Convened by the Human Services Coalition, the HSC Forum facilitates bimonthly community dialogues on topics impacting our local area. Topics and speakers that have been especially beneficial to the community have included Heating Tompkins (energy assistance programs), Planning and Implementing Successful Outreach to Underserved Populations, The Annual Local Funders Panel, and forums to discuss the impacts of state and local funding decisions.
The HSC Forum is free and open to the public and registration is not needed; all who are interested in human services and their efficient delivery are urged to attend.
Upcoming HSC Forums
March 11, 2020 – Driving Health Equity with Community Services Networks
How can Tompkins County human and social services agencies work together to provide more effective service delivery, maximize agency income, and improve overall community health and well-being?
Social and environmental forces play a major role in people’s health. Community agencies that address social determinants of health (SDOH)– things like access to health services, housing, education, economic stability, food security – have emerged as key players in the new Medicaid service delivery landscape.
That is why the NYS Medicaid program is now requiring health care providers and insurers to partner with human and social services organizations to improve individual and population health.
What does this mean for your organization? Community based agencies that can define their value proposition and deliver on it are well-positioned to thrive in this emerging system. This will require agencies to adapt their practices and, more importantly, align with each other to leverage their value as a network that addresses the whole person.
Questions to be addressed:
• What are “SDOH networks” and why should small human and social services agencies care about them?
• What are some strategies for agencies to get involved (ex: creating an agency network, contracting directly with Medicaid providers, forging formal partnerships or affiliations, etc.)?
• What projects and partnerships have other communities created to integrate traditional health care and social support services?
• How can innovative solutions such as client referral systems and shared data systems improve community health?
There will be ample time for questions and discussion.
Past HSC Forums
November 13, 2019 – Overview of The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019
This presentation is designed for tenants, landlords, and service providers.
In June 2019, New York State passed Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which includes several statewide tenant protection reforms.
Thomas Luckini, Attorney with Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY), will provide a broad overview of the new tenant protections including security deposits, evictions, fair housing law source of income, and manufactured home protections.
September 11, 2019 – The Cornell Public Service Center
The Public Service Center (PSC) at Cornell engages more than 5,000 student volunteers annually in a variety of volunteer roles at more than 100 local not for profit organizations. There are many ways they can help mobilize volunteers for agencies.
At this Forum, members of the PSC will be on hand to discuss how the PSC and local organizations can partner to help support their missions and provide learning experiences for Cornell students.
Highlighted programs will include: K12 and pre-college programming; Community Work Study; Pre-Orientation Service Program (POST); student volunteer organizations; new pilot program to strengthen program coordination to serve more community needs.
May 8, 2019 – The 2019 Tompkins County Budget
Please join us for a panel discussion of the 2019 budget. Panelists will include: Jason Molino, County Administrator; Shawna Black, Tompkins County Legislator and Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee; and Martha Robertson, Chair of the Legislature.
We will be discussing the factors, both state and local, that are the driving forces behind next year’s budget. There will be time to ask questions, get clarification and share your comments.