Dear Constituents, Neighbors and Friends,
Dear Friend,
Because of our very heavy outreach and work in the community, numerous organizations invite our office to circulate information about upcoming community events and available resources. Every week, we will send an email announcing events throughout the area. Feel free to look through below.
Sincerely,
Senator Phil Boyle
Colorectal cancer screening is safe during COVID-19
There are many things we’ve had to put off because of COVID-19 but getting screened for colorectal cancer doesn’t have to be one of them. Stool-based screening tests can check for colorectal cancer. These tests are done in the privacy and safety of your home.
The Cancer Services Program (CSP) of Suffolk is asking adults to talk to their health care providers about a colorectal cancer test called FIT. FIT (fecal immunochemical test) looks for blood in a small amount of stool. You do the test at home and mail it to a lab. If the test is normal, you do the test again in one year. If blood is found, you will need a colonoscopy to find out if the blood is from cancer.
A colonoscopy is done in a medical office. Many people are afraid to go into an office because of COVID-19, but health care providers are taking many steps to keep patients safe. Safety steps include making all staff and patients wear a mask, screening staff and patients for COVID-19 symptoms, increased cleaning of hands and surfaces, and social distancing.
This CSP is spreading the word that regular screening for colorectal cancer is low risk and can save lives. Colorectal cancer screening may find growths that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening can also find cancer early when it may be more easily treated. If you are age 50 or older, you should get screened for colorectal cancer. Adults younger than age 50 should talk to their health care provider about their risk for colorectal cancer and when to start screening.
If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, our program may be able to help. The CSP provides free colorectal cancer screening to adults who qualify. They can also provide free breast and cervical cancer screening. Call 631-548-6320 today to find out if you qualify for any cancer screenings!
Connect-Kids-to Parks Field Trip Grant Program
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation offers New York State school children the opportunity to visit state parks, nature centers and historic sites through the Connect-Kids-to Parks Field Trip Grant Program.
The successful grant program funds transportation and program costs for field trips to state parks, public lands, nature centers and historic sites.
Eligible organizations include:
• All Title 1 schools (all grade levels);
• Schools in a district with a Title 1 school (all grade levels and including school-sponsored clubs);
• After school programs participating in Advantage After School, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Empire State After School, or NYC COMPASS;
• County, city, town or village recreation programs and youth bureaus in communities with Title 1 schools;
• Qualified not-for-profits that operate in school districts receiving Title 1 funding. All not-for-profits must be Prequalified in the Grants Gateway.
Since the debut of the reimbursement program in 2016, nearly 4,000 grants have been awarded, providing over 300,000 school students with a direct connection to the environment and history through school field trips, outdoor recreation programs and overnight summer camps.
The New York State park system and Connect Kids are inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards by expanding the opportunities for both children and adults to further connect with their natural surroundings.
Marketing Webinar Series
The Suffolk County Community College Entrepreneurial Assistance Center is hosting a Marketing Webinar Series to assist small business owners with sustaining and growing their businesses during COVID-19. The free webinar series will be conducted in English and Spanish on Saturday mornings starting at 9am -10:30am in English and 11am – 12:30pm in Spanish.
Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP)
Since 2012, the New York State Office of the Attorney General (NYS OAG) has been running the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), which funds a statewide homeowner hotline and contracts with 88 non-profit housing counseling and legal services programs to provide direct assistance to homeowners in every county of the state. Empire Justice and The Center are contracted by the NYS OAG to oversee the contracts and provide technical assistance and training to grantees. The Center also runs the statewide Homeowner Hub where homeowners’ needs are assessed quickly and then immediately transferred to the appropriate agency serving their area. LISC works with many municipalities across the state to prevent vacant homes by connecting at-risk homeowners to HOPP providers.
Time is of the essence – With various state and federally-mandated forbearance periods and foreclosure moratoria scheduled to end in May and June, it is critical for at-risk households to ask for help NOW. We are also very concerned about scammers and want to prevent homeowners from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous companies.
HOPP advocates include legal services lawyers and housing counselors who are specially trained and certified to work with homeowners in default and foreclosure.
Please visit https://ag.ny.gov/protect-our-homes for more information.
New Bay Shore Veterans Wall of Honor Display
A Message from the Bay Shore High School Alumni Association:
We are pleased to announce that our new electronic Bay Shore Veterans Wall of Honor display has been installed in our high school and is up and running for all to see and access. Because of the current COVID19 crisis, however, this beautiful and unique display is proudly presented without public fanfare. A future dedication ceremony will be planned once it is safe for all. See attached photos.
This physical electronic display features a large 60” (handicap accessible) touch-tech monitor in the rear lobby of the Bay Shore High School whereby students and the visiting public can access past and present submitted archived Bay Shore veteran bios and photographs. Selected historical service-related topics of interest are also available for interested reading. Glass shelving on either side of this monitor displays Service-related items including an impressive and informative “Military Medals Shadow Box”.
This display database is also accessible to the internet public by visiting this site at www.bshs.veterans-honor.com. From this site you will be able to fill out a Bay Shore Veteran Data Submission Form to “register” a past or present Bay Shore veteran. Once submitted and vetted, that veteran data and photo will be uploaded and become part of this visible databank. At present we have close to 600 veterans highlighted. Current veteran data can also be updated or expanded upon if needed. There is no cost to register any Bay Shore veteran and we look forward to a rapidly expanding registry.
We would like to thank all donors and especially our founding Wall Sponsors for helping make this project come to fruition. Additional donations and sponsorships are still available and needed in order to keep this interactive site functioning.
This unique display is a tribute to all of our veterans, and another point of pride for our students and the Bay Shore-Brightwaters community!
Shred Day & Identify Theft Prevention
On Saturday May 15, 2021 from 9am 12 noon Community Ambulance Company partnering with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr., US Postal Inspectors Service and the Great South Bay Coalition will be providing a Shred and Identity Theft Prevention Day.
The confiscation of confidential information by the wrong people can be devastating and lead to months, years and often a lifetime of legal battles to regain your identity. One great way to avoid identity theft and keep your confidential information private is by shredding them.
This event will allow for each person to bring up to three boxes or bags of paper to be shredded by a professional shredding vehicle on site and all documentation is then safely recycled. The Shred Truck on site will have a camera and screen so you can watch your personal information being destroyed. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s office, United States Postal Inspectors & the Great South Bay Coalition will be on site to give valuable information on how to protect your identity and answer any questions.
The public can drop off items at the Community Ambulance Company parking lot located at 420 Lakeland Avenue in Sayville. The drop off location is conveniently located in the front of the building parking lot, making it easy, contactless and convenient to drive up and drop off without delay. Due to COVID-19 precautions please arrive wearing a mask, practice social distancing and follow all CDC guidance.
Walk-In Vaccinations
As of April 29, all individuals 16 years and older can walk-in to state-operated vaccination sites to receive the vaccine.
Information for both Nassau and Suffolk Counties can be found above.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (“EBB”) is a temporary Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms and so much more.
The program can provide a credit of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for homes on tribal lands. A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase an internet-accessible device (laptop, desktop, tablet, etc.) from participating providers is also available.
The FCC announced that eligible households will be able to enroll in the program on May 12, 2021! Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.
The EBB has broad eligibility criteria. A household is eligible if it meets one of the following:
Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Altice USA Launches the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program for Optimum and Suddenlink Customers
Qualifying households will receive a credit of up to $50 a month (or up to $75 a month for households on Tribal lands) on broadband services and associated equipment rental charges as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
NEW YORK (May 12, 2021) – Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS), the provider of Optimum and Suddenlink internet, television, and phone service, today announces that as part of its continued efforts to keep communities connected and make broadband more accessible, the company has launched the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will provide eligible Optimum and Suddenlink residential customers with a credit towards their internet service payments.
Optimum and Suddenlink residential customers who meet the eligibility criteria based on the FCC’s rules will receive a monthly credit of up to $50 (or up to $75 for customers on Tribal lands) towards their internet service and associated internet equipment rental charges. The offer is available to both new and existing Optimum and Suddenlink residential customers and will continue until six months after the date the federal government declares the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency or until funds from the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program have been depleted. For more on the program, visit https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
For information on eligibility and how to apply, Optimum and Suddenlink customers can visit Optimum.com/EmergencyBroadband and Suddenlink.com/EmergencyBroadband
Upcoming Blood Drive
Vaccine and Medical Opportunities, May 15
To schedule an appointment, please visit:
11th Annual Clean Streets Project
Come help clean up areas in Brentwood, Central Islip, North Bay Shore, and Wyandanch.
Free event t-shirt, food, and refreshments provided.
CONTACT ME
Albany Office
707 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-3411
District Office
94 W Main Street, Suite 205
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Phone: (631) 665-2311
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