July 14, 2008 News Headlines

Registration is underway for HANYS’ three-day, intensive training program designed for staff nurses on the path to management. The program, Taking Your Career to the Next Level: Supervisory Training for the Staff Nurse, was first offered last year as part of a Health Care Reform Act Workforce Retraining Grant from the Department of Health. Members are encouraged to register early this year, as the program received rave reviews last year and sold out quickly. The program will be held August 6-8 at the Affinia Manhattan, 371 Seventh Avenue, in New York City. A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel.

As “baby boomers” continue to age and begin retiring, the need for new nurse supervisors will increase. This program will provide an overview of skills needed to become a good manager including: relationship-based leadership, communication strategies, coaching skills, conflict resolution, managing processes, building a team and leading groups, and getting results. Leading the program will be Jo Manion, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.A.A., F.A.A.N., a nationally recognized speaker, author, and senior management consultant who has worked with numerous organizations and individuals in creating effective cultural change, developing leadership capacity, and transforming organizational structures.

A conference brochure with full registration details has been mailed to members. – Cindy Levernois

The New York State Office for the Aging (SOFA), through its Project 2015 and Community Empowerment Programs, is seeking communities’ best practices of programs and services that provide a positive quality of life for the elderly. SOFA will showcase selected community best practices at its November conference in Saratoga Springs titled, Empowering Communities for Successful Aging . . . Housing, Neighborhood Supports, and Services.

SOFA is seeking workshop and presentation proposals for the conference that will assist civic leaders in addressing the needs of the rapidly increasing aging population and challenges to local infrastructure. Each proposal should focus on best practices for building an elder-friendly community or a particular interest such as housing, supportive services, transportation, public safety, community infrastructure and design, zoning, or land use planning.

The aging population is growing rapidly, and this major population shift presents a challenge to communities to develop and provide health care services, housing, transportation, and a quality of life that reflects older adults’ priorities.

For more information about submitting proposals, contact John Cochran, Assistant Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Planning, New York State Office for the Aging, by calling (518) 474-7012 or at john.cochran@ofa.state.ny.us. - Debbie LeBarron