County Conversations

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.

Legislative Session Wrap-Up

This episode features a conversation on the conclusion of the 2022 State Legislative Session. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dave Lucas discuss the main takeaways for county leaders, and what’s in store for legislative advocacy going forward.

Our thanks to NYSAC's sponsor NYSTEC.

Medicare Advantage Plan that Improves Benefits and Saves Money

This episode features a conversation on the Broome County Purchasing Alliance, a shared service model that brings high quality Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (MAPD) retiree health benefits to participating entities. In 2021, the Alliance generated $9.1 million dollars in premium savings to qualifying participating public entities with several counties achieving a projected 3-year savings of over $3 million.

NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is joined by Douglas Bulman, President of Statewide Purchasing Alliance of NY, as well as Jo Ann Wetzel, Vice President of Client Development and Retiree Solutions at UnitedHealth Group.

Tickbusters: Tools and Strategies for Preventing Tickborne Illness with Schenectady County

This episode features a conversation on Schenectady County’s Public Health Services newly launched Tickborne Illness Prevention Dashboard. The online dashboard includes information on how to prevent tick bites and tickborne diseases, as well as the prevalence of ticks and risk of illness by season.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is Claire Proffitt, Deputy Director of Schenectady County's Public Health Department.

Thriving Amid Economic Uncertainty with three + one

This episode features a conversation on financial sector predictions for county leaders for the remainder of the year, and how liquidity asset management can help maximize county revenues.

Joining NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario is Joseph Rulison, CEO and Co-Founder of three+one. Three+one is also a featured sponsor of NYSAC’s upcoming County Finance School in Syracuse, NY.