The Herkimer County Public Health Department, in conjunction with local community healthcare advocates from LivingADK’s Healthcare Committee and the Old Forge Library, are asking for community feedback identifying key health and social needs in the community.

There will be a townhall-style forum at the Old Forge Library on July 19, at 10 am. Residents, community leaders, fire department members, ambulance volunteers, seniors and healthcare professionals, everyone with a stake in health issues in the Town of Webb, are encouraged to attend and provide feedback.

Hamilton County residents who feel they have a stake in regional health issues are also welcome to provide ideas and feedback. Herkimer County Public Health Department is required to create and submit a Community Health Needs Assessment to the NY State Department of Health.

This assessment helps the state determine what is happening locally and how to allocate funds to improve health at the community level. The assessment helps identify key health and social needs in a community, shows what resources are needed, where to provide assistance, and implements a comprehensive data collection process.

The in-person meeting is a regionally-specific effort to collect feedback from Webb to ensure that the state-mandated health assessment reflects all county residents’ needs. Previous assessments have been challenged locally as not reflecting the reality of this area of the county.

“LivingADK and its local and regional partners have recognized for quite some time that an assessment of accessible health and human services actually serving the residents of northern Herkimer County was desperately needed,” said LivingADK Executive Director, Robin Hill.  “While we realize there have been many surveys circulating around the Town of Webb and surrounding communities regarding various issues, the health and social needs of our community should be high on the list of priorities. Access to care within rural communities is undeniably a major challenge. Shortages in resources not only affect us, but many communities like us throughout New York and beyond.”

Library Director, Linda Weal, stressed the need for participants.

“People need to take an active role, if we are going to have our representation and agencies understand our lives here,” Weal said. “We need your input! It was very positive and appreciated to have a county department reach out specifically to Webb’s residents.”

The Herkimer County Public Health survey is another opportunity to share your views and voice your concerns. In Webb, all year-round residents recently received a postcard in the mail from Herkimer County Public Health urging residents to take a survey that will help with the needs assessment.

This 16-question survey collects data anonymously. Scan the QR code for access or follow the link provided; https://bit.ly/3znsa0k .

If there are some in need of a paper copy or assistance in filling out the survey, please reach out to LivingADK at (315) 369-3353 or the Old Forge Library at (315) 369-6008.

Residents are urged to please either take the survey via the QR code on your post card, enter the survey link into your browser or attend the Town Hall meeting.

Photos provided by LivingADK Executive Director, Robin Hill.