All posts by imreal

Santa Rosa Consulting and Southern Illinois Healthcare Announces Partnership to Establish a Comprehensive Test Automation Program


News Image

“Santa Rosa’s test automation program… will provide dual value by delivering significant time savings for our existing team to focus on higher value activities while also allowing us to dramatically increase testing capacity, scope and frequency without adding new staff.”

Santa Rosa Consulting, Inc., a leading provider of test automation solutions and technical services exclusively to the healthcare industry, announced today that Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) has partnered with the firm to establish a comprehensive test automation program for its Epic EHR. SIH is a prominent multi-hospital health system dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of the many communities it serves.

“We are thrilled to expand a long-time relationship with SIH with our industry leading test automation program,” said Bill Leander, EVP/Chief Strategy Officer at Santa Rosa Consulting. “SIH has always been a thought leader when it comes to innovation toward the advancement of their mission. Like many organizations, they recognize that the traditional, manual testing simply cannot keep up with the growing complexity of their IT ecosystem coupled with increasingly frequent and complex Epic releases. Our test automation program, therefore, is a critical aspect of mitigating risks to patient safety, clinical care and revenue cycle integrity.”

“Santa Rosa’s test automation program is head and shoulders above anything else we found in the market. It will provide dual value by delivering significant time savings for our existing team to focus on higher value activities while also allowing us to dramatically increase testing capacity, scope and frequency without adding new staff,” said Megan McFarland, Interim CIO at SIH. “Santa Rosa has an extensive track record in delivering high-impact solutions to SIH, and we are confident test automation will do the same.”

Santa Rosa’s test automation program is the only end-to-end solution powered by Epic certified testing engineers and accelerated through a national library of Epic automated test scripts for all major modules. Automated test scripts are customized to each organization’s unique build and workflows. Santa Rosa’s engineers then meticulously update those scripts over time to reflect ongoing changes to Epic. Uninterrupted benefits are realized not only in testing but in system adoption, education and training, and optimization.

ABOUT SANTA ROSA CONSULTING:

Santa Rosa Consulting provides management advisory and technical consulting services to the healthcare industry across the spectrum of vendor and IT products and systems. We empower better healthcare by designing, creating, staffing and sustaining IT solutions that deliver quantified value. Founded in 2008, Santa Rosa Consulting is managed by industry veterans with an average of 20 years of healthcare information technology experience. Santa Rosa is recognized for delivering world-class services and solutions and has received Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare award multiple years in a row. For more information, visit santarosaconsulting.com, call (866) 944-4772 or email TestAutomation@SantaRosaConsulting.com for more information.

ABOUT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE:

With nearly 4,000 physicians, advanced practice providers and staff, SIH is Southern Illinois’ second largest employer with a primary service area including Williamson, Jackson, Perry, Franklin, Johnson, Union and Saline counties. The organization is home to three hospitals (SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, SIH Herrin Hospital and SIH St. Joseph Memorial Hospital), the SIH Cancer Institute in Carterville, 30 family medicine and specialty practices, 11 outpatient rehabilitation facilities and the only trauma center in Illinois south of Springfield.

A not-for-profit safety net health system, SIH is the largest provider of charity care, unreimbursed care and community benefits in Southern Illinois. As part of its mission and values to provide care to all people in the communities they serve, SIH provided nearly $120,000,000 in uncompensated care and over $5.4 million in charity care, or free and discounted services, to patients in FY 2018.

SIH continues to garner national quality honors for cardiac, stroke, bariatric, cancer, breast imaging and rehabilitation services and enjoys robust affiliations with the BJC Collaborative, Prairie Heart Institute and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago).

Share article on social media or email:

Linc Housing and National CORE Join Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Inglewood Mayor James Butts Jr. to Break Ground on 101 New Affordable and Supportive Homes


Inglewood Mayor James Butts and LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (both center), with Rebecca Clark, President & CEO, Linc Housing and Mike Ruane, Executive Vice President, National CORE.

This is the kind of transit-oriented development that our region needs, and we simply can’t build it fast enough.

Co-developers National Community Renaissance (National CORE) and Linc Housing, both California-based nonprofits, today joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Jr., and other partners to celebrate the start of construction at the site of Fairview Heights Apartments. The all-new affordable housing apartment complex will bring 101 one-, two- and three-bedroom homes to Inglewood, including 50 units for people who have experienced homelessness, 50 units for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income, and one manager’s unit.

“When this is built, we’ll have 100 affordable apartments – half for people transitioning off the streets, and the other half for people struggling to get by,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. “This is the kind of transit-oriented development that our region needs, and we simply can’t build it fast enough.” The 1.44-acre site, located at 923 East Redondo Blvd in Inglewood, is owned by the County of Los Angeles.

“This apartment community fulfills our continuing commitment to provide opportunity and housing for those of low income and allows the homeless to become housed,” said Mayor Butts. “I thank Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Linc Housing and National CORE for partnering with Inglewood to produce such a magnificent project.”

Fairview Heights Apartments will include two four-story Spanish-style buildings with open spaces to promote resident interaction. The community will have on-site parking, bike storage, community room with computer lab, offices for case management, tot lot, and an outdoor courtyard with a picnic area. The new complex will incorporate a variety of energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable building features that promote healthy living and help residents reduce their utility expenses.

“Homelessness ends when we have enough supportive and affordable housing for everyone,” said Michael Ruane, executive vice president of National CORE. “We’re proud to partner with Linc Housing to be part of the solution by bringing these much needed new homes to Inglewood.”    

Partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and The People Concern will allow Linc and National CORE to serve the 50 formerly homeless households with intensive case management services, while all future residents will have access to life-enhancing services through Linc’s resident services program.

“We know that providing an affordable home is the first step to ending homelessness and creating housing stability for low-income families,” said Rebecca Clark, Linc Housing president and CEO. “We also know it takes supportive services to ensure our residents thrive, which is why we’re committed to working with our partners long term so this new community succeeds for decades to come.”

Intensive case management services include mental health and physical health services, employment counseling and job placement, education, substance abuse counseling, money management, assistance in obtaining and maintaining benefits, and referrals to community-based services and resources. Linc resident services will support all residents with a variety of programs to promote community, health and wellness.

In addition to the new homes, the ground level will also have 7,394 square feet of commercial retail and community-serving retail space to create opportunities for local businesses and community organizations. The location is in walking distance to surrounding community amenities, including the nearby Edward Vincent Junior Park and the Fairview Heights Metro Station due to open later this year.

Funding for the development comes from a variety of sources including $11.5 million from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Mental Health Housing Program Funds, Measure H Funds, and Proposition A – L.A. County District Two), as well as a conventional loan and tax credit equity from Bank of America.

The new community was designed by KFA Architecture and will be built by National CORE’s construction division. The development is due to be completed in late 2021.

About Linc Housing Corporation

Linc Housing, one of California’s most productive nonprofit developers of affordable housing, is committed to building communities and strengthening neighborhoods for people underserved by the marketplace. Linc has helped create more than 8,000 homes in 80 communities throughout the state. The organization’s properties are known for excellent design, outstanding management and life-enhancing services for its residents. Linc has 35 years of service to families, seniors, people with special needs, and local governments – helping to create sustainable communities via new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, and historic preservation. Visit http://www.Linchousing.org for more information.

About National CORE

National Community Renaissance, based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. CORE manages nearly 9,000 affordable, senior and market-rate units in California, Texas and Florida. Over its nearly two decade history, the Hope through Housing Foundation has provided more than 2 million hours of transformational social services such as financial literacy training, senior wellness, and preschool and afterschool programs. For more information on National CORE and Hope through Housing, please visit http://www.nationalcore.org.

Note to editors: Artists’ renderings and groundbreaking event photos available on request.

Share article on social media or email:

Compare-autoinsurance.org Presents The Best Discounts For Student Drivers


News Image

“Studying hard and leaving your car at home while at college will make the car insurance premiums significantly cheaper”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that presents the best 2 car insurance discounts for students.

For more info and free car insurance quotes online, check https://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-best-2-car-insurance-discounts-for-students/

Teens are perceived as high-risk drivers. Students below 25 years old make no exception. In fact, some companies may consider students even more predisposed to to accidents and ask for more expensive premiums. Find out more about the existing options to lower the costs. Furthermore, get free car insurance quotes from http://compare-autoinsurance.org/.


  • Good grades student discount is the most valuable discount on the market. Students with a GPA above 3.0 or a B average can qualify for this discount. Companies view hard-working students as more responsible. Plus, they assume that these students spend more time in dorms/at home and study, rather than going out for parties. The value of this discount varies a lot between carriers. The typical range is around 5%- 15%. However, some companies offer a 35% discount to students under 25 years old that complete the teenSMART driver education program. Also, each carrier asks proofs of good grades, like a report card. Some companies may require the student to be on Dean’s Honorary list in order to grant the discount.
  • The resident student discount is another big discount. This discount is designed for students who study far away from home and leave the car at home. In this way, they do not driver regularly and are less exposed to accidents. Again, the value and requirements for this discount will vary. Generally, the carrier will require documentation to prove that the student is at least 100 miles away from home. The value of the discount is around 20%.

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

For more information, please visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org

Share article on social media or email:

The 2020 Lean Summit Showcases Long-Term Lean Transformations Displaying Grit and Perseverance


lean summit logo

Executives, managers, and continuous improvement professionals will share secrets to sustaining long-term lean management transformations.

Sustaining lean continuous improvement over time doesn’t happen by exhorting people to work harder but through grit and perseverance, which are the keys to any outstanding achievement.

Managers and executives from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, service, and healthcare, will describe how grit and perseverance have helped them sustain long-term continuous improvement efforts at the annual Lean Summit, April 6-7, 2020, in Carlsbad, CA.

“Sustaining lean continuous improvement over time doesn’t happen by exhorting people to work harder but through grit and perseverance, which are the keys to any outstanding achievement,” said Josh Howell, president of the nonprofit Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI), the conference organizer. “The speakers and their companies are diverse, but they all share the common trait of tenacity in improving work.”

Attendees will learn:

  • How to move from isolated operational improvements to developing an improvement system.
  • What is the management approach to lean thinking and practice that will support ongoing improvement.
  • What are the roles of leaders supporting business units and CI leaders in a transformation.
  • How to use milestones to provide learning opportunities to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

The content design of the summit will augment the flow of learning. For example, plenary speakers will explain the strategic business cases behind long-term transformations. They include:

  • CEO Peter Davoren, Turner Construction Company,
  • CEO Kiame Mahaniah, MD, Lynn Community Health Center,
  • CEO Robert Martichenko, LeanCor,
  • Former school district Superintendent Pat Greco,
  • Executive Director Carlos Frederico Pinto, MD, Instituto de Oncologia do Vale, Brazil,
  • President and COO Ronald Kelner, Deublin Company.

Plenaries are followed by in-depth learning sessions, including these topics:

  • Changing the Culture by Truly Focusing on the Customer: Crayola,
  • Building an Army of Improvers: Creating the Conditions to Improve, Learn, and Spreading Results in Education and Beyond; School District of Menomonee Falls,
  • Examining Complex Problem Solving Inside of Toyota: A Case Study Review; by Lisa Yerian, MD; author and former Toyota manager John Shook,
  • The Challenges of Exponential Growth: Magalu Case; Magazine Luiza,
  • The Future of Leadership: Embracing the Future by Making Work Meaningful; LeanCor Supply Chain Group,
  • Zx-Quest: Building an Excellence Framework for the Long Haul, AB InBev.

Post-summit workshops take the learning to the next level and tie to the main points of the summit:

  • 5S – Visual Workplace,
  • Coaching for Improvement with Daily Intention,
  • Demystify & Simplify: The Connection between Management Systems, A3 Thinking, and Change Management,
  • Designing the Future (lean product and process development),
  • Leading with Purpose: Coaching to Create Perseverance and Capabilities to Sustain Lean Transformation,
  • Lean Profit Model,
  • Managing to Learn (A3 management process),
  • Lean Supply Chain Problem Solving Within LeanCor’s Management System,
  • Strategy Deployment and Alignment through Hoshin,
  • Visualize the Thinking at the Obeya – from the daily struggles of management to charting the way forward.

An innovative new feature of the summit is a gallery where exhibits will provide hands-on, immersive learning experiences, such as an accurate replica of a company’s obeya room that’s helping cross-functional teams persevere through the hard work of product and process development.

Get the latest news on the Lean Summit on all social media channels by following the hashtag #LeanSummit2020.

About the Lean Enterprise Institute

Lean Enterprise Institute Inc. (LEI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Cambridge, MA, with a mission to make things better through lean thinking and practice by helping companies create more value and prosperity while consuming the fewest possible resources. Founded in 1997 by management expert James Womack, PhD, LEI conducts research through co-learning partnerships with companies, teaches on-site and public workshops, publishes books and ebooks, organizes conferences, and shares practical information about lean thinking and practice. Visit http://www.lean.org.

Share article on social media or email:

Help.org Names the Best Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in Brooklyn


News Image

Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in Brooklyn, New York for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 26 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In Brooklyn, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in Brooklyn with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like Brooklyn. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in Brooklyn, New York please visit https://www.help.org/best-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-brooklyn-ny/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in Brooklyn, New York (in alphabetical order)

Arms Acres

75 Seminary Hill Road

Carmel, NY 10512

845-225-3400

Bridge Back to Life Center Inc

175 Remsen Street, 10th Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-852-5552

Bridging Access to Care Inc Chemical Dependency Outpatient

2261 Church Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11226

347-505-5176

Community Counseling and Mediation

25 Elm Place, 2nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-802-0666

Counseling Services of EDNY

175 Remsen Street, Suite 900

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-858-6631

Dynamic Youth Community Outpatient

1830 Coney Island Avenue

Brooklyn NY 11230

718-376-7923

Farnham Family Services Chemical Dependency Outpatient

283 West 2nd Street, Suite 200

Oswego, NY 13126

315-342-4489

Flushing Hospital Medical Center

4500 Parsons Boulevard

Flushing, NY 11355

718-670-5000

Freedom Institute

515 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

212-838-0044

Hands on Health Associates LLC

249 Pennsylvania Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11207

347-547-3626

H.E.L.P. Services, Inc.

33 Guy Lombardo Avenue

Freeport, NY 11520

516-546-2822

Horizon Health Services

55 Dodge Road

Getzville, New York 14068

716-831-1800

Housing Works

57 Willoughby Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

347-473-7400

Long Island Interventions

130 Post Avenue

Westbury, NY 11590

631-887-3234

New Directions Clinic Alcohol and Substance Abuse Outpatient

500 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11217

718-398-0800

New York Therapeutic Communities, Inc

2071 Fulton Street

Brooklyn, New York 11233

718-398-0096

Odyssey House

120 Wall Street

New York City, NY 10005

212-361-1600

Outreach at Greenpoint Brooklyn

960 Manhattan Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11222

718-383-7200

Parallax Center, Inc.

145 East 32nd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY, 10016

212-779-9207

Paul J Cooper Center for Human Servs Drug Abuse Outpt Rehab Clinic

510 Gates Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11216

718-498-5555

Saint Jude Retreat

9 Market Street

Amsterdam, NY 12010

518-842-2204

Sober Companion NYC

25-37 46th Street

Astoria, NY 11103

917-817-7686

Step One at Northeast Center for Special Care

300 Grant Avenue

Lake Katrine, NY 12449

845-336-3500

The SAFE Foundation, Inc.

PO Box 230060

Brooklyn, NY 11223

866-569-7233

TRI Center Inc Drug Abuse Treatment

175 Remsen Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-858-4050

Urban Recovery

411 Van Brunt Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

646-859-0699

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.org’s team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.

Share article on social media or email:

Salt Athletics Launches Extreme Performance Room At World Gym Pensacola Featuring Rogue Echo Bikes


World Gym Pensacola is pleased to announce the addition of an Extreme Performance Room from Salt Athletics to their new 13,000 square foot facility. Salt Athletics features a patent-pending scientific wellness program that delivers a “stack” of advanced wellness protocols into a single 30-minute session.

Extreme Performance Rooms are designed for people who are looking to burn more calories, train for endurance sports, or simply increase their athletic performance in a signficant manner. World Gym members who join Salt Athletics will now have access to the Extreme Performance Room. The Extreme Performance Room is loaded with brand new HIIT Rogue Echo bikes as well as immersive video. Each Salt Athletics experience has complete coverage Mito Red Light systems installed, as well as Salt Titan Halo Generators (dry salt therapy). During each session users will receive a unique combination of deep red light 660nm and near infrared light 850nm therapy and salt inhalation therapy. Additional components of each Salt Athletics Extreme Performance Room at World Gym Pensacola include oxygen concentrators and negative ion generators. Each Salt Athletics Extreme Perfomance session begins with a glass of ionized water, and at the completion of each session each member receives a fresh glass of carrot, apple and celery juice made on-demand in a centrifugal juicer to deliver active enzymes.

World Gym Pensacola owner Ed Weihenmayer, who has owned and operated commercial fitness centers for 30-years said he searched out the most innovative new fitness technology in the industry. “ Today’s fitness center customers are looking for something that will give them an advantage in their training regiment. They want to look better, feel better, and perform better. the Salt Athletics Extreme Performance Room delivers in a way no other cardio based training system in the industry can. There simply is no fitness program in the world that can benefit the human body as much as the Salt Athletics Extreme Performance Room delivers to our members in each 30 minute session.”

The Salt Athletic patent pending application of exercise, red light, and halotherapy can help improve the respiratory system, increase VO2max, speeds recovery time healing muscles and ligament sprains, boost cell production, boost liver function, improves metabolism, regenerates blood, combats depression, speeds skin repair, and increases mitochondria which gives us more energy.” Pensacola residents 18- and older are entitled to one free Salt Athletics session at World Gym Pensacola, located at 7166 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32504.

Salt Athletics is a division of HaloTherapy Center, LLC, and currently has 3 separate patents pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. “Salt Athletics is pleased to have a significant presence in the new World Gym Pensacola location and the opening of their new Extreme Performance Room is an important milestone for their members and the community,” said John Brier, Managing Partner of Salt Athletics. “Extreme Performance Rooms are portable, easy to set up, and come in sizes from 8’x8’ up to 20’x20’ or larger if needed. Custom graphics are also available making an Extreme Performance Room from Salt Athletics a logical addition to any existing ftiness center”, added Brier.

The positive effects of Salt Athletics on top-tier athletes is starting to get noticed on the national stage. “When competing as an athlete at a high-level extending the capabilities of your body to perform at a peak-level is a game-changer in terms of individual and team performance,” said Rich DeCaprio, General Manager and Head Coach of the Boston Junior Rangers hockey team. “I look forward to working with Salt Athletics in the near future in order to give our team and our players the opportunity to perform longer at peak capacity while on the ice.” The Boston Junior Rangers are currently ranked #1 in the country for USA Hockey Tier III Junior Hockey.

Salt Athletics is currently licensing their patent-pending scientific wellness system to fitness centers and wellness centers nationally. Protected territories are available. Salt Athletics allows fitness and wellness centers to increase membership levels by attracting new customers, drive new revenue from existing customers, and to provide comprehensive fitness and wellness activities to their members.

Contact Information:

Ed Weihenmayer

World Gym Pensacola

7166 N. 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504

Tel. 850.346.4787

John Brier

HaloTherapy Center, LLC

http://www.SaltAthletics.com

Share article on social media or email:

GenAlpha to Exhibit at World of Concrete 2020 Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 4-7


News Image

The GenAlpha team will be exhibiting at World of Concrete throughout the week. Contact Jim Vogel, VP of sales at 414-975-0844 to arrange for scheduled appointments or drop by at booth C6786.

GenAlpha Technologies LLC will be exhibiting at World of Concrete 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 4-7 to showcase their Equip eCommerce offering for manufacturing firms. Equip is an eCommerce software offering designed specifically for manufacturers for providing a feature-rich buying experience for manufacturing customers, distributors and dealers. Attendees will be able to speak directly with GenAlpha’s aftermarket experts and receive demos of Equip’s unique capabilities. Firms in need of assistance with their eCommerce strategies can benefit from GenAlpha’s extensive knowledge and experience.

“Our World of Concrete team is very excited to be attending this fantastic gathering of manufacturers again this year. Our Equip offering represents years of analysis and development, working with world class OEMs to create a unique customer experience for dealer, distributor and customer relationships. Our representatives look forward to sharing the Equip experience with World of Concrete attendees interested in taking their digital services to the next level,” says Stan Eames, GenAlpha’s CEO.

Features such as an integrated commerce-enabled electronic parts catalog, BOM illustration hot-spotting and interactive 3-D drawings make Equip a premier consideration when selecting an eCommerce solution. Beyond parts, the system is also a solution for small equipment, used fleet sales, consumable and accessories. These features, coupled with strong aftermarket expertise and the ability to integrate with virtually any ERP or CRM platform are what makes GenAlpha stand out in the eCommerce landscape.

The GenAlpha team will be exhibiting at World of Concrete throughout the week. Contact Jim Vogel, VP of sales at 414-975-0844 to arrange for scheduled appointments or drop by at booth C6786.

Headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, GenAlpha Technologies LLC is an innovative provider of eCommerce, eCatalog and customer portal solutions specifically for manufacturers looking to digitize their aftermarket sales efforts. More information may be found on-line at http://www.genalpha.com.

Share article on social media or email:

$450,000 Kessler Foundation Grant to Encourage People with Disabilities to Look for Employment


JEVS Human Services Logo

“The support services and managed care being offered in this model has the potential to embolden people with disabilities to enter the job market,” explained Elaine E. Katz, SVP for grants and communications at Kessler Foundation.

Kessler Foundation has awarded a two-year, $450,000 Signature Employment Grant to JEVS Human Services in Philadelphia, PA to pilot Road to Employment, to test a new mechanism for motivating people with disabilities to pursue employment, connecting them to long-term support services, and reducing public benefits dependence. After the pilot proves the intervention’s effectiveness, JEVS Human Services will scale it throughout Pennsylvania’s managed care system to maximize its reach.

The grant is part of over $2.4 million in grants awarded by Kessler Foundation in 2019 to organizations across the U.S. to support initiatives that create and expand job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“JEVS Human Services will develop several interrelated tools to support the project,” said Stephanie Koch senior vice president, business development at JEVS Human Services. “This includes a roadmap guiding people with disabilities through the complex consideration of working and receiving public benefit assistance; an interactive app with benefits calculator illustrating the long-term financial impact of multiple employment scenarios based on earnings alongside public benefits; and a training curriculum.”

JEVS believes the Road to Employment program will increase the number of people with disabilities who are employed. As a result, participants will experience improved health outcomes and significant monetary gains due to lower health costs and more wages.

“Many people with disabilities do not pursue employment that could provide them with a higher quality of life—sustainable incomes, health benefits, and socialization opportunities—than public benefits affords them,” explained Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president for grants and communications at Kessler Foundation. “The support services and managed care being offered in this model has the potential to embolden people with disabilities to enter the job market.”

Short term, the hope is that individuals will learn to advocate for themselves more effectively and employers will experience a change in attitudes regarding people with disabilities. Longer term, JEVS will seek to measure the number of managed care organizations across the Philadelphia region and the nation that adopt this approach.

About JEVS Human Services

JEVS was founded in 1941 to meet the employment needs of the region’s Jewish community and has since evolved to meet the needs of people from all walks of life seeking to realize their vocational and personal potential. JEVS’ mission is to enhance the employability, independence, and quality of life of individuals through a broad range of programs and create innovative and sustainable solutions to address current and future community needs.

JEVS serves nearly 30,000 vulnerable individuals each year, excelling at helping clients who are low-income, have a disability, are unemployed, and others facing multiple barriers navigate the best options to meet their needs and connect to sustainable education, training, and employment opportunities, all of which are carefully designed to help clients gain independence. For more information, visit jevshumanservices.org.

About Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

Apply Now

Kessler Foundation is accepting applications now for its 2020 grant programs. To learn more and to apply, please visit our website. Signature Employment Grants applications are due February 14, 2020. Community Employment Grants applications are due by April 6, 2020. Inquires accepted for Special Initiative Grants on a rolling basis.

Stay connected

Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/KesslerFdn

Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/KesslerFoundation

YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/user/KesslerFoundation

Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/kesslerfdn

Contact information:

Kessler Foundation

Carolann Murphy, PA

973-324-8382

CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org

Rob Gerth

973-323-3675

RGerth@KesslerFoundation.org

Share article on social media or email:



New York City Spa Offers First Ever “Pay What You Want” For Their Premium Services


News Image

We are so confident that our success will translate here in New York that we took on the challenge of the $0 and up model.

New York City Spa Offers First Ever “Pay What You Want” For Their Premium Services

Starting January 15th, Atsumi Kaneda, founder of New York City based Goku Spa (http://www.gokusleep.com) is doing something that no spa in New York has done: allow their customers to pay whatever they want for their top-tier treatment service.

Kaneda’s bold and generous proposition is for Goku’s “Ultimate Sleep” massage which normally costs $150.

Goku has three other locations in Japan with a 540,000-person waiting list.

“Our hope is for New Yorkers to be at ease as we share exactly what this “Ultimate Sleep” is. When people experience an emotion they have never had, the reaction is priceless. We are so confident that our success will translate here in New York that we took on the challenge of the $0 and up model. This means that it is up to clients to determine the value of the hour-long “Ultimate Sleep” spa session.” said Atsumi Kaneda, founder of Goku.

Kaneda created her special form of treatment called Zecchou Sleep (meaning “ultimate sleep”), which is done without water or oil. The technique is composed of twenty-one types of strokes. Pressure and direction using the fingers are applied to the scalp, facia, and muscles of the head. The therapists hands move slowly to lose the move the muscles of the head which result in more blood flow and circulation. Beneath the scalp are the large fascia and some thin muscles.

The $0 and up model (tip included) applies to all hour-long massages reserved during the first three months of 2020 (January 15-March 15th). This offer is only valid for one use per person.

For more information about Goku spa, please call (929) 336-3088 and visit: https://www.gokusleep.com/

For all interviews please call Ryan McCormick of Goldman McCormick Public Relations (http://www.goldmanmccormick.com) at 516-901-1103 / 919-377-1200

Share article on social media or email:

Omega Women’s Leadership Center Names New Director Abby Graf Subak


At a time when growing women’s leadership is so vital to creating a climate for positive change, we are thrilled about the skills and excellence Abby will bring to the OWLC, and our shared commitment to advancing women’s voices and impact.

The Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC) has selected Abby Graf Subak to be its new director. Graf Subak has devoted her career to developing progressive nonprofit organizations, including working with such esteemed nonprofits as 92nd Street Y, Idealist.org, and Arts Gowanus (Brooklyn, NY). She brings to the OWLC extensive experience in community building, program development and implementation, strategic planning, fundraising, training, and organizational development.

“At a time when growing women’s leadership is so vital to creating a climate for positive change, we are thrilled about the skills and excellence Abby will bring to the OWLC, and our shared commitment to advancing women’s voices and impact,” said Carla Goldstein, president of Omega Institute and cofounder of the OWLC.

At Arts Gowanus, Graf Subak transformed the organization from a 1-event, 3-volunteer operation into a major presence for artists and community members with year-round programming, more than 25 active volunteers, and thriving fundraising. While the director of organizing at Idealist.org, her accomplishments included launching a global initiative of people acting on their good intentions and making a difference in their communities. As a consultant for the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, she developed programs to engage global constituencies in women’s leadership initiatives. As a consultant for the #GivingTuesday philanthropic campaign, she ran a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to collect and share everyday people’s stories of generosity, with the goal of inspiring others to also give back. Earlier Graf Subak worked at Public Conversations Project, an Omega partner, and she has served on several community service boards. She is the mother of two teenagers.

“I feel incredibly honored to join Omega and the OWLC team at such an important time in history for women to be stepping up into positions of leadership,” said Graf Subak. “I have long admired Omega’s nonprofit work, and the substantial impact the OWLC has had on countless women around the world,” concluded Graf Subak.

Starting almost 20 years ago with the acclaimed Women & Power conference series, dedicated to inspiring women to Do Power Differently®, the OWLC today provides more than a dozen annual programs ranging from single-day sessions on public speaking, to a weeklong multifaceted leadership intensive, to a yearlong cohort program for nonprofit leaders who address a wide range of social justice issues, as well as online learning programs.

For more information visit eOmega.org/owlc, and follow the OWLC on Facebook.com/owlc.

About the Omega Women’s Leadership Center

Founded in 2012, the Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC) is a hub for catalyzing a new way of envisioning women’s leadership. The OWLC offers an interdisciplinary leadership curriculum to support personal and professional development throughout the lifespan—for aspiring leaders who want to hone skills and deepen self-understanding; and for established leaders who are looking to make a change, give back, and impact the world. http://www.eOmega.org/owlc

About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 250 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world. http://www.eOmega.org

Share article on social media or email: