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We are closer today than we have ever been before to a treatment for Barth syndrome. Advancing potential therapies will require significant additional investment, new approaches, new partners and the continuing patience and engagement of our community.

BOSTON (PRWEB)
February 06, 2020

Barth Syndrome Foundation (BSF) announced this week Katherine R. McCurdy, MBA (Kate) will assume the role of Chair of the Board of Directors effective April 1, 2020.

McCurdy succeeds Susan McCormack who has led BSF since 2018. During McCormack’s tenure, BSF has made significant strides in translational research and advocacy, most notably hosting an externally-led Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018. In addition, BSF supported the launch of the first two clinical trials in Barth syndrome. “BSF is actively cultivating opportunities to progress from bench to bedside the research that we made possible over the last two decades,” said McCormack. “Kate is uniquely able to lead BSF in this next phase of our work to advance therapies for Barth syndrome.”

McCurdy adds the chair role for BSF to a long history of distinguished service in the life sciences and nonprofit sectors. As a Barth syndrome parent and a founding member of BSF, McCurdy has been unwavering in her commitment to scientific excellence, having created many of BSF’s science programs, including the Scientific, Medical and Advisory Board (SMAB), the research grant program and the International Scientific and Medical Conference. Furthermore, she has served on the SMAB for nearly 20 years and has been a vital contributor to many interdisciplinary efforts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the Global Rare Disease Registry initiative, the NHLBI’s working group on pediatric cardiomyopathy, and the Collaboration, Education and Test Translation Program (CETT).

2020 marks a pivotal year for BSF as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary and prepares for the 10th biennial International Scientific, Medical and Family conference to be held this summer in Florida. “Kate brings a track record of leadership and forward-looking vision that will aid BSF as we continue to evolve our scientific and therapeutic investment strategy to deliver a ‘new generation’ of life-changing therapies for Barth syndrome,” says Emily Milligan, BSF Executive Director.

McCurdy holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and was formerly an executive at PepsiCo. The background she brings to BSF’s leadership will be paramount as the organization navigates complex challenges to progress gene therapy and other therapeutic approaches: “We are closer today than we have ever been before to a treatment for Barth syndrome. However, advancing potential therapies will require significant additional investment, new approaches, new partners and the continuing patience and engagement of our community. Nonetheless, in just 20 years BSF has achieved what many thought was impossible by advancing the scientific and medical understanding of Barth syndrome. I am honored to continue to help drive this organization’s strategic efforts and am 100% committed to the shared vision to eradicate Barth syndrome.”

About Barth Syndrome Foundation (BSF)

Barth Syndrome Foundation (barthsyndrome.org) is the only global network of families, healthcare providers, and researchers solely driven by the mission to save lives through education, advances in treatment and finding a cure for Barth syndrome. BSF has funded nearly $4.9M USD since 2002 and catalyzed over $21M USD in funding from other agencies to advance global scientific discoveries to end the suffering and loss of life from Barth syndrome. Additionally, BSF provides a lifeline to families and individuals living with Barth syndrome around the world, offering individualized support, educational conferences, a robust patient registry and collaborations with specialist healthcare providers to define standards of care, treatment and rapid diagnosis.

About Barth syndrome

Barth syndrome is a rare, life-threatening, genetic mitochondrial disorder primarily affecting boys. Affected individuals may suffer from heart failure, muscle weakness, and infection (caused by neutropenia). Additional characteristics of the syndrome commonly include growth delay, impaired lipid metabolism, extreme fatigue and cardiolipin deficiency. In some individuals affected by Barth syndrome, the symptoms can be very severe, sometimes resulting in heart transplant, potentially lethal infections, and all too frequently death.

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“Mental Health America envisions a nation where the average American workplace understands the value of addressing mental health at work and implements policies and practices that support employee well-being,” said Paul Gionfriddo, Mental Health America president and CEO.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (PRWEB)
February 06, 2020

Mental Health America (MHA) is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of its new national employer certification program, The Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health.

About 1 in 5 employees will experience a mental health condition each year, but given the right resources, 5 in 5 employees benefit from a supportive and psychologically safe workplace. Employers who value and prioritize mental health can see the positive impact it has on employee retention, engagement, and health care costs. An employer can improve workplace culture, offer generous health insurance and other benefits, and commit to mental health from the top-down to cultivate a worker-friendly, highly productive, and psychologically safe workplace.

The MHA Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is a certification program created by MHA to assess workplaces in five categories: workplace culture; health insurance and benefits; employee perks and programs; legal and ethical compliance; and leadership and community engagement.

The Bell Seal recognizes employer advances in workplace mental health by awarding levels of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. By becoming Bell Seal-certified, an organization sets itself apart as a workplace that values mental health and a mentally healthy work environment for all employees. Any employer – large or small – is encouraged to apply. The Bell Seal application process operates on a rolling basis, so MHA can accept applications year-round. Because all workplaces are different, an employer can aspire to receive recognition at four levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

MHA is pleased to announce the following companies as the first to complete the process and become Bell Seal-certified:

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Beacon Health Options

Platinum

Beacon is a leading behavioral health services company serving the full spectrum of behavioral health needs and specializing in complex, high acuity populations. Beacon has a deep understanding of the broad challenges individuals face and what it takes to help overcome them. Beacon offers proven solutions for a broad client base that includes employers, regional and specialty health plans, and federal, state, and local governments.

EAB

Platinum

EAB is an education firm that partners with colleges, universities, and K-12 schools across North America and abroad to foster student success at every level. EAB is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Birmingham, AL; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; and Richmond, VA.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW)

Platinum

DFW Airport is the world’s fourth busiest airport for flights and welcomes more than 73 million customers every year. As one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world, DFW has flights to 193 domestic and 67 international nonstop destinations. DFW Airport is one of the largest economic drivers for the North Texas Region, directing $37 billion each year into the local economy.

Ashland Chemical Inc.– Columbus, Ohio manufacturing facility

Silver

Ashland is a premier global specialty materials company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. Ashland has approximately 4,700 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – who thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries.

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“Mental Health America envisions a nation where the average American workplace understands the value of addressing mental health at work and implements policies and practices that support employee well-being,” said Paul Gionfriddo, Mental Health America president and CEO. “While employees seek workplaces that are stable, supportive, and less stressful, employers seek workers who are engaged, productive and loyal. Fortunately, by addressing mental health at work, employers can achieve the distinct but complementary goals of both employees and the organization.”

“Behavioral health is all we do at Beacon Health Options. We’re honored to be recognized for living our values and helping our employees live their lives to the fullest.” said Russell C. Petrella, Ph.D., president and CEO of Beacon Health Options. “At Beacon, we have a longstanding dedication to the emotional wellbeing of our employees. In return, we enable our employees to thrive which helps us thrive as an organization.”

Through the Bell Seal certification process, organizations will have opportunities to discuss the relationship between mental health and the following objectives:

●    Attract potential employees and increase retention;

●    Improve employee engagement and productivity;

●    Reduce healthcare costs and lost revenue as a result of poor workplace mental health;

●    Address concerns with presenteeism and absenteeism;

●    Reduce the rate of employee turnover; and

●    Identify gaps and learn about resources to improve support for employees.

As part of the certification process, organizations will receive a comprehensive assessment of its existing workplace policies and practices for each of the five categories. Based on the results, MHA will provide insight into the areas an employer is doing well and guidance for the areas that need improvement.

“EAB is proud to have been platinum certified by MHA as it recognizes our commitment to bolstering the health and wellness of our employees,” said EAB Chief Executive Officer David Felsenthal. “We work hard to create a culture where employees feel safe seeking support for any issue that might impact their ability to bring their full selves to work each day.”

“The Ashland Way calls for each of our solvers around the globe to respect, protect, and advance the people we work with, companies we serve, shareholders who invest in our future, communities we’re a part of, and planet we share,” said Keith Silverman, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Quality and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS). “Our vision is to continue educating about drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness for employees and their families at all Ashland sites.”

“At DFW Airport, we believe taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. We want to remove the stigma associated with emotional health by encouraging our employees and their families to take advantage of the emotional well-being benefits and resources available through our employee assistance program – Safe Landings,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “We are committed to providing a culture that promotes overall health – mental and physical – for employees. Organizations have a responsibility to help support an employee’s total well-being.”

MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. With decades of experience in workplace mental health, MHA recognizes the psychological impact that workplaces can have on their employees. Millions of employees spend a large part of their day, and lifetime, at work, increasing the effect that workplace environments can have on psychological well-being.

To learn more about MHA’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, visit http://www.mhanational.org/bestemployers.

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Mental Health America (MHA) – founded in 1909 – is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at http://www.mhanational.org.

“While we have come a long way, much work still needs to be done. Our grants support model initiatives that help pave new directions for increasing inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace” – Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

Kessler Foundation has awarded over $2.4 million in 2019 in grants to organizations across the U.S. to support initiatives that create or expand job training and employment programs for people with disabilities. Since 2000, the Foundation’s distribution of more than $46.7 million has led to improved job skills and paid employment for thousands of individuals with disabilities.

“On July 26, 2020 it will be 30 years since the ADA was passed addressing discrimination against people with disabilities in education and employment,” said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “While we have come a long way, much work still needs to be done. Our grants support model initiatives that help pave new directions for increasing inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace, examine techniques and procedures, and improve participation rates of people with disabilities in integrated, competitive employment.”

Signature Employment Grants

More than $1.5 million dollars in Signature Employment Grants—the Foundation’s largest grants—have been awarded to launch four initiatives with projects in four states. Signature Grants can range from $100,000 to $500,000 over a two-year period. These awards support pilot initiatives, demonstration projects, or social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to increase employment among people with disabilities. Recently awarded Signature Employment Grants:

• 
  JEVS Human Services (Philadelphia, PA) – $450,000 grant for its Road to Employment program that will create a new mechanism for motivating people with disabilities to pursue employment, connecting them to supports, and reducing public benefits dependence. After the pilot proves the intervention’s effectiveness, JEVS Human Services will scale it across Pennsylvania’s managed care system to maximize its reach.
• New England Business Associates, Inc. (Springfield, MA) – $380,000 grant to support four cohorts of 12 youth with disabilities in attaining Level 1 and Level 2 advanced manufacturing training and OSHA certification through an intensive eight-week instructional program. This will allow the participants to enter the manufacturing field, which has significant openings for entry-level employment, in an entry-level position that offers opportunities for career growth and economic sustainably.
• State of Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (Waterbury, VT) – $450,000 grant to support Social Security Disability beneficiaries, to increase their earnings and transition to better lives. To achieve this goal, the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will implement a combination of interventions, including a modified vocational rehabilitation service package, intensive benefits counseling, and short-term financial support after the cessation of benefits.
• University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH) – $250,000 grant to investigate the experiences of recent college graduates with disabilities as they transitioned into the workplace, including experiences related to career planning, searching for a job, interviewing with potential employers, disability disclosure, salary, onboarding, and accommodations.

“Job opportunities for people with disabilities have never been greater than they are now,” said Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president for grants and communications at Kessler Foundation. “The fact that people with disabilities are not working in significant numbers during a period where the labor market is extraordinarily tight is puzzling and a loss for employers. We still see individuals working at minimum wage jobs that are not self-sustaining, relying on a combination of benefits and low earnings.”

Community Employment Grants

Community Employment Grants advance job training and employment opportunities for New Jersey residents with disabilities. The Foundation has distributed awards totaling $493,500 to 16 programs in 2019. These programs focus on high school youth and adults living with a range of disabilities. Initiatives include job sampling, soft skills training, job coaching, travel training, and developing a guide for traveling independently to work that can be used individually or for organizations teaching clients the rights/rules/responsibilities in using various transportation modes. Community Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 over two years.

Special Initiative Grants

Special Initiative Grants support a variety of efforts in New Jersey to improve the lives of people with disabilities. The Foundation has distributed $125,000 to 11 programs. Initiatives include culinary training for students, cooking and nutrition lessons for female veterans, adaptive horseback riding for people with MS, leadership training for young people with disabilities, equipment and uniforms for Paralympic track and field athletes, and support for a disability-related film festival, to name a few. Special Initiative Grants applications are by invitation only and the awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a period of one year.

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.

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.

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Contact information:

Kessler Foundation

Carolann Murphy, PA

973-324-8382

CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org

Rob Gerth

973-323-3675

RGerth@KesslerFoundation.org

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