County Conversations

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

Talking Trash: Carpet Stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility

This episode features a conversation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and legislation establishing a carpet stewardship program. We discuss the benefits of product stewardship for the environment, local governments, and taxpayers, and what the timeline for the carpet EPR program will look like.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Resa Dimino, Managing Principal at Resource Recycling Systems, and Managing Partner at Signalfire Group.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, Intellipure.

What You Need to Know About the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act

This episode features a conversation on the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act and how it could provide long-term and dedicated funding for New York to prepare for the impacts of climate change and invest in restoring wildlife habitats.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Jessica Ottney Mahar, Director of Policy & Strategy at The Nature Conservancy.

Our thanks go to NYSAC’s sponsor,  the New York Power Authority.

Mental Health Check-Up: How Counties are Meeting Residents’ Mental Health Needs in 2022

This episode features a conversation on mental health and the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining Ryan Gregoire, NYSAC Legislative Director, is Kathy Coons, Commissioner of Mental Health in Rensselaer County and past president of the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors.

NYSAC thanks our sponsor, ProAct.