New partnership aims to expand health and wellness efforts in Sullivan County schools

LIBERTY, NY — Local school districts and community-based resources came together on January 22 to form a School Health and Wellness Council to collaborate on methods to increase health and wellness activities throughout Sullivan County schools.

At the meeting, the community partners shared their wellness initiatives, informing school districts of resources available for them to use; the school districts also shared wellness initiatives they’ve already implemented. The sharing of information, resources and ideas allowed everyone to build upon their respective efforts.

According to Sullivan 180 Executive Director Sandi Rowland, the council was brought together through a partnership between Sullivan 180 and Sullivan BOCES. “We are so excited to work with the schools to launch this initiative and build a culture of health within the community,” said Rowland.

Joyce Hoag, Livingston Manor School teacher and wellness committee chair, stated, “Our district is just starting to implement wellness initiatives, and this meeting gave me great hope to see what other schools are doing. With the help of the community partners, I can see great things happening at Livingston Manor.”

“Children are our future, and if we want to make Sullivan County a healthier community, we need to focus on our children,” concluded Rowland.

Interactive Medicare presentation

PORT JERVIS, NY — The enrollment period for Medicare is open until Tuesday, March 31. To clear up any confusion, the Hub is welcoming back Nancy Wolff to hold another Medicare Monday information session on Monday, February 10 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Wolff will lead an interactive discussion about Medicare and its enrollment types, preventive benefits available, screening services available and the annual wellness visit to your physician.

There is no charge for this program, but seating is limited, so register today to reserve your place. Call 845/856-7313 ext. 5, send an email to thehub@portjervislibrary.org, or register in person.

Ready to quit smoking?

HONESDALE, PA — With funding from the American Lung Association, the PA Area Health Education Center and Wayne Memorial’s Community Relations Department will host a free group clinic for those trying to quit tobacco use beginning on Wednesday, February 12 and running weekly through Wednesday, March 25.

The clinic will examine medications that can increase your success and lifestyle changes to make quitting easier. It will help prepare you for your quit day by offering coping strategies for managing stress, avoiding weight gain and remaining smoke-free for good.

The program will be held every Wednesday and one Monday, March 9, at 3:45 p.m. at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

To reserve your space for this free program, call 610/379-2001 or email
gginapio@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.lung.org.