January 2024 Common Ground Newsletter

January 2024 Newsletter

Redesigned 1115 Medicaid waiver is approved

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) approved major changes to New York’s $7.5 billion 1115 Medicaid waiver.

The redesigned waiver aims to help the state improve health equity; reduce health disparities; support the delivery of health related social needs services such as nutrition, housing and transportation for high-risk populations; and promote workforce development. The waiver also gives the state Substance Use Disorder demonstration authority. The waiver period will begin April 1, 2024, and will cover three years.

A Jan. 25 webinar from the Finger Lakes Waiver Planning team offering an overview of the waiver and what it could mean for the Finger Lakes region is available here.

Continue reading »

Healthi Kids brings international play event to City of Rochester

On Wednesday, February 7, nearly 60 education and childcare sites across the City of Rochester will participate in Global School Play Day together for the first time, thanks to the efforts of the Healthi Kids team.

A celebration of the power of unstructured play, Global School Play Day is observed in over 75 countries. Healthi Kids has brought together schools, libraries, R-Centers, childcare providers and out-of-school time programs to participate in all four quadrants of the City.

Learn more and find the site nearest you »

Common Ground Health awarded Mother Cabrini grant for infant and early childhood mental health

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded Common Ground Health a grant of $150,000 to improve infant and early childhood mental and relational health in the Finger Lakes region. 

"Nurturing and responsive early relationships, especially with primary caregivers, are essential for an infant/toddler's healthy brain development," said Stephanie David, JD, MPH, IMH-E^®, Early Childhood Policy Director at Common Ground Health, "Babies' brains are wired for relationships, and, with this grant, we will be able to positively impact the relational health of infants and young children across our region."

Learn more »

Common Ground Health seeks Early Childhood Project Coordinator

Common Ground Health is presently seeking qualified candidates for an Early Childhood Project Coordinator to join our Healthi Kids team.

Applicants should submit their cover letter and résumé to employment@commongroundhealth.org.

Learn more »

In the headlines

BK Reader Mother Cabrini awards $172M in grants to advance health equity (January 28)

PR Newswire Mother Cabrini Health Foundation awards $172 million in grants to advance health equity across New York State (January 17)

Rochester Business Journal A year of promise for Rochester (January 2)

Nation World News New Indigenous health coalition aims to eliminate health disparities in NY (December 28, 2023)

Rochester Business Journal Newly formed Indigenous Health Coalition aims to address health inequities (December 27, 2023)

Finger Lakes Daily News New Indigenous Health Coalition Aims to Address Inequities (December 18, 2023)

Rochester Beacon SJNC to celebrate 30 years with community health fair (December 6, 2023)

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