SVHC Newsletter- March 2025
March 2025
The mission of SVHC is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.
Program Spotlight:
Supports for Health Transportation Assistance
Throughout 2024 and into the first quarter of 2025, SVHC has continued serving clients through its subsidized transportation program, a continuation of the Supports for Health program. Through the program, income-qualifying clients receive 8 instances of transportation support throughout the year. SVHC identifies the most cost-effective solution for the client, which could include bus tokens, gas cards or taxi rides.
This program helps people access their health-related needs, such as getting to a grocery store or attending health improvement classes, picking up prescriptions or medical supplies, and applying for or renewing important benefits. The program currently has 46 enrolled clients, with 23 active users. SVHC works closely with our transportation providers to ensure reliable service. For cab services, we work with CAPCO or Collegetown Cab. SVHC also collaborates with Access to Independence for wheelchair-accessible transportation services.
This program will continue to be offered through March 31, 2025, but due to limited funding, we cannot guarantee the program will continue after that.
You're Invited!
The 2025 Cortland Counts Community Forum is coming up!
This year, we’ll focus on the New York State Prevention Agenda 2025-2030 priority areas, which are organized into five domains:
Economic Stability
Social and Community Context
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Health Care Access and Quality
Education Access and Quality
See you there!
There is still time to benefit from VITA this tax season!
Kiss the Calf: A Mooooving Success!
Thanks to Fourts Farm, donors, and our "calf kissers", the 2025 Kiss the Calf event on February 14th was a huge success! In total we raised $5,800 for the Seven Valleys Food Rescue program. This program picks-up excess healthy food from local food donors across Cortland County and delivers it to local organizations and community programs that feed food insecure community members. Food insecurity in Cortland County is often a hidden issue, but 1 in 8 families report feeling stressed about food. We are so grateful for every one of you who supported the campaign and helped bring healthy foods to the hands of those who need it most.
Photo credits: Camp Creations Photography, https://campcreations.mypixieset.com/
Welcome Back, Catherine Wilde!
Catherine Wilde is returning to SVHC as a Social Care Navigator, where she will be helping Medicaid clients get connected to transportation assistance, nutritious meals, housing referrals and more, as part of the Medicaid 1115 waiver. Under this program, SVHC is one of the contracted agencies in the Central New York region to work with Healthy Alliance as part of a larger Social Care Network. Agencies within this network have staff who perform Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) screenings and navigate clients to the programs that best fit their needs. This program is designed to help people get connected to an assortment of social needs beyond clinical services, that help support ones’ overall health outcomes. Stay tuned for more information on this program as SVHC fully rolls it out in coming weeks.
Support SVHC at the 2025 CNY Maple Festival
We are honored to be chosen as a participating agency in the 53rd Annual CNY Maple Festival! If you love maple syrup, pancakes, or SVHC, consider supporting our beloved pancake eating contestant, Sam Carlton.
How it works:
SVHC will collect donation pledges for the Pancake Eating Contest. Pledges are based on how many pancakes Sam eats during the contest.
In addition to individual pledges, Maple Fest will donate $2 for each pancake Sam eats.
The contest will occur on Saturday, April 5th at 9am at the Marathon High School Auditorium in Marathon, NY.
After the contest, those who pledged will make a donation based on their pledged amount. For example, if you pledge $5 per pancake and Sam eats 10 pancakes, your donation total would be $50.
Join in on the fun and cheer on our contestant at the Maple Festival! Even if you can't make it, you can still support SVHC by making a pledge. Click the button below!
Make a Pledge to Sponsor Sam at the Pancake Eating Contest
SVHC Story Slam in Pictures
Photo credits: Camp Creations Photography, https://campcreations.mypixieset.com/
Updates from the Postpartum Doula Program
Last week Doula Partnership program manager, Kate Downes, attended the American Heart Association’s Postpartum Systems of Care in-person meeting in New Orleans. More than 40 participants came together as a cohort of healthcare providers, doulas, and community health organizations, to discuss the AHA’s newly developed Postpartum Systems of Care Recommendations. These recommendations focus on person-centered care for recently pregnant people, aiming to improve heart health, expand professional education and training, and increase education and networking opportunities for perinatal healthcare providers and community-based program coordinators.
Learn more about AHA's perinatal health work
Upcoming Events
Cortland Counts Community Forum: March 21st, 9am-3pm, SUNY Cortland
CNY Maple Festival Pancake Eating Contest: April 5th, 9am, Marathon High School
Check Out Our New Events Page!
Connect with Us
Our mission is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.
Seven Valleys Health Coalition
10 Kennedy Parkway
Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 756-4198
Fax: (607) 344-0048
Support Our Work
Help us create a community in which all individuals are empowered to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Donate today!