HSC Forum
Convened by the Human Services Coalition, the Forum facilitates community dialogues on topics impacting our local area. Topics and speakers that have been especially beneficial to the community have included the annual Tompkins County budget presentation, local funders panel, and discussions on the impacts of state and local funding decisions, including the recently updated Medicaid 1115 Waiver.
The HSC Forum is free and open to the public; all who are interested in human services and their efficient delivery are invited to attend.
Upcoming HSC Forums
September 17, 2025 from 10 am – 11:30 am in person at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room
Elizabeth DeYoung, PhD from the University of Pennsylvania will present research outcomes from the Ithaca Guaranteed Income (IGI) project as published by the UPenn Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR). Following the presentation will be a panel discussion with Ithaca Mayor Cantelmo, Anisa Mendizabal from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA), and Jessie Garmhausen, a participant in the IGI project.
Event is free and open to the public, registration is requested.
October 1, 2025 from 3 pm – 5:00 pm in person at the TC3, Sprole Conference Center
“The Age Friendly: Go Local Road Show!”
This HSC Forum is co-sponsored by the Health Foundation of Western & Central New York, Tompkins County Office for the Aging, Tompkins County Health Planning Council and Seven Valleys Health Coalition
This Forum is designed for nonprofit professionals from Tompkins, Cortland and surrounding counties who are interested in securing funding for community-based projects. Age-Friendly: Go Local is a program for grassroots and community-based organizations who are working to build age-friendly neighborhoods that promote health equity.
You will:
- Learn information about the Age-Friendly: Go Local program to see if your organization would like to apply
- Understand the cohort-based approach and learning collaborative
- Hear from grantee-partners as well as staff from the Center for Healthy Aging at the New York Academy of Medicine
- Receive information about the upcoming application process for Cohort 3
Age-friendly is a framework that promotes the health and well-being of residents throughout their life course, with particular attention to enhancing the inclusion, participation, and well-being of older adults.
Event is free and open to the public, registration is required.
Past Topics
May 22, 2025 – 2026 Tompkins County Budget Process
County Administrator, Korsah Akumfi will be presenting on the 2026 Tompkins County budget process.
January 29, 2025 – Connecting, Creating, and Community Impact
3:30 pm – 5pm, In-person at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room
Join us and other not-for-profit professionals as we exchange ideasand plan for the year ahead. We’ll think about our personal, program and organizational goals for the year and hold time for community updates and space for reflection.
December 6, 2024 – 2025 Rollout & Updates for the Medicaid 1115 Waiver
12:00pm-1:30pm, In-person at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room, West (masks optional)
Also via Zoom
Cosponsored by the Health Planning Council and Homeless & Housing Taskforce. The session will feature a hi2025gh-level overview of the 1115 Waiver and important updates on its upcoming launch.
During the forum, Mark Ropiecki, Executive Director of Care Compass, will provide an overview of the 1115 Waiver and its impact on not-for-profit organizations in Tompkins County. He will also offer updates on the January 1st launch, share additional information on the next wave of organizations rolling out the program, and discuss role of community ambassador. The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County will partner with Care Compass Collaborative in this role to serve as liaison and advocate for Tompkins County organizations.
This forum is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with other stakeholders as we prepare for this important path forward. We look forward to seeing you there!
For the video recording link, please email nzulu@hsctc.org
December 3, 2024 – Understanding and Responding to Domestic Violence for Employers
12:00pm-1:30pm, Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room (in-person only, masks optional)
Presented by Lyn Staack, Education Director, Advocacy Center of Tompkins County &
Michelle Artibee, Director, Workforce Wellbeing, Division of Human Resources at Cornell University
Domestic violence is often thought of as a private relationship issue. However, it has far reaching impacts outside of the relationship and specifically in our workplace/on our campus. This training will give managers an understanding of:
- What constitutes domestic violence and the prevalence of it
- The signs an employee may be experiencing abuse
- Resources that are available to help
- Ways to effectively respond that addresses the safety and wellbeing of the victim as well as the entire workplace
- Labor law protections for victims and reasonable accommodations
November 13, 2024 – What’s New in Tompkins County Transportation?
A panel presentation from local transportation partners, providing updates and sharing new initiatives that aim to improve access and mobility for our community.
Panelists include:
- Patty Poist, Communications & Marketing Manager – TCAT
- Kristen Wells, Executive Director – Gadabout
- Laura Vineyard, Executive Director – The Center for Community Transportation (Ithaca Carshare, Ithaca Bikeshare, and Bike Walk Tompkins)
- Liz Field, Director – Ithaca Carshare (The Center for Community Transportation)
- Victoria Pagliaro-Katz, Transportation Specialist – 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland
- Meloney McMurry, Team Leader – Way2Go (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
- RJ Isley, Transportation Educator – Way2Go (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
- Jane Bowman Brady – Executive Director – GO ITHACA
There will be time for attendees to submit and ask questions after the presentation.
View the Zoom recording on YouTube
Contact
For questions email ssavage@hsctc.org