SALT Is Really Very Healthy – New Initiative Will Help Sullivan County Residents

We constantly hear how bad SALT is – But, there is finally one type of SALT that is healthy for all Sullivan County.

I am talking about Sullivan Agencies Leading Together (SALT) a new diverse partnership of agencies and community resources committed to working together to improve the quality of life for the residents of Sullivan County.

SALT works through information sharing, increased prevention efforts, interagency collaboration, SALT improves access to services that empower members of our community to make lasting positive change.

SALT is currently comprised of five committees including a steering committee, outreach, communication, navigation and prevention and through these committees, SALT provides a level of infrastructure and connection that helps people get what they need efficiently and compassionately.

The Sullivan County Legislature recently passed a resolution supporting SALT and its mission statement and goals. They will also appoint a legislator to attend and participate in its meetings.

Community activist Isaac Green Diebboll who is a major participant in SALT meetings called “SALT a unique marriage between more than 35 Sullivan County organizations who have committed to working together to cut the red tape of bureaucracy, to act willingly and compassionately to improve people’s lives.”

“We are diligent and we do what we say we’ll do. We’ll follow up with you, help you get the answers you’re looking for, help you get the right connections to resolve your frustrations or needs as quickly as we’re able.”

Diebboll  added, “We do this by working together as a team to cover outreach in all of the legislative districts, to cover professional needs in all of the health service and education fields. We do this by committing to small steps with each person, recognizing that each person we might help, is going to be a person helping someone else down the road, because we have faith in the ability, strength and leadership of everyone, so we foster an environment that allows each of us to grow stronger and nurture one another to the best of our abilities. This is a growing movement and will only continue to grow, especially with the recent support of our legislature who has just passed a resolution in support of our efforts.”

Martin Colavito, Director of Catholic Charities Adolescent Prevention Services in Orange and Sullivan Counties pointed to a SALT referral last week to show how important the new group is.  “A young woman has been squatting in a house in Wurtsboro for a few months.  No electricity, etc.  For the past two months, I have been trying to get this person to come to Liberty to apply for benefits, but she was in a relationship that clouded her choices. Yesterday she reached out for help and was immediately referred to Independent Living via a SALT referral. The person was instructed to contact Independent Living (After i called IL to verify the referral), state she was referred via SALT, and was told that a case worker would reach out to her in three to five days.”

Colavito continued, “A case worker immediately contacted me to verify the referral, and asked for any collateral information without breaching confidentiality.  The case worker then immediately contacted the referral (Rather than wait anytime), and it was collaterally decided that they would meet at the Social Service office in Liberty on 8/9/16 at 10:15.  The case worker committed to navigating the referral through the benefit process, and from there begin the process of establishing a plan that would address outstanding needs.

“From my point of view, as important as the referral is, the person was engaged immediately, proving how important a human touch in regard to our serving folks.  The referent called me after making the arrangements and stated ho encouraged she felt because the immediate contact, stating she felt like she was treated special. Not only did the referent feel encouraged, but the process served good for me because I became very familiar with Independent Livings services, and how the process left me feeling like they are an incredible part of the solution,” Colavito concluded.

I asked several other participants to explain why their participation in the SALT initiative is important to them and here is what they had to say: 

Theresa Hall said, “SALT is providing a top notch forum and voice for community residents to learn about, access, and receive the benefits of the bountiful services that are provided in this county for those who are in need of some form of support. SALT provides a bridge for networking with actual providers, and, this face to face interaction enables us to connect with other individuals in the various social service agencies which in turn allows us to better serve our community residents with appropriate referrals.  The momentum and synergy are palpable and promises to bring true transformation to the lives of the residents of Sullivan County as it continues to unite those in need with a match to those individuals and agencies who can meet their needs.” 

Lacey Benjamin said, “Coalition building has been going on around the Hudson Valley and particularly Sullivan Country for years.  What makes SALT stand out is the tenacity of its members despite some of the challenges faced by working in Sullivan County.  Our membership is an authentic representation of the Communities we serve.”

To Lori Rotolo  SALT is  “a collaboration of community based organizations and health & human service agencies working together to identify gaps in services, improve communication between providers, and maximize resources to address the needs of our diverse communities.”

Berni Zierler, RPAC Refuah Health Center said, “As the lone medical health professional attending the SALT meetings, I can testify to the importance of this alliance. These agencies come together to reveal Sullivan County’s ‘Best Kept Secrets’ and have been invaluable to my practice. Refuah Health Center provides care to the insured and uninsured six days a week. Having a personal connection with a name and a face at an agency in order help patients who have meta-health needs and social difficulties has been a game changer.

Susan Clark, Sullivan County Public Health Educator, told me, “These monthly meetings provide easy networking opportunities for each organization to hear from others and figure out how/if the two services can complement each other.  The face to face networking time after the main part of the meeting is extremely valuable to exchange information and ideas of collaboration.

Dana Taylor said “SALT is an efficient way for our school district to get to know all of the amazing resources that are available to our families in the county. Through SALT we have been able to strengthen old partnerships and foster new ones. SALT is a group of people who bring hope to seemingly hopeless situations. Monticello is honored to be a part of this group.”

Dawn Wilkin, CPS, CASAC-T, Assistant Director of Prevention Services, Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange & Sullivan said “SALT is a group of community agencies/schools and concerned citizens working together to better serve the needs of those living in Sullivan County through collaborative initiatives that reach everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, or sexual identity, etc.  SALT works to reach those traditionally resistant to seeking services through outreach efforts and is tireless in its resolve to make Sullivan County stronger by including everyone in its work. ”  

Sybil Sanchez noted that “each agency and individual involved with SALT is out there working hard, trying to improve life in our county and beyond. It’s great to have a way to connect across missions, to share information, and to have access to such a broad network.”

Veronique Dietrich told me, “I can’t help but quote Cory Booker from his amazing speech last night. It was from an African saying, “If you want to go fast, got alone, if you want to go far, go together.” To me this is what a coalition is. I’ve seen Dawn, Marty and Regina do wonderful things in Newburgh with the support of the community… and now I am excited to see that happen for Sullivan County.”

Simona Ballard summed it up by saying, “SALT provides a listening ear to all issues, with a plethora of providers working together the end result is a successful resolution!”

The growing list of participants in SALT includes:

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, ORANGE AND SULLIVAN COUNTY

SULLIVAN COUNTY BOCES

CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SULLIVAN COUNTY

REHABILITATION SUPPORT SERVICES

SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WIC PROGRAM

SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH RURAL HEALTH NETWORK

INDEPENDENT LIVING

SULLIVAN COUNTY CHILDCARE COUNCIL

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

PLANNED PARENTHOOD MID HUDSON VALLEY

PATHSTONE

CENTER FOR TOBACCO FREE HUDSON VALLEY

SULLIVAN COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

ACTION TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE

MONTICELLO CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOBACCO FREE ACTION COMMUNITIES

HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES

SULLIVAN COUNTY FEDERATION FOR THE HOMELESS

MID HUDSON PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER

MATERNAL INFANT SERVICES NETWORK

ADULT CAREER AND CONTINUING EDUCATION SERVICES-VAOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

MONTICELLO HOUSING AUTHORITY

LATINO ALLIANCE OF SULLIVAN COUNTY

SULLIVAN COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU

SULLIVAN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SULLIVAN COUNTY LEGISLATURE

ENGN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION

SULLIVAN COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

LEGAL SERVICES OF HUDSON VALLEY

Thank you to all the SALT participants for all their efforts in this important undertaking.

Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.