In the first full year of implementing our Strategic Plan, NHS has made significant strides in meeting or exceeding our immediate business objectives, which positions us well to meet our overall long-term goals. The Education and Autism, Behavioral Health, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Divisions have increased NHS’s competitive advantage by enhancing the quality of services, improving the employment experience, and innovating and diversifying our services.
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NHS has invested time and resources to improve the quality of services for individuals in all our programs through various modalities and best practices. In our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) programs, the expanded use of technology to increase communication with others, especially with family and friends, has been a critical resource for many of our individuals. NHS has introduced numerous assistive technology initiatives that promote independence and increase access to care, promote wellness, improve clinical outcomes, and foster new delivery mechanisms.
Meet Cheyan, a quiet and shy young woman at NHS Allegheny Valley School in Pittsburgh and Carol, Director of Training and Staff Development, who formed a close bond through the use of Communication Technology.
Enhanced quality of service is also a result of the attention and commitment that more than 10,000 experienced and professional employees provide every day to individuals in our care. The NHS and Fresh Start housing and supportive service programs for adults, including our nation's Veterans, were developed to work with individuals with a history of homelessness, chemical dependency, and/or varying degrees of behavioral health issues. The Fresh Start Foundation, an NHS affiliate that provides services to Veterans, opened its new 45-bed emergency housing and case management program for Veterans in Philadelphia this past summer. Programs like these could not be successful without the tenacity and dedication displayed by our employees.
Jodi Savits, Program Director at Fresh Start, is one of our dedicated employees who was awarded with a 2017 Voices Award this past summer by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for her leadership in behavioral health and addictions services. Jodi has been a positive and influential role model for many individuals in her care.
Visit dailylocal.com to learn about Jodi’s personal road to recovery and how she is making a difference in the lives of others who struggle with addiction and mental health challenges.
To improve the treatment experience for individuals we support, the Behavioral Health Division installed a biometric kiosk at our outpatient and integrated care facility in Delaware County, PA in December 2016. The kiosk gathers clinical data, including blood pressure, weight, height, and Body Mass Index from individuals to evaluate general health status at the time of their mental health visit. With this enhanced technology, NHS can instantly collect clinical data in real-time for the physician providing treatment to better assess individuals’ needs. Results have not only enhanced the quality of services provided, but have also increased individuals’ satisfaction.
For our strategic goals to be successful, we must invest time and attention to our most valuable resource, our employees. NHS has implemented different approaches to improve the employee experience and increase retention across the company.
Hosted by the NHS Foundation, more than 700 staff members, individuals in our care, families, board members, contributors, and friends of NHS joined together this past spring to bowl for a great cause and to have fun as one organization. Tournaments were held simultaneously on one day in East Norriton, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg. Proceeds from this organization-wide event support many NHS programs, such as the recent Spring Gala for individuals in our IDD programs and other activities. Everyone had a fantastic time and showed tremendous team spirit throughout the day, as showcased by video and Facebook Live broadcasts. The Foundation and volunteer staff around the company are already busy planning the next bowling tournament, to include more locations, staff, individuals, and friends of NHS.
The NHS Autism Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana provides a continuum of services to individuals with autism to the community in need of additional support and resources. Earlier this year, NHS welcomed more than 200 community members, dignitaries, and stakeholders to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to celebrate a ribbon cutting and building dedication of its NHS Autism Center to Shelley Hendrix.
Shelley has been an advocate for autism since her son, Liam, was diagnosed in 1999. She has shared her personal story with autism and its effects on her family in numerous publications and media outlets around the country, and has served on an advisory panel for the U.S. Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program. Shelley understands first-hand the challenges faced by families who are looking for hope and support. Shelley worked closely with NHS to open the Autism Center this past spring, and continues to collaborate with Education and Autism Services to expand into other areas of Louisiana.
Special Education and Behavioral Connections, an NHS Company, in Michigan provides autism services, family training, and diagnostics for ASD within a supportive, evidence-based, play-focused environment. Our goal is to help children and their families build a solid foundation for a successful future. NHS identified a need this year to open a second location in Flint, MI. This expansion will assist many families who need additional services and support that Special Education and Behavioral Connections can provide.
Over the last 30 years, NHS Parkside Recovery has been committed to caring for those in recovery through innovative programming and by meeting the changing needs of the individuals and the community. In response to the Opioid epidemic in Philadelphia and the increased demand for services, NHS Parkside began to transform how and where they provide service to proactively engage individuals in need. Earlier this year, the Parkside team created a mobile approach to person-centered engagement and treatment – the Mobile Intake and Assessment Unit. This unit is designed to assist individuals throughout the comprehensive, and often complex and overwhelming intake process. The NHS Parkside Mobile Intake and Assessment Unit streamlines this process and provides immediate access to care by meeting individuals wherever they are in the community. By creating immediate access to services and engaging individuals in their environment with consideration for their unique needs, the design of this innovative service aims to reduce readmissions, shorten lengths of stay and decrease treatment failure, yielding reduced overall costs and enhancing treatment outcomes.
Joseph S. Martz, Chief Executive Officer
Derrick Yacovelli, Chief Financial Officer
Leah Pason, Chief Strategy Officer
Jill Garfinkle Weitz, Esq., General Counsel
Brandon Fisher, Corporate Vice President of Quality and Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer
Michael Barton, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Behavioral Health Services
Terrence McNelis, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, IDD Services
Karen Markle, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Education and Autism Services
Michael Ernst, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources
Trish Pisauro, Corporate Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Tom Morgan, Corporate Vice President, Information Technology
Simon Whang, Corporate Controller
Rich Yanoski, Corporate Vice President, Business Development
Malcolm Musgrove, Vice President, Children’s Services
Betty Boyd, Vice President, IDD Services in Eastern/Northeastern PA
Sherri Portnoy, Vice President of Administrative and Professional Services, IDD Services
Rebecca Mann, Vice President of Operations, Education and Autism Services
Suzanne Campbell, Vice President of Administration, Behavioral Health Services
Robert N.C. Nix III, Esquire, Chairman, NHS Human Services, Inc.
President, Pleasant News, Inc.
Joseph S. Martz, President and Chief Executive Officer, NHS Human Services, Inc.
Howard Brownstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Brownstein Corporation
John J. Egan, Jr., Chairman, Egan Associates, LLC
Tami Fratis, Chief Executive Officer, IPR International
Philip E. Hughes, Jr., CPA, Vice Chairman, Keystone Industries
The Honorable M. Joseph Rocks, Chairman Emeritus, NHS Board of Directors
Thomas Saporito, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, RHR International
Diane Sterthous, Venture Capital Advisor, PA Department of Community and Economic Development
David A. Volpe, CFA, Managing Director, Emerald Advisors and Consultants, Inc.
The Honorable Kelly C. Wall, Judge, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
Reginald Wilkes, Vice President, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Michael J. Mitchell, CPA, CPCU, Chairman, NHS Human Services Foundation Board of Directors; Vice Chairman, The Graham Company
Joseph S. Martz, President and Chief Executive Officer, NHS Human Services
The Honorable M. Joseph Rocks, Chairman Emeritus, NHS Board of Directors
Joseph E. Besecker, Founder, Chairman, President and CEO, Emerald Asset Management
Christopher Dunton, Chief Executive Officer, Lintons Managed Services
John G. Frisch, Owner and President, Higher Information Group
Lou Fromm, Vice President and Owner, Fromm Electric Supply
Liz Greco-Rocks, Education Advocate
Christopher M. Harvey, J.D., LL.M, CPA, Managing Member, Harvey Ballard & Bornstein, LLC
Philip E. Hughes, Jr., J.D., CPA, Vice Chairman, Keystone Industries
Kevin B. Kelly, Executive Vice President, Jason Roberts, LLC
John Krol, CFP, Partner, Legacy Advisors, LLC
Jerome Mauro, Managing Director, Wilmington Trust
Ray Pennacchia, Senior Vice President, NovaCare Rehabilitation
Dorothy Pollon, M.B.A., J.D., Special Needs Child Advocate
Brian Propp
Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, Interim Dean and professor, The College of Education and Rehabilitation at SALUS University
Reginald W. Wilkes, Vice President, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
The mission of the NHS Human Services Foundation is to raise awareness and financial support for the children and adults supported by NHS and to provide staff with the tools and resources necessary to better serve and maximize the potential of all individuals in NHS programs.
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This year, the NHS Foundation launched a giving campaign called One Individual at a Time (OIAAT) to increase awareness and support from the next generation of donors, millennials. OIAAT is a social media campaign that brings attention to NHS programs and highlights the wonderful things that are happening around the organization in a different communication format. To learn more about OIAAT, the projects the Foundation supports, and additional giving opportunities, please join the various social media resources below. You can also contact the NHS Foundation at 610-260-4675 or by email at NHSFoundation@nhsonline.org.
Follow OIAAT on social media:
The NHS Foundation recently re-launched the STAR Employee Campaign as another opportunity to celebrate our dedicated staff and to thank them for their continued commitment to NHS and the individuals we support. We are so proud of the many reasons why our employees give.
The STAR Employee Campaign is an employee giving program that recognizes and highlights the time, energy, and passion that our staff members invest into their work every day. Without their dedication, we could not address the needs of the people we serve. Making the decision to support the NHS Human Services Foundation and the programs they help demonstrates our staff’s commitment to ensure that the Foundation keeps to its mission: To better serve and maximize the potential of all individuals in NHS programs.
More than 800 individuals from NHS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) programs in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia celebrated a night of dancing, food, and entertainment at a gala held this past spring. Everyone was dressed to impress in their gowns and tuxedos as they arrived in limousines, party buses, and vans. Attendees walked the red carpet and were greeted by staff members and photographers who acted as paparazzi taking their pictures. Our individuals and staff were excited by a special guest appearance from the one and only, Michael Jackson! Sponsored by the NHS Foundation, the Spring Gala was held to give individuals with IDD the opportunity to formally dress up, dance, and to celebrate with their friends and NHS staff. Everyone had a great time, and will no doubt be reminiscing about this event for a long time!
The NHS Blue Thunder faced off against the NHS White Lightning at the 13th Annual Goals for Giving Hockey benefit this past March to raise money in support of the mission of NHS and the NHS Human Services Foundation. The teams, comprised of hockey enthusiasts and Philadelphia hockey celebrities, “battled” each other on the ice, in a fierce – but friendly – competition at the Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philly. This year, the Foundation raised more than $100,000 to support various NHS programs and events. Debbie, an individual in our IDD program at NHS Woodhaven in Philadelphia, proudly dropped the puck to kick-off the game for her 13th time at the event! Many individuals, staff, and families also came out on a frigid afternoon to cheer on the teams.
The NHS Human Services Foundation distributed more than 150 winter coats last winter to children in our services in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, PA. Our partners, North Penn Mazda VW and Pacifico Marple Ford Lincoln, in conjunction with the Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation, donated the needed coats. The children were delighted and thankful to receive their new warm coats.
Media Coverage:
The NHS Human Services Foundation was “Off to the Races” for the 13th Annual Leading the Way Awards Gala last November in King of Prussia, PA. Lucky number 13 was a success for NHS and the NHS Human Services Foundation, making funds raised that night the highest ever for our programs. Guests were treated to an evening of Triple Crown fun with themes loosely based on The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes. From signature cocktails and flowers, to hats and horses, everyone got the feeling of being in the thick of the action at the track.
The Leading the Way Award, was presented to Dr. Raza Bokhari, Chairman and CEO of Parkway Clinical Laboratories. The Fran Egan Courage Award recipients were two mothers from NHS’s Foster Care Program, Deborah Baran and Mildred Santana-Meija. Following dinner, guests gave generously to our Fund-A-Need live and silent auctions. Some of the funds raised will go towards items such as iPads, lunch for students in our NHS Schools, sensory room items, new mattresses and box springs, and attire for the IDD Gala. The sounds of The Fabulous Greaseband entertained our guests as they danced the remainder of the night.
Thank you to our donors that have contributed to the NHS Human Services Foundation or NHS Allegheny Valley School from July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017.
*NHS Employee... A special thank you to our employees, the largest number of contributors supporting the thousands of individuals and their families in our care!
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