Our biggest day of the year is back…though we are PRIDE 365!
Sunday, June 12th, 2022 | 12pm – 5pm
Our biggest day of the year is back…though we are PRIDE 365!
Sunday, June 12th, 2022 | 12pm – 5pm
Giving Tuesday is an annual day of online philanthropy, organized to remind people that the holidays are all about giving.
Hudson Valley Community Services saves and improves lives, even while we all cope with ongoing pandemics.
We are only able to be there for our vulnerable clients because of your help. You make this Hudson Valley a kinder, more compassionate place.
Our Spring Valley office is closed until January 18, 2021. All HVCS offices will be closed on Monday, January 18th for observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so the Spring Valley office will open again on Tuesday, January 19th.
The HEAP program is extended until June 30, 2020 and there is a 3rd Emergency HEAP benefit available to those who qualify.
“We especially want to reach people who are newly out of work and may not be aware of the HEAP program at all. The Regular HEAP income eligibility is based on gross income received by a household in the past 30 days. Remember that you do not have to be facing shutoff to receive a Regular HEAP benefit. Even with unemployment you could still be eligible for the Regular HEAP benefit. And anyone receiving Regular HEAP will get Low Income HEAP credits from Orange & Rockland for the next 12 months. This will continue to help you even when you are back to work and trying to catch up with other bills.
Clients can apply for Regular HEAP online at www.MyBenefits.ny.gov. Clients can fax information to us at 845-364-3130 or email RocklandHEAP@dfa.state.ny.us. They can leave a voicemail message at 845-364-3480 if you have any questions.
Many are not aware of the HEAP program because they have not faced a situation like this before. Please help us reach out in whatever way you can.
Any client looking to apply for an Emergency HEAP benefit can fax or email their termination notice to us. They must include a daytime phone number (that will accept calls from a restricted line) and their case number. Our department is mostly working from home but we have access to our computers and are processing cases. Our voicemail boxes are checked several times a day and we are calling everyone back as soon as possible. Please note: whenever leaving a phone number be sure the number will accept calls from a restricted line. We are working from home so the return call may show up as a restricted number.”
–Rockland County HEAP, Department of Social Services
This year, we celebrate our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, and Queer Latinx communities in downtown Haverstraw, NY with live music, dancing, food, vendors, children’s activities including Drag Queen Story Hour, and more! [Este año celebramos nuestras comunidades de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transexuales, no binarios y queer Latinx en el centro de Haverstraw, Nueva York, con música en vivo, bailes, comida, vendedores, actividades para niños, como Drag Queen Story Hour, ¡y mucho más!]
Hudson Valley Community Services has been awarded a grant for $22,000 from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in partnership with Macy’s. The grant will be used for HVCS’ Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) program, which is a unique vehicle to provide HIV-positive residents of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland with emotional and psychological support, support groups, and ensure they remain connected to care and community. Specifically, ETAF’s grant will fund art therapy and interactive journaling for the women’s support group. PSS began on March 1, 2019.
HVCS is honored to be recognized for our innovative approach in support of people affected by HIV and AIDS. “Hudson Valley Community Services is a powerful part of a collective effort to achieve an AIDS-free world, a world Elizabeth Taylor is still helping to realize through ETAF” said Catherine Brown, Executive Director of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. “ETAF and Macy’s are honored to support HVCS with these funds to continue our aligned goals of health equity and zero discrimination for all people living with or at risk for HIV and AIDS.”
Through their Cause Marketing Program, Thanks For Sharing, Macy’s recognizes their responsibility to support disadvantaged communities and the needs of their neighbors. They are proud to partner with ETAF and have contributed to this grant.
The Psychosocial Support Services program’s main funder is the Ryan White CARE Act, Part A, administered by Public Health Solutions.
About The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF)
Founded in 1991, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) joins Elizabeth’s voice in the fight for social justice and human rights for people living with HIV and AIDS to achieve an AIDS-free world. Inspired by Elizabeth’s personal passion for the cause, in 2019 ETAF is focused on youth, women, children and families, ensuring they receive the direct care and support they need both domestically and in Malawi, the hotspot of the global epidemic. ETAF’s advocacy and awareness initiatives concentrate on elevating Elizabeth’s voice to secure care for the marginalized and social equity for all. To learn more or to make a donation please visit www.etaf.org.
Recently, the New York City Department Of Health approached HVCS with a request to take over the Tri-County Ryan White Part A Housing Program (in Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties) based upon our outstanding history of serving HIV-positive homeless and unstably housed individuals. We agreed and are happy to announce the program is officially up and running under the watchful eye of Program Supervisor, Veronica Ingram-Henry, and Housing Specialist, Jessica Noble. The program can assist eligible HIV-positive clients with short-term rental assistance, utilities and telephone service, and moving expenses to secure or maintain stable housing. Eligibility is based upon HIV status, residency, and income. For more information, please contact Program Supervisor, Veronica Ingram-Henry at (845) 247-5735 or vhenry@hudsonvalleycs.org.
The HomeStarter program is also available for Rockland County residents.
HVCS’ Peer Health Alliance will be tabling at the National HIV Testing Day event at tthe Quisqueya Sport Club (25 Broadway, Haverstraw NY 10927) on Friday, June 29, 2018 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Saturday, June 30th, 2018
8:00AM-1:00PM
The NYSDOH AIDS Institute is sponsoring a free buprenorphine waiver training for clinical providers. In response to opioid overdose deaths in New York State, increased access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder is urgently needed. Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and Medical Residents are welcome and highly encouraged to attend.
Under current regulations, authorized practitioners (MDs, DOs, NPs & PAs) are required to obtain a ‘waiver’ to prescribe buprenorphine. To acquire this waiver, physicians are required to complete a standardized buprenorphine waiver 8-hour training. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) are required to complete the standardized buprenorphine waiver 8-hour training as well as an additional 16 hours of online training as established by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Residents may also take the course and apply for their waiver once they receive their DEA license. The buprenorphine waiver 8-hour training is offered in a half-and-half format [4.5 hours of in-person training followed up by 3.5 hours of online training]. Upon completion of the required training, providers will meet the requirement of the DATA 2000 to apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid-dependent patients. Please contact us for further information.
CME CREDITS: The School of Public Health, University at Albany is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The School of Public Health, University at Albany designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Trainer: Melissa Weimer DO, MCR, St. Peter’s Health Partners, Albany, NY
Location: Good Samaritan Hospital, 255 Lafayette Avenue, Auditorium, Suffern, NY 10901 Light refreshments will be provided.
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/KP557fUfeFJ2
Online Registration: https://goo.gl/kU6mVw
Questions: NYSDOH, AIDS Institute, Office of Drug User Health
Stephen Crowe, 212-417-4558, stephen.crowe@health.ny.gov
Belinda Duncan, 212-417-4553, buprenorphine@health.ny.gov
ACCREDITATION: This activity has been planned and implemented by NYSDOH, AIDS Institute in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) and in partnership with Westchester Medical Center, Health Care Network.
Funding for this course was made possible (in part) by 1U79TI026556 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is the sponsoring data organization.
LaShonda Cyrus, HVCS’ Senior Program Manager, was appointed to lead the Spring Valley Collaborative. HVCS’ Rockland County office is located in Spring Valley and LaShonda oversees programs there, in Westchester and in Putnam County.The Spring Valley Collaborative is a group of organizations, agencies, service providers that have agreed to work together to address issues that affect the wellbeing of the Spring Valley community and its residents. LaShonda is also chair of the Steering Committee, which develops action plans to enhance coordination among organizations in the Collaborative. Thanks for all you do for our clients, LaShonda, and all those served by members of the Collaborative!