Situation Report | January 11, 2021
In addition to working with the state regional hubs and local departments of health on vaccine distribution for home health and hospice providers, HCA last week participated in the first meeting of a Homecare Workgroup organized by the Lower Hudson Valley Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition (HEPC).
The group is similar to one that was established by the Western Region HEPC — an entity that HCA has encouraged other HEPCs to form. It discussed its objectives for the year, including: information sharing, networking with local emergency management and health department preparedness officials, setting up an internal communication system, developing ‘mutual sharing’ opportunities, reviewing emergency preparedness requirements that are included in state Department of Health (DOH) surveys, and possibly holding exercises for home care and hospice providers.
HCA encourages members that serve the Lower Hudson Valley to join this Workgroup; inquiries can be sent to Andrew Koski at akoski@hcanys.org.
HCA also recognizes Gyongyi McQueston of DOH’s Office of Health Emergency Preparedness for developing this group.
The Lower Hudson Valley includes: Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan counties.
See here for more information about HEPCs and their efforts to develop and coordinate emergency preparedness activities.
Under a grant from the Office of Health Emergency Preparedness, HCA, the NYS Association of Health Care Providers (HCP) and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of NYS (HPCANYS) are responsible for participating in HEPC meetings on behalf of providers across the state outside of New York City where we advocate for home care’s and hospice’s involvement in emergency preparedness drills and other activities.