Nonprofit to fund medication training for Cayuga County day care centers, providers. * 3 hrs ago * 0 Staff reporter A nonprofit providing childcare and education services in Cayuga County announced Wednesday a new initiative to fund training for caregivers to administer medication. Child Care Solutions, which serves both Cayuga and Onondaga counties, has received grant funding from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its CNY Medical Child Care Access Initiative. The initiative will provide medication administration training, registered nurse oversight and liability insurance stipends for select early childhood care providers. The initiative is crucial, Child Care Solutions said in a news release, especially for Cayuga County families. According to state data, nearly 18% of children younger than 5 require regular or emergency medication. Using a database with the Early Care & Learning Council, Child Care Solutions found that there are no family day care locations in Cayuga County with medication administration training certifications, it said. People are also reading... The nonprofit hopes to change that statistic through the initiative, and childcare providers are encouraged to apply to receive certification in medication administration. The funding can help as many as 12 locations become certified, Child Care Solutions said. Beyond full coverage for course fees and medical supplies, participating childcare centers will also gain access to Child Care Solutions' staff registered nurse, who will act as a medical director to oversee children's medical needs alongside center employees. Anne Napper, executive director of Child Care Solutions, said the nonprofit has English and Spanish-speaking R.N. guidance available. "This grant allows early childhood care professionals to safely grow their businesses while serving as vital safe harbors for local children," Napper said. Families seeking childcare options according to their child's health or environmental needs, including medication administration training-certified care and allergy-aware environments, can contact Child Care Solutions for no-cost provider referrals. To learn more about the CNY Medical Child Care Access Initiative, or receive a list of referrals, call Child Care Solutions at (315) 446-1220 or visit ccscny.org. Staff reporter Katy McCumber can be reached at (315) 282-2232 or [email protected]. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Staff reporter

AAA: Time to evaluate Medicare coverage. Fri, Oct 2nd 2026 03:05 pm Medicare recipients are encouraged to review their plans with licensed Medicare advisors By AAA of Western and Central New York The Medicare annual enrollment period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare recipients are encouraged to determine if their health care needs have changed and prepare for any changes to their current plan in the new year. AAA recommends sitting down with a licensed insurance adviser to evaluate whether your current Medicare plan will change and if another plan might better meet your needs and budget. The Medicare plan selected during AEP will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Current Medicare recipients should receive their plan's annual notice of change (ANOC) by the first week of October. This notice will review changes to the benefits and costs of their current Medicare plan for 2027. With more than 70 plans to choose from, entering the world of Medicare can lead to more questions than answers. Changes to Medicare plans can impact key aspects of healthcare, including choice of doctor, prescription drug coverage, and cost. Therefore, it is very important for recipients to review Medicare plan coverage options for 2027 to ensure that they are enrolled in a plan that best meets their health care needs. AAA's licensed Medicare advisers can guide individuals to ensure they receive adequate coverage. Medicare is the federal insurance program for people who are 65 or older or certain younger people with disabilities. AEP is the time of year when everyone who is Medicare-eligible can make changes to their plans. AAA partners with many different insurance carriers to offer a wide range of options so that recipients can maximize what their plan offers. Unlike many providers, AAA doesn't work for insurance carriers, so insurance agents can offer unbiased assistance to help recipients find a Medicare plan to meet their needs. Services are available to all Medicare-eligible individuals in the community, both AAA members and nonmembers alike. The public can learn more by visiting www.AAA.com/Medicare to schedule an appointment online or by calling 877-477-7120. AAA works with familiar carriers like Highmark, Excellus, Univera and Independent Health, offering more than 70 plans to tailor coverage to individual needs. Within the plans, Medicare has four main "Parts" that cover specific services. These are: - Part A for hospital insurance. This is for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some health care services. - Part B for medical insurance. This covers certain doctor's services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative services. - Part C (Medicare Advantage) offers Medicare coverage through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans include Part A and Part B coverage and often include additional benefits. - Part D for prescription drug coverage. Part D adds prescription drug coverage to original Medicare and Medicare-related plans. By calling, you agree that a AAA licensed insurance agent may contact you. AAA Insurance is provided through AAA Members Insurance Agency of Western & Central New York Inc., which offers products through AAA-affiliated companies and non-affiliated companies. Not affiliated with any government agency including Medicare. Wnypapers do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently Wnypapers represent 10-plus organizations which offer 70-plus products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Foodlink, Excellus team up for Hunger Action Month in Rochester. Tue, September 1, 2026 at 3:06 PM Updated Tue, September 1, 2026 at 3:35 PM Representatives from Foodlink and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield are pictured Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, during a Hunger Action Month event at Foodlink's Curbside Market site on Lake Avenue in Rochester. (Photo by Matt Churpita/WHAM) Ask 13 WHAM anything How many stops does Foodlink's Curbside Market make weekly? Which organization committed to supporting the Curbside Market for three years? Why are rising food costs and SNAP cuts affecting families? Rochester, N.Y. - September is Hunger Action Month, and two Rochester-area organizations are teaming up to raise awareness about food insecurity and expand access to healthy food. Foodlink and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield kicked off the nationwide campaign Tuesday at Foodlink's Curbside Market on Lake Avenue. Foodlink said more than 155,000 people experience food insecurity across its 10-county service area. In Rochester's 14608 ZIP code, where Tuesday's event was held, more than 27% of residents experience food insecurity - double the regional average. "Foodlink's Curbside Market helps local residents stretch their dollars," Florence Clemmons, Foodlink's director of community-based strategies, said in a statement. "Our neighbors grapple with a high cost of food and gas, which ultimately impacts the food on their plate and the overall health of our community." The Curbside Market operates six days a week, making more than 50 stops at affordable housing sites, senior centers, health clinics and community centers. The mobile markets offer fresh produce and other grocery staples to thousands of shoppers each year. Excellus recently committed to supporting the program for another three years, with investments aimed at equipment, technology and infrastructure improvements. Foodlink said rising costs and changes to SNAP eligibility and work requirements have also caused thousands of local residents to lose food assistance. SPONSORED CONTENT MORE TO EXPLORE