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Message from the Commissioner
Hello and welcome to the first edition of Tompkins County Whole Health’s quarterly newsletter! We’re excited to use this space to share health information, program updates, and upcoming events—and help you connect with services that support your health and well-being.
During my first year as Commissioner, we’ve continued bringing public health and mental health services together to better serve our community. We’ve reorganized our public health programs into three divisions—Family and Child Health, Community Health, and Environmental Health—and continue to strengthen Mental Health Services: enhancing offerings for individuals and groups in our two clinics and off-site, growing the PROS program, expanding our mobile response efforts for 24/7 coverage, and increasing the reach of our psychiatric nurses in the community. We are also striving to streamline our administrative services through a dedicated Office of Communications and Engagement and investments in our Operational Support Services. These efforts support our mission to build a healthy, equitable Tompkins County by addressing health disparities and connecting mental, physical, and environmental health.
Our commitment to the community starts with being accessible and responsive. To me that means if you call us, we will answer, if you email us, we will reply, and if you visit our offices or meet our staff in the community you will be greeted with kindness and respect. We strive for continuous learning and improvement and welcome feedback when we don’t meet the aims above.
We hope this newsletter helps you stay connected to our services and the people behind them. Thank you for helping us build a healthier, more welcoming Tompkins County.
Warmly, Jennie Sutcliffe, TCWH Commissioner
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Special Topics for Fall 2026
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to awareness and education. TCWH participated in the annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, CNY Chapter, "Out of the Darkness Walk" on Saturday, September 12th at Myers Park in Lansing, NY. Over 400 people were present to share their stories, raise funds, and promote awareness and support.
Ithaca hosted the annual New York State Suicide Prevention Conference (Sept. 29 & 30) at the Downtown Ithaca Conference Center, coordinated by NYS Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of Central NY (SPCNY). TCWH's Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health Services Harmony Ayers-Friendlander presented on a panel, "Implementing the Zero Suicide Model: the Tompkins County Experience", alongside Dr. deLima and Dr. Sidari of Cayuga Medical Center, and Tiffany Bloss, Director of Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services of Tompkins County. Read more about the event on The Sophie Fund's website.
On social media, we focused on promoting 988, the national crisis helpline:
Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, 988's caring counselors are there for you. You are not alone.
988 is a free and confidential call line, with services available in English and Spanish, available any time of the day, any day of the year. Add 988 to your phone contacts so it will be there when it is needed.
 Chalk-the-Walk at the annual Out of Darkness Walk, Myers Park, Lansing
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Bats and Rabies Prevention
Our Environmental Health and Community Health Services staff have been fielding a high volume of calls and visits regarding bats in the home and need for post-exposure rabies vaccinations.
Bats can be a carrier of rabies, a virus which attacks the nervous system and is 99.99% fatal once symptoms appear. In NYS, wild animals are the most common carriers of rabies, including bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks. People, dogs, cats and other mammals can all become infected with rabies, usually from a bite, scratch or other contact with an infected animal's saliva or brain tissue.
Bats have tiny, needle-like teeth, so bites can go undetected, especially if the bat is found in a room with someone who was sleeping, unattended young children, or with someone who is sensory deprived due to disability, medication or intoxication.
When in doubt, don't let it out! Capturing the bat so it can be tested for rabies is essential to rule out the need for post-exposure rabies vaccination. For a video and helpful tips on how to safely capture a bat, go to our website.
If you are absolutely certain that the bat did not come in contact with a person or a pet, it is safe to release the bat. Close all room and closet doors, open the windows and watch the bat until it leaves. If a bat is found and is injured, contact Wild Things Sanctuary, a local wildlife rehabilator who speciallizes in bat care: 607-200-4100.
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Say "Boo" to the flu and COVID too!
It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster every fall, before October 31st if possible.
High-Dose Flu is recommended for adults ages 65 and older.
Vaccines are now readily available at local pharmacies and healthcare provider offices.
Vaccination Conversations with Scientists, a local non-profit dedicated to community outreach and engagement around vaccinations, has an up-to-date website of locations to get your vaccine. Go to their vaxfinder page: https://vaccinationconversations.org/vaxfinder/
Vaccine is available at TCWH's VFA/VFC Clinics on Fridays by appointment only. Learn more about eligibility on our website. Call our office to check eligibility and schedule an appointment: 607-274-6604.
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TCWH Recent Event Highlights
Community Health Resource Fairs with Senator Lea Webb
On Tuesday, September 2nd, TCWH Community Health Workers Kristian Shuhan and Zoë Newmarco joined Senator Lea Webb for a community health resources fair at the Greater Ithaca Actitivies Center (GIAC). Senator Webb's constituent services team holds these community office hours multiple times a year in Tompkins County. Their next event will be a Veterans-focused Community Resource Fair, on Friday, Nov. 13th, 3pm-7pm, at the Shops at Ithaca Mall.
 Senator Lea Webb (middle) with TCWH's Community Health Workers
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2026 Ithaca Airport Day & Preparedness Expo (September 19th)
A joint venture of TCWH, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response (DOER) and the Ithaca Airport, this annual event brought together first responders, emergency services and healthcare providers for an educational, fun event for the community.
As part of the event, we hosted a county sponsored blood drive which collected 32 units of blood! Special thank you's to Annamae Joyce and Kathleen O'Neill, TCWH employees who volunteered to assist the Red Cross at the blood drive AND donated blood as well! Shout-out to Shannon Alvord, TCWH's Communications Coordinator, for planning and organizing the event in collaboration with Geoff Dunn (Community Preparedness Coordinator at DOER).
 Airport Day and Preparedness Expo, at the Ithaca Airport
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PROS Art Show: Friday, October 2nd (201 E. Green St., Ithaca)
PROS hosted its 2nd annual Art Show, as part of the Ithaca Gallery Night's First Friday series. We are so grateful to all who submitted their artwork for display and to everyone who stopped by the event. Many thanks to all who supported this event, and special shout-out to PROS' Aaron Volk (Senior Social Work) for their coordination, advocacy and art-gallery expertise!
The PROS Program (Personal Recovery Oriented Services) is a comprehensive recovery-oriented program for adults with severe mental illness. The main goal of the program is to help people work on all aspects of their life — social, employment, education, housing, finding purpose — when mental health or substance use creates barriers.
 PROS Art Show, October 2, 2026 (201 E. Green St., Ithaca)
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TOMPKINS COUNTY WHOLE HEALTH PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT!
Family & Child Health Division: Childbirth Education Series
Our Community Health Nurses (Moms PLUS+) and Community Health Workers (HiP Tompkins) have teamed up to provide quarterly series of free childbirth education classes, ideal for those in their 3rd trimester, held at our office at 55 Brown Road, Ithaca.
Each series consists of three sessions which cover the following topics:
*Labor and delivery
*Relaxation techniques
*Medication Options
*Creating your birth plan
*Newborn care
*Breastfeeding
Class sizes are limited and held on weekday evenings. We have wrapped up our fall session with next dates to be set soon for the winter!
Call our office for more information or to be put on a call-list for the next session: 607-274-6604.
 Childbirth Education Class Reunion, August 2026
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Mental Health Services - Child/Youth Therapy
Our clinicians provide treatment for youth and families who may be impacted by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma.
- Services are available for anyone 25 years old and younger.
- Schedule an appointment by phone or come in during our walk-in hours.
Therapy takes place at our office at 201 E. Green St. (downtown Ithaca) or 55 Brown Road (northeast Ithaca). Partnerships with schools allow care to be provided on-site at many local schools. Currently services are offered at the follow locations:
- Groton Schools
- Dryden Elementary, Middle & High School
- Trumansburg Schools
- Newfield Schools
- Boynton Middle School
- DeWitt Middle School
- Ithaca High School
- Caroline Elementary School
- Enfield Elementary School
Clinicians also run short-term skills-focused group therapy options for youth and teens, with focused topics such as "Mindfulness/Self-Care", "Knowing Yourself" (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and "DBT Skills" (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Groups help youth develop skills to support them with managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and reducing harmful behaviors.
 TCWH Mental Health Services waiting room area, 201 E. Green St., Ithaca
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Community Health Improvement Plan
The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) identifies priority health needs for our county, based on a comprehensive review of quantitative and qualitative data gathered through the Community Health Assessment (CHA). Community partners play a significant role in reviewing this CHA, identifying priorities for the CHIP, and participating in interventions to address the identified needs. This section of our newsletter will highlight work being done at these partner agencies.
Fall 2026 Partner Spotlight: Ithaca YMCA
Healthcare Access and Quality: Chronic Disease Prevention & Control
The Ithaca YMCA offers several evidence-based community health programs designed to help people prevent or better manage chronic conditions.
These include the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, Walk With Ease (arthritis), Healthy Weight and Your Child, and Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring. The Y also offers fall prevention programs for older adults, and LiveStrong, a program for those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.
Learn more about the Y's Health & Wellness programs on their website: https://www.ithacaymca.com/programs/health-wellness/
Through education, physical activity, peer support, and healthy lifestyle/behavior changes, these programs help participants take an active role in improving their long-term health.
Why should we monitor our blood pressure?
High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, as it is referred to as the 'silent killer' so regularly monitoring blood pressure can help identify concerns before they lead to more serious health problems. Knowing your numbers also helps you and your healthcare provider understand trends over time and make any necessary behavior changes to better overall health. Anyone who consistently sees elevated readings should follow up with their healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation and guidance.
How do we sign up?
YMCA membership is not required to participate in our community health programs. Community members can contact the YMCA to learn more about current or upcoming programs, eligibility, and enrollment as each program has different criteria. We want these programs to be accessible to people throughout the community, regardless of YMCA membership status.
The YMCA offers financial assistance through our Membership and Program Assistance Fund to ensure anyone who could benefit from our facility, programs, and services can do so, regardless of ability to pay.
 YMCA's Gunnar Madison providing Blood Pressure screening
Announcements:
TCWH is hiring for multiple positions! Learn more and apply today!
- Special Education Teachers
- Speech Langauge Pathologists
- Certified Peer Specialist (MH Clinic)
- WIC Nutrition Educator II
- Community Health Worker (Healthy Infants Partnership)
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Clinical Quality Manager
- Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Services
Mammo on the Move Mobile Mammography Van returns to TCWH on Wednesday, November 4th!
Schedule an appointment for a mammogram by calling 607-798-5723. Walk-ins may be allowed, if space permits, but an appointment will guarantee your spot. Scheduling an appointment is strongly encouraged.
You are eligible to use the van for breast screening if:
- You are age 40 or older
- You have no history of breast surgery, or you had a biopsy more than 1 year ago.
- You have no current breast problems or symptoms with benign results and no further problems.
You do not need to be a Lourdes or Guthrie patient in order to use the van. Your results can be sent to the provider of your choice. Insured and uninsured are welcome. No referral needed.
 Guthrie/Lourdes Mammo on the Move Mobile Mammography Van at 55 Brown Road office, Fall 2025
Upcoming **FREE** Community Events:
- Lead Poisoning Prevention free testing event at Ithaca ReUse (10/24, 12pm-2pm) -- see details about event in the flyer shown below!
- Spooky Science, Sciencenter (10/25, 12pm-4pm)
- Community Health Resource Fair, Groton Public Library (11/10, 4pm-6pm)
- Veterans Community Resource Fair, Shops at Ithaca Mall (11/13, 3pm-7pm)
Share to a friend: click box below to sign up for our new newsletter, under the Subscription Topic: Health and Human Services --> "Health Department Community Announcements". (If you are receiving this newsletter, you are already registered.)
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