I'd like to thank the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for funding that has allowed us to work with Mary Beth Debus of Program Savvy Consulting, and Shari Rife of Ideas Realized to complete a community study on our Caregiver Navigation program. 

 

Thus far, our consultants have interviewed key members from Homecare and Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, Cattaraugus County Health Department, Allegany County Office for the Aging, Cattaraugus County Department of Aging, and Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services to gain insight on their feelings on what supports are needed in our community for caregivers. Additionally, a community survey and focus groups have been completed. I'd like to thank each of the organizations for their time as well as the many people who completed the survey and participated in the focus groups. 

 

Next week, we will meet with the consultants to complete several strategic planning sessions. I am excited that this community study period was able to occur thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and I am looking forward to the results we receive and ​the guidance this will provide for our program in the future. 

I'd also like to thank the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation for their recent support of our Cribs for Kids program through their Community Fund. This grant will be very helpful in assisting us to ensure infants do not succumb to unsafe sleep related death. Thanks to their funding, we will be able to provide 21 cribs and sheet sets to infants in need in Cattaraugus County. Thanks again to CRCF for their support!