More About my Internship

History of the Agency 

The Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Regions (CSP-FLR), formerly known as the Women’s Health partnership, was founded in 1993. CSP-FLR has been operating under the leadership of the Center for Community Health and Prevention which is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). This program is funded through a grant from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). CSP-FLR provides access and education to populations in Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties who are underinsured or uninsured. The program provides free of charge access to age-appropriate breast, cervical and colorectal (colon) cancer screenings. They partner with over 200 providers and service sites to reduce barriers faced by this population and pay for screenings and follow-up services in the case of abnormal findings. If cancer is detected, they will refer the client if they are eligible to the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP). 

 

Missions, Goals & Objectives 

The mission statement of CSP-FLR “To join forces with the community to promote health equity; improve health through research, education, services, and policy; and establish local and national models for prevention and community engagement”. The goal of this agency is to promote health through breaking barriers in the community. Through providing screenings to uninsured individuals, they give access to preventative care to those who otherwise may not be able to afford screenings or treatment. As they pay for follow-ups, they also help clients acquire health insurance if needed. Through this they help populations within the community who may not have otherwise had the chance to have these services. The CSP-FLR and to increase the number of enrolled clients and increase the number of screenings such as mammograms, pap smears and FIT tests. 

  

Administrative and Operational Aspects 

The Program Manager takes care of most operational aspects of the program, which includes reports, budgets, provider agreements, billing and grants. However, as the team is small, we all chip in with the day-to-day functions and create innovative ways to promote CSP-FLR and help enroll clients into the program.  

  

Community Partners 

The CSP-FLR has 35 community partners that help support the organization's initiatives. Some of these include the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Geneseo Parish Outreach Center, Wayne County Rural Health Network, and Rochester Regional Mobile Mammo. These partners refer clients to the program, assist in marketing program services, provide screening day opportunities, and provide valuable resources to CSP-FLR to better help the populations of focus (black individuals, LGBTQIA+, and rural populations). 

 

Finance Sources & Operations 

The program is grant funded, most recently they were awarded a grant for $360,000 through the NYSDOH that covers the next five years of operations which started in October of 2023. When available, CSP-FLR applies for other grants to help resources become more accessible to the communities they serve. The state reimburses the service sites the Medicaid rate for screenings.  

  

Political Forces Influence 

The CSP-FLR works with the local governments and organizations. This includes local politicians, the local health departments, Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester Medical Centers Office of Government and Community Relations. The program works with the Senior Director of State Relations and Community Affairs Advisor at URMC to educate local decision makers about CSP-FLR and local screening data.