CENTRAL NEW YORK, [3/03/2021] — The Central New York Health Access Task Forces (HATF), the 2-1-1 service, county library systems, and community partners in New York’s eight central counties are teaming up to offer Wi-Fi access at community sites across CNY. This project, beginning on March 15, 2021, will kick-off with libraries and expand to local organizations to create additional telehealth access sites throughout the region.
“NY StateWide Senior Action Council is proud to collaborate with 2-1-1, the library system, and local partners to pioneer this telehealth access initiative. This project seeks to address the challenges people have accessing healthcare due to lack of broadband connectivity. During the pandemic, and with the increased directives by the health system to use telehealth services, we are witnessing the digital divide that exists in rural areas and how existing community vulnerabilities are magnified,” says Maria Alvarez, StateWide’s Executive Director.
CNY residents needing a telehealth visit with their doctor or therapy provider, will be able to call 2-1-1 or visit StateWide’s website to locate and find out what resources are available at their nearest telehealth access site. “We are pleased to be able to provide this option. Many residents of our area, especially but not only in rural communities, do not have internet access at home. Now they can still find out about these services and resources.” says John Mazzello, Director of 2-1-1 for Tompkins and Cortland County and member of the Tompkins County HATF.
Some telehealth access sites will be able to provide a private room for appointments, while others will ensure their Wi-F- extends to their parking lot and outdoor areas. Library representatives ask that you call ahead to confirm a device is available to use. Some sites will recommend bringing your own device. These sites are not meant for sick visits, and it’s encouraged to always call a location before entering the building. Residents must continue exercising safety-protocols to keep their community safe from COVID-19.
New sites will be frequently updated on StateWide’s website and 2-1-1’s database. If your organization is interested in becoming a telehealth access site contact CNY organizers Stefania Buta (stefania@nysenior.org, 518-719-5757) or Melissa Kinney (melissa@nysenior.org, 315-210-4900).
The Central NY Health Access Task Forces is a program of New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), with funding and support from the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York.
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Statements in support of the telehealth access site initiative:
On partnering with the libraries:
- Allen Tompkins, Director of Fair Haven Library in Cayuga County:Many of the region’s libraries are willing to go above and beyond for their community. If someone called ahead and asked, Tompkins would even open his library up during non-business hours for people to get to their appointments. “I feel so passionate about the tele-health initiative because I’m very familiar with the needs of the area. It just feels so great that our library can step up and help our neighbors.”
- Sara Wall Bollinger, former president of NYS Association for Rural Health and member of the Madison County Health Access Task Force:“Libraries exist in almost every community, staffed by trained and helpful people. We thought libraries would be a great partner to be tele-health access sites in rural communities.”
On safety protocols:
- Susan Beckley, Cortland County Health Access Task Force member and StateWide Board Member:Reminds community members to “always wear a face mask in public” and “if you’re feeling sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should only utilize a location with Wi-Fi access from the parking lot and stay inside your vehicle.”
On partnering with community organizations:
- Aaron Baier, Executive Director of Access to Independence in Cortland County and Health Access Task Force member: Baier’s organization is working on establishing themselves as a telehealth access site. “Access to Independence has absolutely witnessed the detrimental impact that a lack of broadband internet has on rural and low-income individuals with disabilities and their families. We are excited to see how this initiative can lead to better health outcomes for the whole community.”
- Stefania Buta, CNY Health Task Force Organizer:“Our work in Central New York relies on the notion that local residents are the experts of their community and the most sustainable work involves resources and networks already in place. Community members are truly guiding this project.”
On the digital divide:
- Melissa Kinney, CNY Health Task Force Organizer:“During community meetings with task force members, it became abundantly clear that the digital divide was one of the greatest challenges facing communities across Central NY. Although we saw the tele-health industry boom, community members without digital access—whether that be no wifi, no data, or lacking the digital literacy—were left behind.”
- Stefania Buta, CNY Health Task Force Organizer: “The pandemic has changed the way we access our healthcare. Broadband internet connection needs to be more widely recognized as a social determinant of health.”
- Maria Alvarez, StateWide’s Executive Director:“Our work throughout the state has shown how much the pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide,existing community vulnerabilities, and how much people need connection. New Yorker’s deserve equitable and sustainable solutions. We need legislative action to address this public health issue. We need to improve our digital infrastructure to make Wi-Fi accessible and affordable for all.”
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If you are passionate about health access issues and want to be involved in your county’s task force, please contact your area’s coordinator for more information.
Cayuga, Cortland, Oswego, and Tompkins County residents can contact Stefania at Stefania@nysenior.org. Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, & Onondaga County residents can contact Melissa at Melissa@nysenior.org.
