County Conversations

Help Wanted: Workforce Development with NYATEP

In recognition of National Workforce Development Month, this episode focuses on the state of New York State’s workforce and highlights training programs and workforce initiatives for county and municipal employers. Joining NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is Melinda Mack, Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP).

For more information on NYATEP and the 2022 Partners for Workforce and Economic Development Conference, we encourage you to visit nyatep.org

The Great GASB 87

This episode features a conversation on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 87. GASB 87 was adopted to improve the relevance and consistency of financial reporting of government leasing activities.

NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is joined for the conversation by Tim Doyle, a partner in The Bonadio Group’s Government, Compliance, and Labor Division. The Bonadio Group has a publication that goes into further detail on GASB 87, which you can find at www.bonadio.com.

New Battlefronts in the Opioid Epidemic

This episode features a conversation on efforts underway in Erie County to address the opioid epidemic, and the status of the statewide opioid settlement fund advisory board.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Cheryll Moore, Medical Care Administrator, and director of the Erie County Department of Health Opioid Program.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, Aetna.

Anti-Poverty Plan Helps Rural Communities ‘Thrive’

This episode focuses on Thrive Livingston, the County’s Rural Anti-Poverty Plan, a strategy tool to focus resources on combatting social, cultural, economic, and environmental challenges facing residents of its rural community. Livingston County created Thrive Livingston in 2017, and was recently  recognized by the International City/County Management Association as the recipient of the organization’s Community Equity & Inclusion Award.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce for the conversation is Livingston’s Deputy County Administrator Angela Ellis.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, FirstNet.

A Primer on Cybersecurity for Local Officials

This episode features a conversation on county cybersecurity and how be prepared for a cyber incident within your organization. NYSAC, in collaboration with the Center for Technology in Government at the SUNY Albany, published a Cybersecurity Primer for Local Government Leaders earlier this year. As discussed in this episode, the Primer is geared for all the non-technical leaders within a county that must play a role as part of their county’s protection team.

Joining NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne for the conversation are Meghan Cook, Program Director for the Center for Technology in Government at the State University at Albany, Robert Corpora, Cortland County Administrator, and Glenn Marchi, Commissioner of the Dutchess County Office of Central & Information Services.

The ProAct Solution for Employee Prescription Benefits

Today’s episode features a presentation on solutions for employee prescription benefits. We’ll hear from Erison Rodriguez, Chief Growth Officer at ProAct, a pharmacy benefit management company based out of New York State, in Syracuse. ProAct has partnered with NYSAC for many years, and we are happy to discuss opportunities counties have to save money on their overall health insurance coverage with solutions that tackle the increasing costs of prescription drugs, and ways to contain specialty drug costs.

Bringing Selfcare Directly to Your Inbox

This episode features a conversation on Suffolk County’s wellness e-newsletter, and what self-care can look like and how it can be fostered in the county workplace. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Portia Ingram, Director of Smart Start Suffolk.

In the most recent issue of NYSAC News Magazine, Portia wrote an article on the wellness newsletter, which you can read by visiting nysac.org/magazine.  

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, Aetna.

Caregivers in the Workplace: Supporting Employees Caring for Family Members

This episode features a conversation on how county employers can support working caregivers – people in the workforce who also provide in-home monitoring, management, supervision, or treatment to another person with a special need. Family, friends, and neighbors play a central role in assisting older adults and individuals of all ages with varying abilities to complete tasks and help them maintain their independence.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist for the conversation is Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York.

On Wednesday, August 10th, NYSCRC is holding a conference on focused on Supporting Working Caregivers to provide valuable information to help you better coach and assist clients as they work and provide care in the home. More information on this event is available on NYSCRC's website. 

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, NYSID.

Farm to County: Tilly Foster Farm and Educational Institute

This episode features a conversation on Tilly Foster Farm, a county-owned facility where visitors can enjoy animals, picnicking, gardening, hiking, fishing and cross-country skiing opportunities. The garden produces  enough to serve Tilly’s Table - the restaurant located on the farm, as well as senior citizens who lunch at one of the county’s Friendship Centers, and a farm stand that is open to the public.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Putnam County Executive, and former NYSAC President, MaryEllen Odell.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, FirstNet.

Retaining Graduates and Investing in the County Workforce

This episode features a conversation on a new county initiative that aims to keep local college graduates in the area after graduation. The program is called Rochester Emerging Talent and Innovation Network or RETAIN. The RETAIN program offers recent graduates a $2,000 lump sum payment after having lived, worked, and networked in Monroe County for at least one year.

Joining NYSAC Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz to discuss the RETAIN program and other workforce development initiatives is Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.  

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, The Bonadio Group