Sullivan County Public Health Services is participating in a regional health care planning and development project in partnership with neighboring Hudson Valley counties through the Hudson Valley Region Health Officials’ Network (HVRHON). The HVRHON is represented by seven county departments of health, including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties.

The project is funded through a New York State Department of Health program– the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY) Phase 9. The goal is to better deliver health care services and align care resources in local communities through detailed assessments and planning efforts.

Based on existing work done by the seven county health departments, the assessments focus on three broad areas:  Access of Quality Health Care, Maternal, Child and Family Health, and Chronic Disease.

Extensive public input was obtained by each county health department over the course of 15 months, from Fall of 2009 through 2010 by administering extensive consumer and provider surveys, convening focus groups in each county and holding a regional stakeholder summit in Newburgh in June 2010 to identify strategies for improving health outcomes.

A final report will be produced and shared with the public later this year.  The report will include health priorities, recommendations, and strategies to address the most significant health concerns in Sullivan County as well as for the 7 counties in the Hudson Valley Region.  If you have questions about this project  please contact Nancy McGraw, Deputy Public Health Director at (845) 292-5910.