All posts by imreal

Accordia Health in Coosa County welcomes Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for a visit


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“I came to learn and see what we can do to replicate this model,” Ivey said to attendees.

Gov. Kay Ivey praised Accordia Health’s newly opened clinic as an example of how the medical community can better serve Alabama’s rural communities.

At Ivey’s request, she toured the facility on Tuesday, Dec. 10. She was joined by state and local dignitaries, including legislators, town and Coosa County leaders, and judges from the region. The tour was led by Tuerk Schlesinger, CEO of AltaPointe Health, a regional behavioral healthcare and psychiatric system that also provides primary medical care through Accordia Health clinics in Bayou La Batre and, now, in Rockford.

“I came to learn and see what we can do to replicate this model,” Ivey said to attendees.

Accordia Health is recognized by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration as a federally qualified health center, meaning that it is a safety-net provider of health care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Discounts are offered on services based on a sliding fee scale depending on household size and income.

Medical services offered at the clinic include treatment for allergic reactions, flu, fever, and sinus infections; management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, and asthma; family planning; annual check-ups; and medical screenings and lab testing.

Schlesinger told the governor that with the addition of Accordia Health to its services, AltaPointe can address patients’ physical as well as their mental health needs.

“It’s an integrated care model, where you have primary healthcare and mental healthcare at the same location,” he said. “When someone comes to the clinic, they take a screening test to detect problems they might be having related to their mental health. We send a social worker in at the end of each visit to do the discharge, at which he or she can touch on these problems and perhaps suggest a referral.”

AltaPointe provides care to more than 34,000 people per year in Baldwin, Mobile, Clay, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega, and Washington counties. It operates two psychiatric hospitals in the Mobile Bay area.    

Accordia Health is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. People can call 256-377-8008 or toll-free at 833-921-1810. Phone lines are answered 24/7 by a healthcare professional. Translation services are available.

As a federally qualified health center, the Accordia Health clinic receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itselfand its covered individuals.

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Macmillan Learning Announces Leadership Changes


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Ken has done a great job leading Macmillan Learning, especially in this quickly evolving market. He is a driven leader, a constant learner and an unrelenting supporter of education.

Macmillan Learning today announced the resignation of CEO Ken Michaels. Mr. Michaels was appointed Chief Executive to Macmillan Learning in April 2015, following his tenure as Chief Operating Officer for Macmillan’s global education unit. After Mr. Michaels’ appointment, Macmillan Learning has enjoyed a period of solid growth and innovation.

Following Mr. Michaels’ departure, Macmillan Learning General Manager Susan Winslow will lead the company with the group’s senior leadership team. They will report to Macmillan CEO John Sargent.

Mr. Sargent commented, “Ken has done a great job leading Macmillan Learning, especially in this quickly evolving market. He is a driven leader, a constant learner and an unrelenting supporter of education. He has modernized the company and put us on stable footing. He leaves with the company taking significant steps forward with a new courseware platform and a fantastic lineup for 2020. I am grateful for all he has done.”

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to lead this team for the past five years,” said Mr. Michaels. “Our mission is to build solutions that ensure each student can reach their fullest potential. Although the industry is changing rapidly, we remain laser-focused on supporting the needs of educators and to creating innovative products using evidence-based research to increase student success.”

He added, “My deepest gratitude goes out to those who work every day to make a difference in education. I believe Macmillan Learning’s brightest and most impactful days are ahead and I look forward to their success.”

Mr. Michaels joined Macmillan in 2013 from Hachette Book Group (HBG), where he was President and COO. Mr. Michaels is a former Chairman of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG). He has more than 30 years of industry-changing accomplishments at the top trade, educational, and scholarly publishing companies, with senior roles at The McGraw Hill Companies and Hachette Book Group.

About Macmillan Learning

Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world’s best authors researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. Visit macmillanlearning.com, see us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or join our Macmillan Community.

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Intelligent.com Announces Best Master’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2020


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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 15 Master’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2020. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 167 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 167 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 15 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master’s in Child Development Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-masters-in-child-development-degree-programs/

2020 Master’s in Child Development Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Capella University

Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Missouri State University

Northcentral University

Southern New Hampshire University

University of La Verne

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of Southern Mississippi

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

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Dr. William Lane Treats Painful, Broken Teeth in Sandwich, MA with Fast and Gentle Tooth Extractions


Dr. William Lane, Oral Surgeon Serving Plymouth, MA and Sandwich, MA

Oral Surgeon, Dr. William Lane, Gently Extracts Broken Teeth in Sandwich, MA

One of the real benefits about working with Dr. Lane is the time and care he takes to explain the procedure you are about to undergo.

Esteemed oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. William Lane of Lane Oral Surgery, is offering gentle tooth extractions in Sandwich, MA as well as Plymouth, MA to rid patients of problem teeth and improve their overall oral health. Decayed, infected or broken teeth can cause severe pain to patients, limit proper function, and even cause systemic health concerns if not treated. To complement tooth extractions, Lane Oral Surgery offers modern dental implants to replace extracted teeth so patients can return to a normal quality of life. With over 35 years of experience practicing as an oral surgeon in the Massachusetts area, Dr. Lane has helped countless patients rid their smiles of infection and restore a complete, healthy smile.

“After my tooth was extracted, Dr. Lane placed an implant in my upper jaw and then placed a temporary tooth that looked remarkable in its own right,” says Allen, a patient of Dr. Lane. “One of the real benefits about working with Dr. Lane is the time and care he takes to explain the procedure you are about to undergo. He is obviously very up to date on not just the procedures, but the current and emerging technology.”

Tooth extractions are common procedures for oral surgeons like Dr. Lane, but still require precision and expertise to ensure that surrounding teeth, bone and gum tissues are not damaged. With timely tooth extractions, patients can alleviate tooth pain caused by broken teeth or severe infection. During the actual tooth extraction, patients receive custom sedation dentistry treatment to help block discomfort and pain as well as to help minimize anxiety. Most patients report only feeling a dull pressure at the site of their tooth extraction, however, Dr. Lane offers oral sedation, nitrous oxide and IV sedation at his cutting-edge office to make each patient as comfortable as possible.

After a tooth has been extracted, Dr. Lane often recommends bone grafting to restore the jawline. Socket preservation bone grafting allows bone material to be placed in the empty socket where the tooth once was. Once the graft heals and integrates with the existing jawbone, patients will have a solid foundation again. This prevents surrounding teeth from shifting and stops bone deterioration from affecting the jaw.

After a tooth extraction, patients have several options to replace their missing tooth. Dr. Lane recommends a dental implant be placed since they mimic the function and appearance of natural, healthy teeth and allow patients to chew, bite, speak and smile with confidence. As an oral surgeon, Dr. Lane offers his expertise for accurate and safe dental implant placement so that patients can enjoy their new smile for a lifetime.

Patients with infected or broken teeth in Sandwich, MA are encouraged to contact Lane Oral Surgery to discuss a tooth extraction. Dr. Lane conveniently offers tooth extractions at both of his offices, located in Sandwich, MA and Plymouth, MA. Appointments can be made at either location by calling 508-746-8700 or visiting http://www.laneoralsurgery.com.

About the Oral Surgeon

Lane Oral Surgery offers oral and maxillofacial surgical care at their offices in Plymouth, MA and Sandwich, MA. Renowned oral surgeon, Dr. William Lane graduated from Harvard University, received his doctorate from Boston University, and completed his residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in a combined program at Boston University and Tufts University. Dr. Lane created the revolutionary SmileOn!™ same day full arch dental implant solution to help patients with missing teeth regain their smile, their confidence, and normal dental function. In addition to his SmileOn! solution, Dr. Lane offers bone grafting, wisdom teeth removal, and full mouth reconstruction. The entire team at Lane Oral Surgery is devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of smiles. To learn more about Dr. Lane, his practice, and the services offered at Lane Oral Surgery, visit http://www.laneoralsurgery.com or call 508-746-8700 to schedule a consultation.

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Trailblazer Michelle Fee of Cruise Planners Honored with Travel Weekly’s Lifetime Achievement Award


Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, at its 17th annual Readers Choice Awards Gala

“I’m honored to be recognized with this incredible award. Cruise Planners has been giving people the gift of entrepreneurship for 25 years. Our Cruise Planners travel advisors are truly making a positive impact in the travel industry and seeing their incredible success is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2019 Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards Gala held at the Conrad New York.

The Lifetime Achievement Award pays tribute to individuals whose efforts have led to extraordinary results within an organization and who have also made significant contributions to the industry as a whole.

“I’m honored to be recognized with this incredible award. Cruise Planners has been giving people the gift of entrepreneurship for 25 years,” says Fee. “Our Cruise Planners travel advisors are truly making a positive impact in the travel industry and seeing their incredible success is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Fee, a 40-year travel industry veteran, founded Cruise Planners in 1994 in Coral Springs, Fla. and reimagined the travel world. She was a co-owner of a traditional storefront travel agency and was a trailblazer well before her time. Her visionary leadership spearheaded Cruise Planners to become the nation’s largest network of home-based travel agents with more than 2,500 travel advisors across all 50 states in the U.S. today. The company has evolved to sell all types of travel from all-inclusive resort vacations, guided land tours and cruises. As an American Express Travel Representative, Cruise Planners sells well over half a billion dollars in travel annually.

Fee is a mover and shaker within her community and beyond. She has been a major player in transforming South Florida into a dynamic marketplace, which brings more than four million cruisers sailing from Port Everglades each year. Cruise Planners hosts large trainings six times a year in Fort Lauderdale for new travel advisors from around the U.S. and also hosts 800 travel advisors and industry representatives annually for specialty training at the company’s annual convention, held recently at the Diplomat Resort Spa in Hollywood, Fla. Cruise Planners corporate office, known as Home Office, employs 135 team members and has consistently been voted “Top Workplaces in South Florida” by the Sun Sentinel with jobs in technology, marketing, sales and business development all within the hospitality industry.

As an award-winning CEO and industry leader, her recognitions include:


  • Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame Honoree
  • EY Entrepreneur of the Year® for Hospitality and Leisure
  • Florida Trend’s Florida 500 Most Influential Business Executive in Hospitality
  • South Florida Business Journal’s 250 Power Leaders
  • South Florida Business & Wealth’s Distinguished CEO Apogee Award Winner
  • Godmother of AmaWaterways’ AmaSerena
  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Woman of the Year

“Michelle is a true travel agent advocate and inspiration in the travel industry. I love seeing her success being recognized with this honor,” says Vicky Garcia, COO and Fee’s business partner as co-owner. “I’m very proud of my side kick and BFF. I feel incredible to be on this journey with her and to celebrate this moment. We’ve accomplished so much together and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”

The legacy of the recipients of the Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award collectively defines the environment that the travel industry operates in today and provides a model of vision and accomplishment for tomorrow’s leaders. Other notable recipients include:

  • Bob Dickinson, Carnival Cruise Lines
  • Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.&
  • Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our ([media room or Socially Yours page for social media updates and handles. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website.  

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Ovation Hair Teams Up with Toys for Tots this Holiday Season


This truly is the most wonderful time of the year and it is important that we make sure everyone enjoys the holiday season!

D.C. Labs, nationwide provider of the luxurious Ovation Cell Therapy® Hair & Scalp Treatment, kicks off this holiday season encouraging employees, friends and family to join them in support of the local Toys for Tots® Program. The annual toy drive marks the tenth year Ovation Hair has participated in providing corporate donations to the charitable program.

The Ovation Hair team is in the gift-giving spirit by sponsoring their local Marine Toys for Tots program. Starting in November and continuing through to mid-December, Ovation Hair is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to be distributed throughout their community to children less fortunate.

The team behind the scenes at Ovation Hair looks forward to participating in another generous outpouring of toys, books and games. “We look forward to this special toy drive each year during the holiday season,” explains Erika Sherwood, Market Manager. “It’s inspiring to see the level of enthusiasm and generosity increase year after year. Truly everyone at Ovation Hair brings in gifts. We rally together as a team to show our support for those less fortunate.”

To learn more about Ovation Hair go to http://www.ovationhair.com.

About Ovation Hair®

The philosophy of Ovation Hair is to meet clients’ high expectations with quality, nourishing and rejuvenating products that demonstrate proven effectiveness. Ovation Hair has been helping clients achieve healthy hair since 2007. Their flagship product, Ovation Cell Therapy is proven to deliver thicker, stronger, longer hair. Ovation products include high quality ingredients, demonstrated to be safe and effective to create healthy hair. For more information please visit http://www.ovationhair.com.

About Toys for Tots® Foundation

Since 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots® Program has carried out their mission to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The books, toys and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children a message of hope to help these youngsters become responsible, productive citizens and caring members of their community. For more information, visit http://www.toysfortots.org.

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Human Rights Group Criticizes Proposal to Continue African Circumcision Program with Adolescents as Violating Children’s Rights


The human rights group Attorneys for the Rights of the Child (ARC) (http://www.arclaw.org) has today criticized a proposal to continue the so-called voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) program in Africa, though only on boys mostly 15 years of age and older. The proposal was made in draft guidelines released in late November 2019 (https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-COP20-Guidance-Full-Consolidated_Public-2-1.pdf) by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). ARC claims that as applied to youths 15 years of age and older, Section 6.2.5.1 of the guidelines, focusing on VMMC, unconscionably distort medical evidence and violate medical ethics and federal law, not to mention basic economics.

ARC Executive Director J. Steven Svoboda said in a comment ARC co-submitted today to PEPFAR that circumcision is not the most cost-effective way to reduce males’ risk of HIV acquisition. He commented, “The VMMC program has failed in its goal to circumcise Africa despite advertising and other publicity that his misled African youths into thinking circumcision is a safeguard from contracting HIV.” ARC co-submitted its comments with colleagues Antony Lempert, M.D. and Michel Garenne, Ph.D.

At the same time, Svoboda expressed ARC’s appreciation for the guidelines’ recommendation that the VMMC program be discontinued for most African youths 14 years of age and younger.

Svoboda said, “Regarding those 15 years of age and older, the most critical aspects of the guidelines lie in what PEPFAR leaves out. A basic principle of medicine described in the Hippocratic Oath requires that all doctors, ‘Do no harm.’ Medical ethics require doctors to use the most effective, least invasive treatment for any condition. For HIV prevention, this remains condoms.”

Svoboda stated, “The time is right to stop this ill-conceived, Western-centric program. We call on the guidelines to cancel the VMMC program for all ages before further harm occurs and to divert the funds that are thereby saved to programs of proven effectiveness. The law and medical ethics require no less.”

The world HIV crisis is now under control and HIV is considered a chronic illness. Thus the emergency mentality that has in the past driven the VMMC program is no longer needed and indeed, is overridden by paramount ethical and legal principles. Amputating healthy body parts in a misguided attempt to stop it is a massive misdirection of effort, particularly when those body parts are taken from people not providing fully informed consent. VMMC participants were not properly informed that circumcision does not completely protect anybody, but at most reduces the probability of transmission, which is quite different.

Attorneys for the Rights of the Child is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 to protect children from unnecessary medical procedures to which they do not consent. ARC is currently working with the United Nations in response to UN requests for its expertise regarding human rights law.

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The Dentists of Schaumburg Dental Studio Call on the Community to Donate Stockings for Children near Schaumburg, IL


Dr. Jig Patel, Dentist in Schaumburg, IL

Dr. Jig Patel, Schaumburg, IL Dentist, Hosts Toy Drive in Lake County, IL

This toy drive is just one of many events that Schaumburg Dental Studio participates in to serve their community.

Schaumburg Dental Studio is hosting an annual toy drive just in time for the holidays. The respected dentists of Schaumburg Dental Studio invite their community to join them in collecting stockings for children in Lake County, IL. The toy drive will be hosted at a local bowling alley where attendees can donate stockings filled with toys and enjoy bowling, pizza, and a visit from Santa. The compassion that Dr. Jig Patel, Dr. Muizz Merchant, and the staff at Schaumburg Dental Studio have for their patients and their community can be seen in the many ways they actively serve them, from fundraising events to minimally invasive techniques. This highly experienced team offers modern and leading-edge services whenever possible, including laser gum disease treatment, gentle pediatric dentistry, and lasting dental implants.

The toy drive will take place Sunday, December 15, 2019, at Poplar Creek Bowl. The Schaumburg Dental Studio dentists and staff are inviting attendees to donate a gender- and age-specific stocking that is purposely stuffed for a boy or girl between the ages of three and twelve. Attendees can deliver the stockings to Santa himself and take a picture with him. After the stockings are collected, Santa will perform Christmas carols and a raffle will be held. Participants will receive a raffle ticket for every stocking they donate with a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. All stockings donated at this event will be given to the Church of Joy in Waukegan, IL, where they will be distributed to children throughout the Lake County area.

This toy drive is just one of many events that Schaumburg Dental Studio participates in to serve their community. They also host an annual Dentistry from the Heart event where they reserve one day a year to offer completely complimentary services to their community, including cleanings, fillings, and tooth extractions. Plus, they provide the most advanced, and often minimally invasive care to their patients year-round. This includes helping pediatric patients build a stable foundation for their future oral and overall health with customized and gentle dentistry. They also educate patients on the serious effects of oral health concerns, such as tooth decay and gum disease, and treat patients with gentle techniques including laser dentistry.

While gum disease can cause pain, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums, there are other severe effects that gum disease has on the whole body. Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and research shows links between gum disease and other diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. While the causes, symptoms, and overall effects of gum disease are complex, Drs. Patel and Merchant have simplified its treatment through minimally invasive laser dentistry.

With laser dentistry, the dentists of Schaumburg Dental Studio can provide treatment for gum disease and other gum related health concerns, including gingivectomies and gum recontouring. This technology allows a dentist to target only the diseased gum tissue, leaving the healthy tissue unharmed. Because the laser technology is less invasive than traditional treatments, there is usually little bleeding or post-operative discomfort. Patients who choose laser dentistry typically do not require anesthetic and often note faster healing times.

Those with gum disease in Schaumburg, IL are invited to connect with dentists, Drs. Patel and Merchant, for minimally invasive laser dentistry. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.SchaumburgDentalStudio.com or call the office at 847-348-8673. Those interested in donating to the Schaumburg Dental Studio toy drive or attending the event this Sunday can connect with Lizette by emailing lizette@drjig.com.

About the Dentists

Schaumburg Dental Studio is a general and cosmetic dental practice offering personalized dental care to patients in Schaumburg, IL since 2004. With over 30 years of combined experience, Drs. Jig Patel and Muizz Merchant provide cutting-edge care including dental implants, laser gum disease therapy, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry treatments. Dedicated to their patients, this team frequently participates in community charities including the Dentistry from the Heart program each year. A patient-centered office, the entire team at Schaumburg Dental Studio strives to offer leading-edge treatments using the latest technology while also making them affordable for their community. To learn more about Dr. Patel, Dr. Merchant, Schaumburg Dental Studio or the services they offer, visit their website at http://www.SchaumburgDentalStudio.com or call 847-348-8673 to schedule a custom consultation.

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Mohr Partners Hires Sean O’Donnell to Lead its Los Angeles Industrial Brokerage Division


Mohr Partners, Inc. the world’s largest wholly-owned commercial real estate advisory firm exclusively focused on representing tenants, is pleased to announce the addition of industrial veteran Sean O’Donnell as Managing Partner to drive the firms industrial brokerage division throughout greater Los Angeles. O’Donnell will be based in the firms newly expanded offices located in the South Bay sub-market of Los Angeles. Throughout his 29-year commercial real estate career, O’Donnell has consistently been ranked as one of the top industrial brokerage professionals in the South Bay sub-market and Los Angeles Basin having previously been associated with Newmark Knight Frank (previously known as Grubb & Ellis) and most recently at Colliers (formerly The Seeley Company).

“We are committed to significantly expand our industrial brokerage market-share throughout Los Angeles and Sean O’Donnell has the full support of our entire organization to successfully execute our growth strategy” stated Robert Shibuya, Chairman & CEO of Mohr Partners. O’Donnell commented, “I am excited to be joining Mohr Partners during this dynamic growth period and look forward to leveraging their data-driven/ technology enabled platform help my logistics clients make better and faster decisions”.

About Mohr Partners, Inc.:

Mohr Partners, Inc. is a global corporate real estate advisor, providing corporate tenants with an integrated set of portfolio services including strategic planning, business intelligence, lease administration/accounting & FASB ASC 842 compliance, research and site selection, labor analytics, project and construction management, comprehensive demographics analysis, economic incentives negotiations and transaction management. Since 1986, Mohr has been managing real estate portfolios for corporations, and each year completes transactions for its clients in all 50 U.S. states, all provinces of Canada and locations around the world. Mohr seamlessly provides corporate real estate services globally through its strategic alliance partners in Canada, Mexico/Latin America, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

For more information on Mohr, please visit http://www.mohrpartners.com.

For more information contact:

Robert Shibuya

Chairman & CEO

214 907-8094

robert.shibuya@mohrpartners.com

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Evolution Labs Launches Suite360:Mental Health and Suite360:Prevention in Districts and Schools Across Florida to Meet New State Education Mandates


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Conceptualizing the optimal course of action to address this important issue was facilitated by Evolution Labs being proactive in meeting the needs of our students and teachers

Evolution Labs announced today that K-12 schools and districts in Florida will launch its Suite360:Mental Health and Suite360:Prevention programs, developed to help students navigate a range of issues related to Mental health, substance abuse and child trafficking prevention. As of December 1st, 2019, The Florida State Board of Education implemented mandates that require students to receive a minimum of 5 hours of mental health education, annually, for grades six through twelve. The child trafficking and substance abuse prevention mandates span kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Florida schools and districts must provide their students with preventative lessons after recent studies of social media impact on mental health have been released. The state is requiring the submittal of instruction plans, along with completion reports of this instruction. With Evolution Labs’ reporting dashboard, Schools and Districts are able to effortlessly generate reports to provide to the department of education.

Not only do the Suite360 programs exceed the state mandated requirements, they allow for versatility in deployment to fit the needs of students, schools, and districts. “Conceptualizing the optimal course of action to address this important issue was facilitated by Evolution Labs being proactive in meeting the needs of our students and teachers,” said Dr. Mark Malham, Coordinator of Special Projects at Martin County School District.

Some of the Florida districts implementing Suite360 include:

Palm Beach County Schools

Escambia County School District

Volusia County Schools

Martin County School District

Santa Rosa County District schools

“We are thrilled to play an important role in helping Florida districts meet the state mandate,” said Tracy Howe, EVP and Co-Founder of Evolution Labs. “The incredible content in our programs has led us to this point of state-specific customization, and we commend Florida and its Districts for taking this important initiative around mental health, drug prevention and human trafficking awareness.”

“The Evolution Labs team has been instrumental in assisting us in bringing SEL to a new level in the Escambia County School District. The students are engaged in the curriculum because it is relevant to the issues they are facing everyday. We are seeing the Suite 360 curriculum positively impact our students on a daily basis. In addition, to the traditional Suite 360 programs, Evolution Labs has worked with our school district to create a comprehensive mental health curriculum based on the state of Florida mandate. This curriculum is easy to use, engaging to students, informative, and relevant to today’s youth mental health issues. As it is being implemented by the schools we are seeing a positive effect on our students’ mental health. The product also promotes accountability through pre- and post-tests, progress monitoring reports, student assignment report cards, and much more. On top of the curriculum, the customer service, technology support, and affordability of the product makes it, in my opinion, the best product on the market for schools wanting to implement SEL.” – Jeremy C. Tompkins, Coordinator of Student Engagement at Escambia County School District.

Suite360 enables districts and individual K-12 schools to offer a highly immersive content experience that can be tailored to class cohorts. The programs use an array of content features, including short, expert-written content, engaging videos and interactive self-tests. Students complete a required topic/lesson, including a pre- and post-assessment, which measures learning outcomes. Suite360:Mental Health and Suite360:Prevention include grade appropriate content, along with plans to H.E.L.P.™ others and A.C.T.™ for themselves.

About Evolution Labs

Evolution Labs improves student engagement and outcomes through its proprietary suite of tools for K-12 schools and districts, and Colleges and Universities. In K-12, the Company’s Suite360 program delivers Social & Emotional Learning and Restorative Programming to Students, with additional programs for Parents and Staff to better equip them to be the school/district’s ally. The Company’s S360 program helps K-12 Independent Schools drive enrollment and retention. In Higher Ed, the Company’s S360 program drives inquiries, applications, enrollment yield and student wellness/success. The team at Evolution Labs has served the educational sector for over 20 years, working with thousands of schools and engaging millions of students. Learn more at http://www.evpco.com.

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