC’s Board of Directors, as well as PJ Keeler, Columbia County Treasurer and EMS Coordinator.

Creating Healthy Infrastructure in NY Communities

This episode focuses on a grant opportunity for municipalities and schools across New York that’s designed to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces. MVP Health Care has extended its statewide partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to launch an additional $650,000 in grant funding to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces with Fitness Courts, along with consulting, funding, and community programming support.  Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz for the conversation is Trent Matthias, Director of the National Fitness Campaign.

ABCs of Cybersecurity

This episode features a round-table discussion from our recent ABCs of Cybersecurity webinar that provides elected local leaders an understanding of what to prioritize and where to focus limited resources to protect residents and government systems against cyber threats. NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is joined by Justin DePalmo, Vice President, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and Dr. John Sahlin, Director of Cyber Solutions for GDIT Defense Division.

Donate Life: Raising Awareness for Organ Donation & Transplantation

In New York State 8,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ donation, and 1,100 people have been waiting for 5 years or more.  This episode features a conversation on how counties and local municipalities can raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Aisha Tator, Executive Director at Donate Life New York State, as well as Amna Anwar, a fashion and beauty advice expert who is a recipient of a heart transplant.

Centering and Celebrating Public Health

This episode highlights National Public Health Week and the workforce and services local health departments provide to keep New York State communities healthy and safe. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO).

State Budget Briefing for County Leaders

This episode features a briefing for county leaders on the status of the New York state executive budget,  items of concern for local governments, and opportunities for continued advocacy.

NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario leads the briefing, and is accompanied by NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire, and Deputy Director Mark LaVigne.

Cost Shift Countdown

In this episode of County Conversations, we discuss one of the biggest issues facing counties in this year's budget - the governor's proposal to shift $625 million in Medicaid costs onto counties by ending the sharing of federal eFMAP payments.

For more information, be sure to visit CostShiftCountdown.com

Joining NYSAC's Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire.