NUMC’S DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS AWARDED A THREE YEAR HEALTHY STEPS GRANT FROM NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP                                                                                           Michael B. Mirotznik, Esq.,

President/CEO                                                                                                                              Chairman Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2016

PRESS CONTACT:

Shelley Lotenberg

shelley@numc.edu

516-572-6055

East Meadow, NY……….Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP, NuHealth/NUMC’s President/CEO, announces that the Department of Pediatrics at the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) has been awarded a three year Healthy Steps Grant from the NYS Office of Mental Health for $126,000/year, following submission in response to a Request for Proposal entitled “Implementation of Healthy Steps” issued May 6, 2016.  In a letter received from the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Carol Swiderski, Issuing Officer, stated: “In response to the proposal that your agency submitted, OMH is pleased to inform you that your agency has received an award for DSRIP Region 3. OMH appreciates the time and effort you and your staff spent on submitting a proposal and we look forward to working with you on this critical program for children and families.”

“This is exciting news and a reflection on the pediatrics department and the leadership of Dr. David Fagan, Chairman, following a competitive grant process with NUMC chosen based on its leadership as well our commitment for implementation in our unique and vulnerable population. With the hiring of a bilingual Healthy Steps specialist and integration of the specialist into our practice flow, we believe that we are poised for a successful implementation, all for the benefit of our children and families” stated Dr. Politi.

Healthy Steps is a national, evidence based model of primary care enhancement in which a Healthy Steps Specialist, typically a social worker, psychologist, or RN, is co-located in a primary care practice and supports the medical team through enhanced behavioral and developmental health management, parental coaching, as well as screening for parent/family risk and social emotional/mental health factors. The Healthy Steps Specialist will implement parent support group and home visits, along with broadening community partnerships.

According to Dr. Fagan, “The Healthy Steps model has received national attention as a best practice to achieve the population health outcomes that are most effectively influenced in early childhood.  This grant will position us well in the coming value based care market as the Healthy Steps model is highly aligned with PCMH 3 as well as DSRIP goals.”

ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

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