Sullivan 180 names new director

FERNDALE, NY — Last Monday, Sullivan 180 announced Amanda Langseder as the nonprofit’s director.

“Langseder brings extensive experience in public health and a wealth of knowledge from almost two decades of work across Sullivan County, including leadership roles at Garnet Health and Sullivan County Public Health,” Sullivan 180 said in a release.

At Garnet, Langseder started worksite wellness movements that have been replicated across the Hudson Valley and launched “Warrior Kids”—a four-week childhood obesity prevention initiative. At Sullivan County Public Health, Langseder directed the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program.

“I am honored to join the gifted staff of Sullivan 180, whose many successes over just a few years are a strong testament to the promise and potential of their mission,” Langseder said. “Sullivan 180 is uniquely positioned to improve the physical, mental, spiritual and environmental well-being of Sullivan County, and I am excited to lead these efforts in the spirit of inclusion and collaboration.”

Pennsylvania, New York, others launch COVID apps

HARRISBURG, PA — With the launch of the similar COVID-19 exposure notification apps in New Jersey, New York and Delaware, Pennsylvanians who downloaded COVID Alert PA will now be able to get notifications to their smartphones if they are exposed to COVID-19 when they travel to these states.

COVID Alert PA is a free, voluntary mobile app, featuring a COVID-19 symptom checker, alerts of potential exposures to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 and public health guidance for what to do if you encountered potential exposure to COVID-19. It will never collect, transmit or store personal information. It is completely anonymous, the governor’s office said.

Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance receives more than $300K

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced a federal award of $327,497 to the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. The federal funding is distributed through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities program, in partnership nationally with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority.

“We are sincerely appreciative that USDOL acknowledges workforce development initiatives be tailored to meet the needs of varied populations,” said Lucyann Vierling, executive director of the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. “It is our intent to provide the supports necessary to ensure successful transition through this recovery to work approach.” 

Cuomo extends eviction moratorium

ALBANY, NY — Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order extending the Tenant Safe Harbor Act to temporarily place a hold on residential evictions through the end of the year. This legislation was signed into law on June 30 of this year to protect those financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic from losing their home.

“This extension comes as a great relief to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who have lost jobs and opportunities to the coronavirus. Public health experts agree that stable housing is vital to maintaining a low level of cases in the state,” Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill (NYS-103) said about the moratorium. “So long as COVID-19 is a present danger to New York, no one should be thrown out on the street.”

Eviction proceedings that began prior to the declaration of emergency in March are also on hold.  Additionally, landlords and property management companies cannot charge late fees for delinquent payments.

NEPA rural health centers receive federal funds

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA — Three health centers in Northeast PA have received funding through Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Center Program grants. Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre is receiving $52,100, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers in Honesdale is receiving $232,000 and Scranton Primary Health Centers is receiving $221,362.

“This funding will support our Patient Centered Medical Home Certification (PCMH) accreditation from The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as well as the continuation of [our] Integrated Behavioral Health Program. Through this funding, [we] can hire a peer support specialist for its substance abuse disease program and purchase valuable medications for uninsured patients needing medication-assisted treatment for opioid and other substance abuse disorders,” said Frederick Jackson, Wayne Memorial Community Health Center Executive Director.

Cuomo calls for COVID-19 enforcement, testing

ALBANY, NY — Amid high infection rates of COVID-19 in hotspots throughout parts of New York City, Rockland County and Orange County, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called on better enforcement from local governments.

“Local governments have not done an effective job of enforcement in these hot spot ZIP codes. The state will be doing aggressive enforcement starting [this week]. As we saw with bars and restaurants, when the state initiated enforcement actions compliance greatly increased... We will close all business activity in the hot spots where the local governments cannot do compliance.”

The governor also commented on testing in schools:

“I’m concerned about the lack of testing in the schools. If the localities do not do testing immediately in the [hotspot] schools, the state will close them immediately.”