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E-Lights: An IAJVS Publication for Executive and Professional Leadership
Advocacy & Public Policy Winter 2008 |
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| Greetings! |
| Please enjoy this issue of E-Lights from IAJVS.
IAJVS is a non-profit network of 28 national and international human service agencies throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel. Our member agencies provide a vast array of services that have a direct effect on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year: career management, skills training, rehabilitation programs, health services, and home and community based services.
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Executive Message |
We are proud to present the Winter Issue of E-Lights: An IAJVS Publication for Executive & Professional Leadership. Our topic for this issue, Advocacy and Public Policy, is particularly timely in light of all of the activity in Washington and in our own locales. Advocacy is essential in this rapidly changing environment; the information in this issue will not disappoint. Our thanks to those of you who submitted articles - yet another indication of the great value of sharing that is a hallmark of our network.
Just a few months away, our 2009 Conference will be held in Cincinnati May 17-19. This year's focus will be on the current economic crisis and the rise in unemployment, as well as how the IAJVS network is responding to the increased challenges and opportunities that now exist.
Planning is also underway for the 2009 Train the Trainer initiative, generously sponsored by the Bank of America Foundation. This year's workshop will concentrate on enhancing the skills of the IAJVS network in providing retention and career advancement services for diverse disadvantaged populations.
The program committee is hard at work and our host committee is developing some wonderful opportunities for you to enjoy while you are in the Queen City.
We look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati.
Genie Cohen Peter M. Bloch
Executive Director President
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Public Policiy Practices from Minneapolis JVS Division of Jewish Family and Children's Service |
What is publicly compelling about the IAJVS network? What public policy message does the JVS field want to communicate?
Ethan Roberts, public affairs director representing the Jewish communities of Minnesota and the Dakotas, articulates JVS' message well:
At a time of perhaps the worst economy since the Great Depression and with the ranks of the unemployed and underemployed growing exponentially, the Jewish Vocational Service network is more relevant than ever for improving the lives of all North Americans and demonstrating the Jewish community's concern for all those who are in need. Grounded in our experience as new immigrants seeking refuge from the pogroms and poverty of Europe, the JVS agencies of the United States and Canada kept their doors open long after Ellis Island shuttered its gates. Serving Jews and those from other religions and backgrounds with equal passion, we embody the best universal impulses and traditions within Judaism and the Jewish people: "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:20). Moreover, at a time of shrinking government funds ... we continue to stand ready to demonstrate not just in words, but in deeds that the Jewish community still cares and holds that the dignity which comes with work is not a luxury, but a basic human right bestowed upon us by our creator.
Legislators, acquainted with JVS and Jewish Family and Children's Service, quickly recognize that we don't simply lobby for dollars we want for services, we return human and financial benefits and give back. And in so doing, JVS organizations contribute to positive systemic change. Whether our services focus on: those struggling to recover from unemployment in today's economic crisis; people with disabilities; immigrants; youth; employment initiatives to help the economically disadvantaged transition off of public assistance; employment and training; dislocated workers; career development; programs to help seniors maintain independence; children at risk; or many other populations, JVS organizations consistently demonstrate that public dollars invested in our agencies produce substantial benefit to cost ratios and contribute to community and societal improvement.
The message we send may be clear, but it is extremely difficult to deliver as access to public officials becomes increasingly more precious with more and more organizations vying for public attention. Opportunities to educate are easier to access at the local and state levels than at the federal level. We realize the difficulty in communicating at the federal level each time we submit a federal grant.
In Minneapolis, we are fortunate to have a Jewish community lobbyist, supported by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, to open doors for conversations with legislators.
JVS staff leaders must consistently communicate with legislators and elected public officials. This goes beyond testimony during legislative sessions. It includes keeping legislators updated on the results of programs they promote and bills they author. It also means being personally supportive. No, agencies cannot support candidates in any election, but agency staff can express appreciation and support to candidates on a personal basis as their constituents. The support must be personal. Use one's personal address and identification, not that of the agency.
By working closely with the public affairs director, Jewish Family and Children's service has succeeded repeatedly in obtaining federal funding for its NORC - naturally occurring retirement communities -project. This "earmark" funding was attained because of support from local congressional delegation. The representatives and senators supporting the legislation have been kept abreast with the program's success in allowing seniors to access community resources to remain safely independent in their homes and engaged in the community. Recently, JVS brought a supported employment issue for people with disabilities to the state legislature, again by accessing the Jewish community public affairs director/lobbyist. As a result, a state senator authored a bill changing the definition of a supported employee, which attracted controversy as intended. The gambit worked. In the interest of avoiding public debate, the state rehabilitation department wrote the needed redefinition into its omnibus bill. As a result JVS and 30 other Minnesota agencies benefited. The senator authoring the bill was recognized with a plaque at a JFCS board of directors meeting.
Good communication on public policy is a must for all of our agencies. And, as an IAJVS network we can do even more in reaching elected officials in Washington.
For more information, please contact Larry Greenbaum, JVS Division Director at lgreenbaum@jvsmn.org. |
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Patt Forum Influences Israeli Legislation |
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The Patt Forum was founded in Israel in 2005 at Israel Elwyn's initiative to consolidate the efforts of organizations that operate rehabilitation employment programs in the country. Since then, a number of the legislative initiatives proposed by the Forum have become law, and others are in the process of being considered by Israeli government ministries or the Knesset.
For the past two years, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor has been implementing the Regulations for an Adjusted Minimum Wage for People with Disabilities, enacted to make employment in the competitive job market for people with disabilities economically feasible and more worthwhile for employers. These regulations enable Israelis with disabilities to request a process that determines the level of their productivity at a specific job compared to people without disabilities. Based on the results of the process, an adjusted minimum wage for that job is determined. This does not prevent employers from paying more if they wish.
Patt Forum member organizations were the first to implement these regulations and establish normal employer-employee relations for participants in their supported employment programs. As a result, these employees now receive the same social benefits as other employees in the Israeli labor market, in addition to their salaries.
Application of the adjusted minimum wage regulations and the direct employment of persons with disabilities revealed the need to address the question of people with disabilities who have very low employment capabilities and are unable to enter into employer-employee relations in the open market, yet are interested in working in the community rather than in occupational training centers or protected employment.
As a response to this issue, the Forum initiated the "Law for the Rights of People with Disabilities Who Are in Rehabilitative Employment," which became law in October 2007. This law protects the adjusted wage level of people with disabilities and their other rights. The Forum is overseeing the implementation of this law and distributing relevant information to people with disabilities and employers.
In 2008, there was a significant change in the Israeli National Insurance Law, which encourages recipients of disability payments to enter the job market by instituting a scale for the gradual reduction of disability payments as the employee's income from work increases. Previously, recipients of disability payments who joined the job market would lose their disability payments in totality as soon as they reached a given level of salary, creating a disincentive to working.
The Patt Forum continues to focus on advancing the rights of people with disabilities and working through legislative channels to enact laws that will protect the rights of people with disabilities while enabling them to become an inseparable part of the community and the workplace.
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Policy Efforts to Expand LiLAs Into A Statewide Project |
JVS San Francisco is partnering with Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to develop LifeLong Learning Accounts, or LiLAs, in California. Developed by CAEL, LiLAs are portable, employer-matched savings accounts for workers to use for education and training. San Francisco serves as the sole demonstration site for LiLAs in California, managed by JVS. As a demonstration site, JVS' efforts are helping to prove that LiLAs are beneficial to workers, businesses, communities, and regional economies, producing results that can ultimately help support public policy efforts to make LiLAs a universal benefit.
During our first three-year LiLA Demonstration project, JVS engaged employers in the allied healthcare industry and their workers who do not have educational benefits. The LiLA pilot helped 77 workers to save a collective $52,300, which was matched by over $155,000 in employer and foundation contributions. More than $97,500 went to cover education and training expenses, a majority of the courses within the healthcare sector. Forty-two participants were able to enroll and complete over 100 distinct training programs and courses through the demonstration, with these educational and training opportunities resulting in numerous certifications, licenses and improved skills.
For our second three-year LiLA Demonstration, which began in January 2008, we have expanded our scope to engage public sector employers alongside with allied health employers and are targeting low-wage, minority, and older workers for the program. Employer partners for the second LiLA Demonstration include UCSF Medical Center, On Lok, Telecare and City College of San Francisco, who have committed to providing matching funds and enrollment for 150 of their employees, with 40 percent of clients being 55 years of age or older.
CAEL is leading efforts throughout the nation to support and develop LifeLong Learning Accounts, from federal legislation introduced last session by U.S. Representative Rahm Emmanuel (D-IL) that would allow for the use of tax credits to create LiLAs, to statewide policy efforts in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Maine, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania to launch new demonstrations in targeted industry sectors and create statewide programs.
In California, CAEL and JVS are now moving beyond the pilot phase of the project and are working to bring LiLAs to scale, promoting LiLAs as a statewide asset-development strategy, and using our demonstration project outcomes to help convince employers and legislators how effective LiLAs can be as an additional, affordable employer benefit. With the help of Helen Dowden as a California state policy consultant, JVS and CAEL are engaging key stakeholders and building partnerships with government agencies, public policy advocates, and public employers. With no end in sight to California's ongoing budget crisis, we are working to find creative ways to bring the project to scale throughout the state.
In California, the State Treasurer's Office runs the ScholarShare program, a federally-funded asset-development program that helps adults save money for their children's college education. We are working with California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer to develop policy that could expand ScholarShare to be a vehicle for statewide LiLA development, so employers can match deposits from employees for training funds. While the program is currently designed to build savings for children of employees, it could be modified without additional legislation to cover continued adult education costs for employees, as it has been done in the state of Maine. Another area of exploration is whether current regulations and restrictions can be relaxed to allow state Employment Training Panel funds to be used to cover auxiliary LiLA services including career counseling and ongoing client case management.
We are also exploring LiLA expansion in several key industry sectors, including the public sector and emerging green industry, to provide the project with a focus that will help build support with key constituencies. The emerging green industry has been identified as a key growth sector with strong state-wide support, as evidenced by the passage of historic state legislation AB32 mandating California cut its greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of measures. We will continue to build connections with government agencies and employers within the green industry sector to identify partners and supporters in 2009.
Through our work expanding LiLAs to public employees throughout the state, we will continue to promote LiLAs as a useful and cost-effective tool for public sector employers to support their employees. As there are limited funds for raises and additional benefits due to the poor economy, the public sector might embrace LiLAs as a way to add a new benefit for their employees at a relatively affordable cost.
Through these multiple efforts, JVS and CAEL hope that the LiLA program will become a viable statewide project, helping low-income employees grow assets to be used for continued education, leading to career advancement and increased wages. If you are interested in learning more about JVS' policy efforts on behalf of LiLAs, contact Abby Snay at asnay@jvs.org, or (415) 391-3600. |
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Public Policy at JEVS: Why and How?
Combining Direct Service With Systemic Advocacy |
JEVS Human Services' primary mission as one of the Philadelphia area's largest human service agencies is to provide direct service to individuals, helping them address personal and economic barriers to self-sufficiency. Through job training, vocational rehabilitation, and recovery services, people are able to create better lives for themselves and their families. Efforts to resolve individual challenges, however, are often hindered by broader social and political factors; addressing these factors requires more systemic public policy advocacy.
Non-profit social service agencies characteristically work on behalf of their clients by providing assistance with day-to-day issues and problems. Increasingly, however, they are participating in the public policy process, coupling direct service with attempts to influence the decisions of government officials. Policy advocacy encompasses many activities, including: issue identification and research, public education, testimony before governmental bodies, participation in coalitions, and direct lobbying of government officials. Despite the challenges involved in integrating advocacy with program efforts, there are important reasons for service agencies to advocate, and important contributions they can make to the discussion around public policy and human services.
Why Policy Advocacy?
Non-profit human service organizations have important incentives for working to impact public policy. Government decisions are critical to their ability to effectively serve their communities. Virtually every major human service issue they face is affected by public sector funding and regulatory activity. The need for advocacy is illustrated most recently by the current economic crisis, which has constrained budget resources at every level of government and placed human services programs and their clients at risk of severe financial cutbacks and reductions in service.
In addition, community-based service providers have the unique knowledge and the mission to advocate on behalf of those they serve. Few other institutions understand both the concerns most important to their constituents and the everyday realities of how government programs function and impact those constituents. Their expertise is a valuable resource to policymakers looking for a well-developed analysis of specific issues.
JEVS' Policy Work: Focus, Integration, Impact
JEVS engages in public policy activities in order to speak out for the needs of our clients and for the needs of our organization. Policy efforts involve all levels of the organization, including board members, volunteers, executive staff, program staff, and clients.
To employ our advocacy resources effectively, JEVS has developed a vision and framework for its policy work. Its primary characteristics are focus, integration, and impact.
Focus: JEVS' Board Public Policy Committee provides a vehicle for education, debate, engagement, and action. The Committee works with the Executive Team and Public Policy Director each year to identify two or three priority issues that will have an expansive and long-term impact on our clients and our organization. Presently, these issues include:
- Expanding access, choice, and quality of home and community-based services for people with disabilities.
- Reducing barriers to employment and expanding access to services that will support successful reentry for former offenders.
- Promoting policies that provide opportunities for TANF and low-wage working families to escape poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Integration: JEVS employs advocacy in service to our core mission by tying policy work to the needs and experiences of our programs. Marrying policy and practice allows us to address systemic issues and promote sound policy based on day-to-day experience. Information is a powerful advocacy tool; it can convince policymakers to take action as well as offering them support for their positions. It also provides access to the policymaking arena: JEVS' program and executive staff sit on numerous state and local advisory committees and regularly provide input for government officials on how proposed policy changes will impact human service organizations.
Impact: JEVS often works in partnership with other organizations to enhance our ability to impact the political process. Membership in trade associations and informal advocacy networks provides opportunities to share information and pool essential advocacy resources. In addition coalitions and networks add visibility and a greater voice when competing for policymakers' attention. Examples of JEVS' public policy partnerships include: the Pennsylvania Welfare Coalition, the Pennsylvania Association of Rehab Facilities, and an informal local coalition focusing on former-offender issues.
JEVS also uses its public policy efforts to raise awareness of the issues and enhance the organization's visibility. Last Spring, JEVS collaborated with two other local organizations to present "Closing the Revolving Door", a forum on public policy issues in prisoner reentry. The event provided a unique opportunity for city and state officials, as well as advocates and service providers, to engage in a frank discussion about the issue.
Non-profit human service organizations have enormous potential to affect public policy, and, by doing so, to improve the lives of the people they serve. Public policy advocacy can yield far greater returns for beneficiary communities than direct service alone. Ultimately, the measure of our policy work at JEVS comes from answering the following questions: 1) Has it promoted personal and economic self-sufficiency for our clients? and, 2) Has it improved our ability to help people reach those goals?
In short, did it make hope happen?
For more information, contact Kristen Rananen, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs at rantak@jevs.org. |
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CASIP - Consortium of Agencies Serving Internationally-Trained Persons |
JVS Toronto is currently a lead partner in the Consortium of Agencies Serving Internationally-Trained Persons (CASIP), a Toronto-based consortium that brings together eight employment services agencies operating in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with the aim of improving the coordination and delivery of effective employment programs and services for newcomers to Canada. The Consortium was established in 1999 to strengthen the collective services for immigrant professionals and tradespeople in the GTA. The impetus for establishing CASIP began when the leads of numerous organizations serving newcomers realized that services for internationally trained individuals (ITIs) needed to be delivered collaboratively and without duplication. CASIP's vision is to bring together the expertise of its member agencies, thereby enhancing service delivery to ITIs in the Greater Toronto Area to maximize their employment potential and contribution to Canadian society. CASIP's mandate comprises the following objectives. Work together to:
- Increase employment opportunities for ITIs
- Improve service effectiveness through the sharing of best practices
- Identify gaps in service and develop innovative initiatives
- Coordinate employment services across the Greater Toronto Area, providing seamless service and increased capacity to provide and offer services
- Advocate as direct service providers on issues facing ITIs and the service delivery network within the GTA
- Share information on policy changes and funding opportunities to promote joint action
- Engage the broader network of peer organizations and associations in common action
- Collaborate on and undertake initiatives in order to extend the ability to serve
Over the years, CASIP had provided a forum for discussion regarding ITIs issues, sharing information and building alliances and partnerships to augment services and programs for ITIs. CASIP agencies identify and target successful initiatives that help ITIs address their needs regarding:
- Effective networks and social capital
- Understanding the Canadian workplace culture
- Canadian work experience in their chosen field
- Recognition of their qualifications and experience
- Occupation specific language and communications
Although the eight CASIP members are often engaged in competitive Calls for Proposal, they recognize the value added of working collaboratively to use their combined knowledge and expertise to improve the service delivery model and advocate on behalf of the communities served. JVS Toronto's President & CEO, Karen Goldenberg, says "JVS Toronto sees the value of collaborating as part of CASIP to fully realize the potential of member agencies and to best serve the needs of newcomers seeking employment in the GTA as well as in other Canadian communities. We are proud to be a leader in this exciting initiative." A good example of the way new initiatives have spread via effective CASIP coordination and collaboration is the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Mentoring Partnership, initially delivered by three CASIP member agencies. It has now evolved into a GTA-wide service delivery model benefitting ITIs across the GTA and delivered by a broad network of service delivery partners. CASIP was a key player in the evolution of this model. In addition, funders and politicians are approaching the consortium to consult on new initiatives and policies targeted to improve access to programs and services for new Canadians. In the last year the consortium was instrumental in helping the Provincial Minister of Immigration pass a bill that will improve the access of newcomers to regulated professions. CASIP's ability to leverage the combined expertise and delivery networks of its various member agencies make it an outstanding candidate for targeted and effective use of funding to best serve ITIs in a model that is highly efficient and very supportive of professionally trained newcomers to Canada.
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Advocating Policy Change for Adult Education |
Jerry Rubin, President and CEO of JVS Boston, is a member of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board and in 2008 was asked to chair its committee on Adult Basic Education/ESOL by the Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Suzanne Bump. The Committee drafted and released a report which details three challenges to creating effective adult education for Massachusetts immigrants: resources, service delivery, and program capacity. Despite the Commonwealth's long-standing support of adult basic education (ABE), less than 5 percent of ABE and ESOL resources are available for workplace education. The demand for workplace education far exceeds the available resources to support workplace education service delivery. Much of the state's adult ESOL funding is available only at limited times, and for very limited periods, making it difficult for employers and providers to plan and deliver consistent, persistent, and high quality services that allow students and employees to make adequate learning gains and transition along the educational and career advancement continuum. Creating a dedicated, permanent, predictable and flexible funding resource for workplace education is a critical step recommended by the Committee, and with the Governor's and Secretary's support, the state is currently working on creating such a fund, which draws on current incumbent worker training funding from the unemployment insurance pool, and Department of Education funding. The report also urged the Commonwealth to link adult ESOL services more closely with occupational skills, career pathways, and connections to post-secondary education. State resources should allow for the flexible delivery of a quality education to reflect the realities of the business environment. And, adult education should be paired with case management and career-academic coaching services that workers need to navigate the challenges and opportunities of their careers. This comprehensive approach should be implemented across adult education programs so that all workers benefit. Implementation of these recommendations are also now under way. Finally, the report highlights how high quality delivery of ABE and ESOL, particularly at the workplace, is also limited by provider capacity. While there are capable workplace education organizations, they tend to be geographically concentrated and limited in number. And, there is a serious shortage of trained and experienced workplace instructors. The report urges the Commonwealth to encourage its higher educational institutions to help educate and train more workplace educators and explore investments in on-line and distance learning technology that can extend capacity and accelerate learning for working students. It also urges the Commonwealth to support investments in tools that can increase efficient delivery, such as high-quality workplace curriculum, assessment tools, and educational materials that can be used by multiple providers. For a full copy of the report, go to www.jvs-boston.org. For more information, contact Jerry Rubin, President and CEO, at jrubin@jvs-boston.org. |
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Educating Legislators About JVS and Domestic Violence |
After years of working in state and county government, Adine Forman came to JVS Los Angeles looking to impact public policy in the non-profit arena. After Co-Chairing the Los Angeles County Task Force that dealt with domestic violence and welfare reform in 1996 and 1997, Forman heard time and time again about the need to make domestic violence victims self-sufficient, to provide them with the confidence and fiscal self-sufficiency necessary to leave their batterer. It is an issue that she is particularly interested in and was thrilled to hear that JVS had partnered with Jewish Family Service (JFS) to assist these victims in transitioning back into the workforce. JVS operates a small, successful program at JFS' Domestic Violence Shelter, and understands that it takes a tremendous amount of commitment and funding to provide these victims with the supportive services and child care necessary for them to re-claim their lives. This program, coupled with some recent information about undocumented women and their massive need for employment services served as the backdrop for a piece of legislation. After JVS compiled a policy paper on the bill, Assembly Member Charles Calderon (D-Whittier) agreed to carry the bill, which became AB 502 (Domestic Violence Victims - Pilot Project). Ultimately, the focus became undocumented battered immigrants who were willing to cooperate with law enforcement in the prosecution of their batterer. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides that undocumented immigrants who come forth and cooperate with law enforcement are eligible to apply for a "U" Visa (Interim Relief) and a Work Permit. However, without legal and employment assistance, these women were not leaving the batterer and were trapped in a continual cycle of physical and mental abuse. AB 502 created funding for legal and employment services, and also money to expand the Victim Advocate Program in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. In an era of term limits, this bill gave JVS the vehicle to reach out to the ever growing number of new members of the State Senate and Assembly, introduce them to JVS' mission and its focus on helping all of those in its community, not just the Jewish community. JVS met with legislator after legislator, creating relationships, and discussing its concern over what was then just the beginning of the fiscal crisis. JVS was proud to have the support of the Latino and Democratic caucus solidly behind its bill. The bill passed both Houses, but the state's fiscal crisis was growing. JVS was beginning to see the writing on the wall, and pilot projects requiring state funding were falling by the wayside. Unfortunately, after an uphill battle against constantly shrinking budgets, the Governor did not sign the bill. Nonetheless, it provided a vehicle to educate the legislators about JVS and domestic violence. These legislators now know us and have opened their doors to JVS when issues present themselves. California is in an economic crisis of epic proportions and has an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, the third highest in the United States. Now, more than ever, we must meet with our elected officials and inform them of the need to increase funding for employment and training programs. In addition, the incoming Presidential Administration gives us all much hope that the economy will eventually turn around for the better...hopefully sooner rather than later. We must use this time to continually brainstorm about what sectors will experience growth, what type of education and training our clients need, and to continually research the trends in our global economy. And, maybe, JVS will re-introduce this bill or come up with another one that will get the Governor's signature...when the time is ripe. For more information, contact Adine Forman, Director of Government Affairs & Special Projects, at AForman@JvsLa.org. | |
News From The IAJVS Network |
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JFS Disability Services Director Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Arnie Kover, JFS Disability Services director, is celebrating his 30th anniversary at SHALOM Denver in February. Arnie has worked in the field of rehabilitation administration for over 35 years. He has developed the SHALOM Denver program into one of the largest and most innovative of its kind in the Denver metro area. Five years ago, Arnie reminisced about his 25 years of leadership at SHALOM Denver. Now Arnie talks about new developments from the last five years and shares some of his thoughts from his 30-year tenure:
It has been a privilege for me over the last 30 years to work in concert with the incredible staff and board at JFS, an organization of which I am so proud to be a part. There have been so many accomplishments and areas of growth in the last five years.
· We now provide services to over 300 people with disabilities each year, about a 30 percent increase over 2003.
· We renovated and remodeled the JFS Group Home to make it more comfortable and accessible for the residents - eight adults with developmental disabilities.
· The Jewish Disabilities Network was formed to provide a single-point-of-entry to case management, information and referral, recreational activities, and Jewish cultural and educational opportunities for Jewish individuals with disabilities and provide associated services to their families. The program is a collaboration of Jewish Family Service and SHALOM Denver, Keshet of the Rockies, Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, and Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado.
· We have doubled the services offered to Denver TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) recipients and started offering these services in Jefferson County.
· We nearly doubled our mailing, packaging, and printing services and expanded our automated mailing services.
· Our Community Access Program, which empowers clients to "give back" to the community, has grown immensely.
In addition, I am pleased with our membership in the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services, where I have served on various committees and participated in a national collaborative grant project to provide low income seniors with employment services. A future personal/professional goal for me is to travel to Israel to visit a major Jewish vocational program there. I love working with our fantastic management team at SHALOM Denver and am proud of the progress they have made as leaders in the past several years. I appreciate that SHALOM Denver is recognized in the community as being a leader in the field and for offering top quality services. Overall, I am so proud of what SHALOM Denver and the JFS Group Home provide to people with disabilities warm, nurturing places to live, work, and recreate. Places where people can truly feel loved and appreciated for their individual gifts. And places where they can have friends and staff support they can count on, where their families can rest assured that their son, daughter, brother, or sister will always have the highest quality of services and care.
Thank you to everyone for the roles they played in the successes of the last 30 years!
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FEGS Awarded State Demonstration Projects
to Help Chronically Ill Patients on Medicaid
Get Better Care at Lower Cost
FEGS has been awarded two NY State "regional" demonstration projects. With this new funding, the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) created six regional Chronic Illness Demonstration Projects (CIDP). The intent of these projects is to find solutions that will address the complex health care needs for chronically ill Medicaid beneficiaries. New York State DOH estimates that 75 percent of the state's $46 billion Medicaid budget is spent on 20 percent of its patients, who often have multiple chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and sickle cell anemia.
With these 3-year awards, FEGS will employ case managers who will engage and guide chronically ill individuals to medical care, reduce their Medicaid costs that results from poor coordination, and achieve healthier lifestyles. With hospital partners, FEGS will establish "medical homes" that will be more receptive to serving this population. With the managed care partner, the project is able to track and evaluate the impact of care coordination on health care over the next three years.
FEGS is the primary awardee for the Nassau County regional CIDP and will partner with Value Options, a managed care company, and Nassau University Medical Center, with its network of local health clinics. The project will engage and help 250 people achieve better health care at lower long-term cost to Medicaid.
In a second award for the New York Regional site, FEGS is a subcontractor to the Manhattan/Brooklyn project that has the Institute for Community Living (ICL) as the primary awardee. Other subcontractors include ValueOptions and other providers. This project will engage and help 500 people achieve better health care.
Under the supervision of Dr. Jonas Waizer, F·E·G·S Chief Operating Officer, the awards strengthen the Agency's capacity to deliver services in a new market of providing care coordination to persons with chronic illnesses to improve their health. |
SAVE THE DATE!
2009 IAJVS Annual Conference
May 17-19, 2009
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio |
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IAJVS
Socially Responsible Leadership for the Twenty-First Century
WHAT WE DO: Through our member agencies, individuals seeking to improve their lives gain access to a vast array of services such as career management, skills training, rehabilitation programs, and health services. Each year, the IAJVS family of agencies services more than 400,000 individuals from across the social strata, including persons with disabilities, dislocated workers, people changing careers, recent college graduates, welfare recipients, refugees, older workers and the elderly. Since its founding in 1939, the IAJVS network has assisted over 16 million individuals, from both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.
OUR MISSION: The International Association of Jewish Vocational Services strengthens the capabilities and capacity of its member agencies to increase economic self-sufficiency, foster independence and build a productive work force of its constituent clients.
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Phone: (215) 854-0235
Fax: (215) 854-0212
Production Credits:
Karen Rosen - Executive Assistant
Lucy Klain - National Projects Director
Genie Cohen - Executive Director
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