Public Health

As our counties approach the close of 2021 and plan for 2022, here are some of the issues that are at the top of our lists. 

NYSAC, in partnership with the Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (CLMHD), has developed a series of statutory reforms to improve restoration services and reduce the county cost of restoring defendants to competency. 

This webinar explains how pooled testing can be used as a screening testing strategy in schools and share how counties could take advantage of the ELC Reopening Schools awards available through New York State. 

As owners, users, and regulators of water resources and protectors of public health, counties will play a critical role in addressing concerns with PFAS exposure in their communities. This webinar brings county leaders up to speed on what New York State is doing to regulate these “forever chemicals” and what resources and technologies are available to remove them from our environment and drinking water.

Moving cannabis out of the unregulated black market will have public health, public safety, criminal justice, and economic implications for which counties will want to prepare. This webinar provides county leaders with an overview of adult-use cannabis in New York State and begin to discuss how it will impact local governments. 

In this webinar, we hear from national experts about strategies and messaging that county leaders and local health officials can use to reassure the public of the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated. 

On March 31, 2021, the Governor signed into law the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act, A.1248A (Peoples-Stokes)/S.854A(Krueger), which legalizes adult-use cannabis with the stated goal of generating significant new revenue.

The Food Connect Map, created by the Food Pantries for the Capital District, is an online interactive tool found on The Food Pantries' website, it is a comprehensive listing of food pantries and community meal sites across New York State.

Leaders across New York have been supporting their communities through a number of measures intended to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and rebuild their local economies.

Health services are increasingly at risk if New York State continues to withhold critical funding to local governments.