Podcasts about choice program

SHOW TOPICExploring AI's Role in Education with Dr. Matt McKinley and Mr. Sean VanScoyocSPECIAL GUESTDr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 Instruction and Mr. Sean VanScoyoc, Director of Information TechnologyDr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School. He earned his bachelor of art's degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council.Mr. Sean VanScoyoc is the Information Technology Director for Seneca Valley School District, a Quad A school district with a host of academic, technical and extracurricular honors and accolades. Mr. VanScoyoc has a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and has more than 25 years of educational technology experience in non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, higher education, and as an expert consultant. He was recognized as a finalist in “Tech & Learning” Magazine's Leader of the Year Award and Seneca Valley School District received a Pennsylvania School Board of Association's Schools of Excellence in Technology Award.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWWhat artificial intelligence and generative AI is and how it's making its way into schools Ongoing professional development related to AI for educatorsGuidelines for use of AI technologies in the school environmentPrivacy and security measures when utilizing AIOpportunities for students to learn about AI and its applications

The post Milwaukee Parental Choice Program appeared first on Wisconsin Family Council.

Jenson “Fig” Newton is the founder of Empigo Academy, a faith-based high school focused on career technical education (CTE) that is opening this fall in Des Moines, Iowa. He expects to launch with 50 students, all of whom will attend tuition-free thanks to Iowa's new universal school choice program. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.  

School choice is under attack in AZ.

With the end of the fall veto session, Illinois' Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program benefiting around 9,600 students will come to a close. Despite families for months lobbying to extend the privately funded program beyond the Dec. 31 sunset, legislators didn't advance any such measure. Republicans were critical of Democrats they say caved to the teachers' unions who opposed the program. But, before adjourning, state Rep. Kevin Olickal, D-Skokie, said he'll continue to fight. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support

As members of each party lay out their priorities with the start of fall veto session at the Illinois statehouse, scores of school kids benefiting from the soon-to-expire Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program were on the scene. But to start the session, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, advanced a measure out of committee to allow statehouse staffers to unionize. “The way this bill is written, there will be no bargaining over calendars and schedules and how the legislature will operate,” Welch told the committee. “And we have a no strike provision.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support

Join us for an eye-opening episode as we sit down with Dr. Kelly Quinn, Deputy Director of the Choice Program at UMBC. Discover the incredible mission and vision of the Choice Program, which has been transforming young lives for over 35 years. From anti-racist, evidence-informed approaches to providing essential services, including mentorship and workforce development, this program is making a significant impact in the lives of at-risk youth.Dive deep into the historical context that shaped the program's evolution and learn about the pivotal theories of change guiding their transformative work. Gain insights into the unique partnership with UMBC, where cutting-edge research informs their intervention model, creating a powerful synergy for positive change.Explore the advocacy initiatives and coalitions that the Choice Program spearheads, both locally and at the state and national levels. From reforming juvenile justice to advocating for crucial legal rights, the program's influence is felt far and wide.Don't miss this inspiring conversation, reminding us all that young lives should not be defined by their worst day, and that by listening and supporting, we can help shape a brighter future.For more information about the Choice Program, visit their website: https://choice.umbc.edu and follow them on social media (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicevoices) and (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Choice-Program-207165152680326). Tune in now for a powerful episode that showcases the transformative potential within us all.

Bishop reviews some of the priorities outline during the first day of fall veto session at the Illinois Statehouse. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bishoponair/support

Bishop reviews some of the priorities outline during the first day of fall veto session at the Illinois Statehouse. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bishoponair/support

The first school choice program in Wisconsin was created more than thirty years ago - and it's been fought over ever since. If you'd rather send your kid to a private school than your local public school, and you have a low income, the state will pay for it. It started out as an experimental pilot program and now pays for more than 50,000 private school students.  A new lawsuit by Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad claims it's unconstitutional because it's depriving public schools of public money. Molly Stentz speaks with Brian Potts, partner at Perkins Coie, about what the lawsuit seeks to do.   Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio school choice program with Greg Lawson. Vote NO in November with Lizzy Marbach.  Ohio's ed choice program has been expanded to historic levels here in the State of Ohio.  Over 100,000 have registered for the program so far this year. To apply for ed choice money for your child, you can make application for this year's school tuition until June 30, 2024. Greg Lawson, Research Fellow at the Buckeye Institute, and a champion of the ed choice program, explains in detail how parents and students benefit from the new school choice program, whether it's public school, private school, charter school, or a combination for each of their students, Ohio's ed choice program is a win-win for everyone. Click here to see Ohio EdChoice program details and the income chart per family and dollar amount for each student.  Part 2  Interview with Lizzy Marbach, former communications director of Ohio Right to Life Lizzie and I discuss the recent August election on Issue 1's defeat. What can we learn from it and what must Christians and pro-life leaders do to defeat the radical abortion ballot issue in November? 1.3 million Ohioans voted for Issue One.  1.7 million Ohioans voted against it. As one analyst said in a recent report, these numbers do not portend a guarantee for the abortion ballot measure. Some Ohioans who voted no in August will also vote no in November. But, because Issue 1 failed, it will be a simple majority vote of 51% for passage. The Ballot Board meets this week and will assign issue numbers to both the abortion ballot issue and to the marijuana legalization issue. It's imperative for Ohioans to come out in big numbers and vote no in November. 

Opinion: Nearly 64,000 students sign up for Arizona's private school choice program. Liv Finne says more states will pass ESA programs as it becomes clear to lawmakers that the public schools are failing to help students recover from the academic learning losses they suffered from the extended COVID school shutdowns. https://tinyurl.com/ycxe5jtn #Opinion #Columns #Commentary #LivFinne #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Students #PublicSchools #SchoolChoice #PrivateSchoolChoiceProgram #Families #Parents #Arizona #WashingtonState #EmpowermentScholarshipAccount #FinancialPower #VancouverWa #ClarkCountyWa #ClarkCountyNews #ClarkCountyToday

Learn more about the EPA's Safer Choice Program, led by Jennie Romer, the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention. This video sets the stage for an exciting exploration of the program's mission, impact, and benefits for house cleaners. In this opening installment, we get to know the Deputy Assitant Administrator—an accomplished lawyer focusing on plastic pollution prevention policies, a background in biology, and a deep-rooted passion for safeguarding the environment. Her diverse experiences, including her time at the Surfrider Foundation and as a dedicated mom, add a personal touch to her expertise. EPA'S SAFER CHOICE PROGRAM CHAPTERS ----------------------- 0:00 - How does your background as a lawyer specializing in plastic pollution prevention policies contribute to your work at the EPA's Safer Choice Program? 0:22 - Have you worked on green marketing claims cases that relate to the products we see in grocery stores? 0:46 - Could you share some insights from your experience and how it adds value to your understanding of the cleaning industry? 0:58 - What exactly is the Safer Choice label, and how does it differentiate cleaning products with safer ingredients? RESOURCES ------------------ Safer Choice Program by the EPA - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice Safer Chemical Ingredient List (SCIL) - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer... FAQ about the Safer Choice Program - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/frequ... RECOMMENDED READING:  Can I Recycle This?: A Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics - https://amzn.to/41Rqhn8 How to Start Your Own House Cleaning Company -  https://amzn.to/3jHk4GL The Ultimate Guide to Move In Move Out Cleaning - https://amzn.to/3zxfN0h *** BOOKS BY CLEANFLUENCER ANGELA BROWN *** How to Start Your Own House Cleaning Company -  https://amzn.to/3jHk4GL The Ultimate Guide to Move In Move Out Cleaning - https://amzn.to/3zxfN0h (When available, we use affiliate links, and as Amazon Associates, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases.) *** RATE THIS PODCAST ***  https://ratethispodcast.com/askahousecleaner  *** TRAINING & CLEANING CERTIFICATION*** https://savvycleaner.com/join *** MOST REQUESTED LIST OF CLEANING STUFF I USE *** https://www.Amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown  SOCIAL MEDIA --------------- *** CONNECT WITH ANGELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA ***  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskAngelaBrown Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/AskAngelaBrown Twitter: https://Twitter.com/AskAngelaBrown Instagram: https://instagram.com/AskAngelaBrown Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/AskAngelaBrown Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AskAngelaBrown TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@askangelabrown Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown URL: https://AngelaBrown.com NEED MORE CLEANING HELP? ------------- *** GOT A QUESTION FOR A SHOW? *** Please email it to Angela[at]AskaHouseCleaner.com Voice Mail: Click on the blue button at https://askahousecleaner.com  *** PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANERS PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalHouseCleaners/ *** VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRBO.Airbnb.Cleaning/ *** LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET MORE CLEANING LEADS *** https://housecleaning360.com SPONSORSHIPS & BRANDS ------------------- Today's #AskaHouseCleaner sponsor is #SavvyCleaner training and certification for house cleaners and maids. (https://savvycleaner.com/join) And your host today is #AngelaBrown - https://g.page/r/CbMI6YFuLU2GEBI/review *** ADVERTISE WITH US ***  We do work with sponsors and brands. If you are interested in working with us and you have a product or service that makes sense for the cleaning industry, here's how to work with us -https://savvycleaner.com/brand-deals *** SAVVY CLEANER BRANDS ***  SAVVY CLEANER - House Cleaner Training and Certification – https://savvycleaner.com/join VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING – Cleaning tips and strategies for your short-term rental  https://TurnoverCleaningTips.com  FUNNY CLEANING SHIRTS – Incentive and thank-you gifts for house cleaners and maids. https://FunnyCleaningShirts.com  HOARDING WORLD - Helping you change your relationship with stuff https://HoardingWorld.com REALTY SUCCESS HUB - Helping you sell your home fast https://realtysuccesshub.com CREDITS -------------------------- Show Produced by: Savvy Cleaner: https://savvycleaner.com Show Host: Angela Brown Show Editors: Kristin Ochsner & PJ Barnes Show Producer: Jenifer V. Holland #EPA #SaferChoiceProgram #CleaningSolutions #GreenCleaning #EcoFriendlyLiving #SustainableCleaning #HealthyHome #PollutionPrevention #EnvironmentalProtection #CleanerLiving #SaferIngredients #HouseCleaners #CleanerCompanies #ResponsibleCleaning #PlanetFriendly #CleanerChoices #GreenLiving #EcoConscious #CleaningIndustry #SustainabilityPractices #PlasticPollutionPrevention #SafeCleaning #CleanerEnvironment

CICOA? “What”, you may ask, “is CICOA”? Stay tuned. When I lived in Marin County in Northern California, I had the honor to be asked and chosen to be on the board of directors for an organization called The Marin Senior Coordinating Council, aka Whistlestop Wheels. During my tenure on the board, I learned a great deal about seniors, senior living and what was at that time called “the silver tsunami” or the upcoming influx of seniors as our population grows older. This episode gives you and me the opportunity to meet Tauhric Brown, president and CEO of CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions. I got to meet Tauhric through accessiBe as his agency has chosen to use our company's products to make its website more inclusive for all. Tauhric will describe for us not only what CICOA does, but he will delve a great deal into some of the issues our aging population faces and how his and other similar Indiana agencies are doing to assist and enhance living for our senior population. You will learn much about the growing crisis concerning seniors in our world. Tauhric will also discuss things we all can do to help promote better and more active lives for seniors including recognizing that even as people age they should not and do not lose value in our workforce. By the way, Tauhric also tells us that he and Cicoa staff receive regular positive feedback about how accessiBe makes for a better website experience for all. I hope you will find this episode informative, inspiring, and relevant to you and everyone you know. About the Guest: Tauhric Brown, president and CEO of CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, uses his strategic vision and experience in the elderly and disability service industry to expand CICOA services and collaborative partnerships to better meet the needs of these vulnerable populations. Before joining CICOA in 2020, Brown served as the chief operating officer for Senior Services, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich., and he formerly held positions as an owner/operator for a multi-carrier wireless retail company and in the U.S. Army. Inspired by his family and upbringing, he made the switch to the nonprofit world to fulfill his dream of improving the lives of others. Brown holds a master's degree in management and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs, Colo. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and watching University of North Carolina basketball. He and his wife, Laura, collectively are the parents of six adult children and have three grandchildren. Ways to connect with Tauhric: Facebook: @CICOAIndiana Instagram:@CICOAIndiana LinkedIn: CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions (20+) Tauhric Brown | Facebook linkedin.com/in/tauhric-brown-8a85765 About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i  capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.     Michael Hingson  01:16 Well, hi, everyone. Welcome to another episode of unstoppable mindset and to day, we get to talk with Tauhric Brown, who is the CEO of CICOA aging. I get it right yet. Aging and in home services. And there's a lot to go over with that and we will get to it. And and tar Tauhric . Tauhric also has a great sense of humor. And he'll yell at me for not necessarily pronouncing his name right. But that's okay. Because it's fair if he does that, but I agree with him. Geez, you can call him anything just not late for dinner me the same way. Right. So welcome to unstoppable mindset.   Tauhric Brown  02:12 Thank you so much, Mike. It's a pleasure to be here with you and your audience.   Michael Hingson  02:17 Well, we're glad you're here. And so now I have to ask right from the outset. The CICOA, what does that mean?   Tauhric Brown  02:27 What a great question. So when we first started, so CICOA actually was it stood for Central Indiana Council on Aging. And as our agency has evolved, and the city or the central Indiana Council on Aging was no longer an item we kept sicko of, because there's some brand equity in that. But we added aging and homes solutions behind CICOA. Yes, sir. It's CICOA. actions is our actual name.   Michael Hingson  03:04 Right? So it's your right the brand, although I'm I'm sure a lot of people won't necessarily remember that. But nevertheless, you get the brand and, and it also gives you a name that people can ask about.   Tauhric Brown  03:23 Absolutely. To talk a little more about our agency, if you don't mind, I'd love to tell the audience a little bit about who we are, how we were founded and what we do.   Michael Hingson  03:35 I'd love to do that. And I'd also love you to spend some time just telling us about you. But let's start with the agency. And we'll go from there.   Tauhric Brown  03:43 Very good. I always like to start with the agency. I'm not a person that oftentimes likes to talk about myself. I get a little embarrassed about that. But we'll talk about me specifically. But our agency is a national or a nonprofit social service organization. And we're based in Indianapolis. We were formed from a piece of legislation that President Lyndon Johnson signed in 1965 called the Older Americans Act. And what the Older Americans Act as it created did is created a framework that every county in the United States would have a planning and service agency that is developing provisioning and even delivering services in the homes of older adults that are designed to keep them living independently for as long as possible. It also provided appropriation to certain emerging needs of older adults things like nutritious meals, meal sites, transportation, face management and some other organizations. We are one of 15 Area Agencies on Aging here in Indiana. There used to be 16 of them. But But several years ago, one of the organizations combined with another area agency on aging. So that's how you get 15 Different agencies, but 16 planning and service areas. We at sicko were founded in 1974. And we'll be turning 50 years of age next January, which is very exciting, a little about what we do. We care for older adults and people with disabilities, again, by providing solutions, answers and services that are designed to keep them living independently. We know that about 90% of our community members want to stay in their own environment as they age, but many of them are uncertain whether their resources will hold up, or whether their health will hold out. And so, you know, our role as a convener and connecting agency is really all about putting those individuals in the best scenarios that will allow them to age in place for as long as possible. When you have the services. I'm sorry, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yes, so some of you know some of those additional services that I maybe didn't mention. Initially, our case management information and referral is one of the the, we call that the front door or accessed to our service areas or our services, senior meals. As I mentioned, transportation other one that I did mention home repairs and mind modifications and caregiver supports. And so we currently are doing those services through funding through our older Americans act, as I mentioned, through the Medicaid aged and disabled waiver program, through several social security block grants, the state funded Choice Program. And of course, our Sequoia foundation is our philanthropic arm that is consistently out trying to find other opportunities for us to better serve our older Hoosiers. We've gotten into some non traditional funding opportunities, though, since my arrival and prior to my arrival. And some of those non traditional funding partnerships exist with health insurance companies, with programs of all inclusive care for the elderly programs, affectionately known as pace. We've got a few hospital based contracts, we're generating revenue with individuals who have the financial means and ability to pay for a quality service. And then we've got a great innovation and data and research department that is creating social enterprise concepts to help us better diversify our revenue and provide more opportunities and solutions for other community based organizations like us.   Michael Hingson  08:24 So you have clearly become well versed and are able to talk about all this, how long have you been involved with the CICOA?   Tauhric Brown  08:37 Yeah, so I began my tenure here as the president and CEO, January 6 of 2020. But I had spent the prior eight years in Michigan working for a senior and disabled service provider called Senior Services. So I've been in the industry and in this space, almost 11 years now, but I've been here it's CICOA. Only a little over three years,   Michael Hingson  09:07 when you talk about it very well, needless to say, and, and I appreciate I appreciate the really in depth description of of what the agency does. I was on the board of an organization when I lived up in the Marin County Area in California called whistle stop, which later changed its name to VIV Alon, and I've never understood why they did that. They did that after I left but they left the brand behind was also the Murrin senior Coordinating Council. whistlestop was an agency that provided among other things, paratransit and so on, but that was a well known name and they just completely abandoned it's I never did figure out why they did that. But hey, whatever. Everyone has their ways to go. Well tell us a little bit more about us. Since I brought it up, starting out and so on, where are you from originally? And all those kinds of things?   Tauhric Brown  10:07 Yes. So originally, I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, when I was around seven years old, so my mom's entire career she spent in big farm. And we shoot, we were living in Atlanta. And she got a call from pharmacy up, John, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And that's what took us from Atlanta, Georgia, to Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the tender age of seven, I was seven, my sister was eight. And what I really looked forward to Mike was every summer, Mama would always send my sister and I back to Atlanta, to spend six, six and a half, seven weeks with our grandmother, who happens that my oldest aunt Eunice was born disabled, so she lived with our grand life. So when people talk to me about they asked me, Tarik, where does your passion for older adults and people with disabilities come from? It started there. But right, I didn't know that's what was happening at that young age. But the lessons learned and the things that, you know, that I got to listen to was just fascinated by the conversations my grandmother would have with her friends and other family members. She ran the family from her recliner mic, let me tell you, she, she would sit there and direct all the aunts and uncles and the cousins and nephews and on what they needed to do and how they needed to do it. So. So I'd like to think that that passion really started in me at a very young age. When I graduated high school, I took a different path than most people do. Most of my peers ended up going straight to college, and, you know, starting their careers, four years or so after that, I went into the United States Army and served on active duty for the initial nine and a half years, or first nine and a half years when I got out of the military, or when I got out of high school. And so you know, I was a young kid, 19 years old, was married and had a son and no marketable skills. And so, you know, I really needed to find a way to provide for my family. And I had all known that, you know, I had several uncles, my grandfather served in the military. So there was that deep history of serving in our Armed Forces that I got from them. So you know, joined the United States Army right out of high school, and then kind of got my college schooling done through online platforms, and things like that throughout that nine and a half years. And so, you know, once I transitioned out of the military, the first job, I'll say the first real job I had was in retail, and I worked in the wireless industry for several years. I owned a Verizon dealership for nine of the 15 years that I was in the wireless retail industry, and had a lot of fun, interacting with consumers selling you know, things. But I got to a point around 2010, where I thought, you know, God probably put me here to do things a little more impactful. And I started looking for perhaps some opportunities that really got to my passion of older adults and people with disabilities. And so that really is what took me from the retail world into the not for profit sector back in 2012. As I said, I moved into my role here at Sokoto a couple of months before. COVID hit us before we went through the global pandemic. And, you know, prior to departing Michigan, you know, I had served in capacities at Senior Services as a business development director, Chief Operating Officer, it was a period of time where I was kind of straddling as interim CEO and COO while the board was looking, you know, for the CEOs replacement. So it was a great time that I spent there, but I have loved being here in Indianapolis, and leading this high functioning organization known as sicko. It has been a true pleasure and honor to serve these individuals that I get to work with every day for the betterment of the consumers that we serve in our communities. I married to my lovely wife, Laura and Laura and I were highschool sweethearts, but we didn't marry right out of high school. So Lauren, I reconnected. It's probably been about 14 years ago now, and have been married now for 12. So we have a blended family. So there's six total adult children, three grandchildren with the most recent one being born last New Year's Eve, so little Emery just turned a little turn one years old, the end of December of last year, and it's just doing really well. So that's a little about me.   Michael Hingson  15:41 Well, you went to the military right out of school. Where did you serve? Was it mainly in the US? Or did they send you to other places to see the world?   Tauhric Brown  15:55 Yeah, I actually did. My first duty station was Stuttgart, Germany. So I was stationed in Germany from 90 to 93. And for those who may recall, that was the period where the first Desert Storm, yeah, conflict kicked off. And so I was in Germany when that happened. And then in 93, I came back to the States, and I was stationed in Maryland, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland for three years. And then in 96, I ended up going to the Middle East, I got to spend a year in Doha, Qatar, when I think that was an interesting role. And it was an interesting environment. And it's because my name is Arabic. They pronounce it their todich. And so they thought I was initially Middle Eastern, when they would hear my name. And so it was a really interesting experience. And I got to meet a lot of great folks. And then I came back stateside for that last year and a half, and I was stationed in Lansing, Michigan, at the Great Lakes recruiting battalion, I was kind of the personnel Sergeant overseeing 52, recruiting stations, again, I got the to have that tough job of assigning new recruiters coming in to our command to the one of the 52 stations. And then also, you know, ensuring that those who were coming off of that recruiting duty getting them successfully back to their next duty station in what we used to call mainstream army, right, because recruiting was one of those roles were the goal of the that that arm is really to drive more, more enrollments, more individuals in the service, but it wasn't permanent. Most recruiters would serve a two to three year run before they would go back into their primary Military Occupational Specialty to do work there.   Michael Hingson  18:03 Well, you served the US Senate, I think nine and a half years in the military, that clearly was different than a lot of people did, or have done. And then you came back and you went off and did other other kinds of things. Do you think that your military experience in your career helped you? And how do you think that has benefited you? And, and and address your attitudes about life going forward?   Tauhric Brown  18:31 Yeah, I would say absolutely. Mike, it has a significant impact on who I am. You know, the first thing that the military put in me was structure and discipline. And then, you know, the next lessons learned that I've carried with me for forever, were the, you know, the way to lead people leading from the front. So the military taught me leadership, but it taught me leadership from the lens of leading from the front, which is to say, I'm never going to ask somebody to do something that I'm not willing to roll my sleeves up and do myself. That has helped me tremendously throughout my career in various positions and roles that I have had. But the military absolutely had a tremendous amount to do with who I am and how I go about my day to day you know, weekly, bi weekly, monthly, etc.   Michael Hingson  19:38 That is pretty cool. It's it's interesting. I come to the same philosophy but from a different point, as I think about it and listening to you and that is that for me, I also don't think I should expect people to do things that I haven't done and I shouldn't expect people to do a job that I'm not willing to do. For me, though, it wasn't the military that that brought that around to my point of view, because I didn't ever get to serve in the military, but rather, for me, it's, I won't know about the other jobs unless I perform them, I'm not going to see other people doing. And so I don't get a lot of that information. And being a curious soul. For me, it's always been, I got to do it, so that I know about it, because I can't talk intelligently to other people about what they're doing, and so on. Unless I understand it, I won't understand it unless I do it personally. And that has led me to the same philosophy that you have. And I am a firm believer in the fact that people should not undertake a job. Or they shouldn't be telling other people about jobs that they haven't experienced in some way themselves, because it's the only way to gain empathy.   Tauhric Brown  20:56 That's right, that's 100%. Correct.   Michael Hingson  21:00 And I think it's just the only way to do it. It's why it makes it really fun when people and I have conversations about blindness and so on, one of the things that I get to say is, well, you know, you talk about it, but you've never tried it. So I understand that most people won't, necessarily, but don't judge what you haven't tried or that you really don't know about. And that, of course, is a challenge and a subject that we all get to deal with. And now of course, we're talking with you about aging, and so on. And aging as we grow in population, but as we grow closer because of communications. And because we have such a big baby boomer era, aging is definitely more of something that's on our mind. So you being in that that whole world. Tell us a little bit more about how you think that the whole concept of aging is kind of changing how our landscape is changing, not only here in the US, but globally. Yeah,   Tauhric Brown  22:09 no, and that's a great question. So I'll start out by throwing a few facts out there that people may not realize, are baby boom generation, right? It's a global phenomenon. And closer to home every single day, 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 years of age. Next year in 2024, every member of the baby boom generation will be at least 60 years old. And by 2030, every member of the baby boom generation, least 65. This is what the industry is known as in what we call as the silver tsunami, which is basically idle wave. Yeah, the tidal wave of older adults. In 2030, there'll be more people in America over the age of 65, than children under the age of 15. And so where does that bring us? Well, it brings us to a point of change, development, strategic thinking has to be done. And so after I had been here a year, I sat down and I wrote out a 20 year vision, a vision of where I saw our organization being able to be 31, December 2041, close of business. And much of much of this design work, Mike really was about things in our control. In other words, it wouldn't be realistic, right to develop such a lofty plan, taking into consideration and focusing only on external factors, because external factors, as we all know, change so often. But what you can do is develop that vision and plan predicated on what's in your control as an organization, what you can modify and maintain inside your walls. And so that 20 year vision really is to envision the COA serving as a model for manage long term services and support, launching research initiatives to give us more data that will help us make more and better business decisions based on what the data is telling us. And then finally, it's about using innovation as a catalyst for success, and I always like to say the future will be about filling voids. In addition to connecting people to resources, the more and met needs we discover and the more services and products we can provide to get at those unmet needs, the more clients we know will gravitate to us and stick to us. Right I remember when I was in retail, I always used to say to my sales teams, don't just sell the phone, sell the the don't just sell the handset, sell the handset, some accessories, and some other items that will help this consumer be sticky to this product and only this product in the world we operate in here at Sekolah. It's the same mindset, right? We know that if we can bring more solutions to the table, that we have a great chance of not only improving quality and quantity of life for the people we serve. But we also know that it makes it makes us a koa a stickier organization for them as a customer, the more items that you can address for a person, the longer they're going to stay with you, they're going to be loyal to you. And that is extremely key in the work that we do.   Michael Hingson  26:17 So what creates loyalty for sekolah? You're you're in a different environment than a profit making company where you're selling physical items as such, but you're still looking for loyalty. What is it that's going to keep people loyal to sekolah? Or to any request or to any agency for that matter?   Tauhric Brown  26:41 I think in the work and the work that we do, Mike, it's really about having a great pulse of the of your satisfaction with the populations you serve. In other words, is that customer service? Top notch Are you doing your best at at making that environment, easy for a customer to navigate the work that we do and the systems that we work in gaining access, sometimes to services or connecting with the right entity is a challenge and a struggle sometimes for boats. And so if you can reduce and eliminate that struggle or challenge, that is a way to make an individual more loyal to your agency. And then in addition to that, it's connecting them, maybe there are things that we don't necessarily offer or provide. But we have a connection, we've got a partner that does do that kind of work. And so it's connecting that individual to the additional collaborative partner that you've got to help them address the need that they that they have. And that needs to be addressed. So I think it really starts with developing and delivering a great customer service experience, one that as that client saying, you know, sekolah really provided a wow, customer experience for me, they've been able to provide me with so many solutions and answers and services that have kept me living in my home for as long as possible. So that's really what it looks like for me when I say how do you make that consumer loyal to you. And then you know, you hope that over time you start to believe or you start to develop more connections from those interactions you have with customers. In other words, we see clients who've had a great experience telling a few of their friends about that experience. And then before long, we've got those folks reaching in and leaning into us for that trusted and dependable guidance, solutions, answers and provisioning of services so that they can remain independently at home as well.   Michael Hingson  29:16 How many people do you serve today? So   Tauhric Brown  29:20 we we are interacting with roughly I'll say on any given year, we probably have contact with about 30,000 Plus community members. And that and that could be a host of different things, Mike, it might be an information and referral call where someone might have needed access to a resource in the community but didn't know where to turn to get access to it. It might be these are consumers that are direct recipients of services that we have provisioned with a a subgrantee partner or it's a service we You provide directly. And so that's how we go about that piece of our agency and business.   Michael Hingson  30:09 You know, it's interesting, listening to you and thinking about all of this, the world's changing, you know, we're getting a lot more technology and medical sciences, doing so much to help people and make people more durable and help people live longer, and so on. What, how are the priorities that are seeing your population changing? I'm sure that it's different now in terms of what people want, or what they're they're doing or capable of doing, than it was 20 and 30 years ago, and that also is going to evolve. So how are the priorities changing?   Tauhric Brown  30:52 Yeah, I think the priorities are, are changing both inside our environment, and outside our environment, right. And I'll start with inside the environment, things are changing inside the environment, where as an organization, we have to teach each other how to do more with less. In other words, what that means is an organization like ours, I mentioned earlier, we have many of our revenue streams are state and federal resources. And so while those state and federal resources, they do increase a little bit year over year, sometimes though, it is not enough to meet that consumer demand. And so we have to teach ourselves how to do more with less building and redundancies into our roles, cross training our staff to be able to handle not just the things that they're used to doing day in and day out. But really getting them to embrace that mindset of we must be able to cross train across functions, so that in the event, someone needs help, we can tap you on the shoulder and say, Hey, we need your help here. So internally, things are changing quite rapidly in that space. And then externally, it really is more about the changing in the systems that we operate in. One great example that I'll talk about is here in Indiana, our Medicaid waiver program is not a two day a managed care program. It is a fee for service model. But Indiana has designed a Medicaid long term services and supports managed care program that we'll implement middle of next year calendar year 2024. And so that that shifts that change from a fee for service model to a managed care model creates significant shifts in how our work will be done, and what our role will be. And so you have to have vision on the external environment, and what's happening there. And as long as your internal environment aligns to those changes and shifts that are externally happening around you, you should be able to be a trusted and continued resource for funders, external stakeholders and consumers that you're serving, as well as keeping your staff thriving and happy in doing the work that they do for the community members. We have a ability to serve day in and day out.   Michael Hingson  33:53 Sure, but briefly, so what is the difference between case management model and a fee for service model? So how, how is all that going to change?   Tauhric Brown  34:04 Yeah, so a fee for service model with a Medicaid waiver program. It generally means this, the state is the overseer of that program. And there aren't necessarily paths in spending for services that the state is is looking at, in a managed care environment for Medicaid. In a managed care model, it is a capitated model. So that means that there will be a cap on the amount of resource that a member can utilize or can have in services each and every month. It also means that the state is shifting the risk from the state State of Indiana, two health insurance or health plans, managed care organizations. And so the managed care organization arm, the org the entities that are at risk for adjusting or more I'll say monitoring and auditing the spend for these members to ensure that members are not receiving more services than what that per member per month monthly allocation is. And so that's really the primary differences in a Medicaid fee for service product and a Medicaid managed care product. Okay, it's about risk shifting. And it's about oversight.   Michael Hingson  35:48 To does that mean that services in one sense might decline or become less because now, less funds will be available to spend, or any given individual?   Tauhric Brown  36:02 So I would say I don't know that I would coin it exactly that way. Mike, I think the way that I would explain that it is with capitation in place, and understanding that, you know, you can't go above that and be reimbursed by a funding source. So in a fee for service model, you can be reimbursed no matter what level of service that you provide, right a managed care environment, you can go over that capitated amount. But understand there aren't additional reimbursements coming into that managed care organization to offset those extra services that are being rendered. So I say that to say, there could be some scenarios where a member or a participant, their service plan exceeds that per member per month rate, they're going to be some of those very high cost high acuity consumers, they're gonna be those very low cost consumers in a managed care environment, what you're really trying to do is making sure that the majority of your Census is within that capitated amount, so that you're not absorbing more financial risks as a as an insurance company. So the best way to answer your question is, could there be services that might be reduced? That's a possibility. But we don't know that to be 100%. Accurate. And then we also know that there could be some scenarios where an individual service plan is much more costly than what that per member per month allocation is.   Michael Hingson  37:59 What do you do in those cases? So what well, what what what does what does somebody do in those cases?   Tauhric Brown  38:08 Yeah, the in that scenario, Mike, the health plan or the managed care organization is at risk, they have to cover that amount. Okay, what has to cover that amount and not expect any additional resources from the state to reimburse those agencies delivering those services in the home.   Michael Hingson  38:30 And what I was really getting at it was was kind of that very thing. So now the insurance industry is going to have to recommend recognize they don't have a blank tech check to just charge whatever they want, which means that they need to be a little bit more responsible, perhaps in terms of figuring out what, what they're going to charge and how that's going to work. So it's making it a little bit more of a maybe responsible or responsive process.   Tauhric Brown  39:02 It absolutely does. And, you know, for me, Mike, what's really been interesting and eye opening for me is I've been through a managed care implementation in Michigan. So when I first came here to Indiana, managed care was not, excuse me manage care in this program. Hadn't been talked about a whole lot. We started hearing about it in December of 2020. And so for me, I like to think I had a little more of a unique perspective into what might be happening or what that design might look like here because of that lived experience in Michigan.   Michael Hingson  39:45 Yeah, experience always helps. No question about that. No question. I want to come back a little bit to something I asked about earlier talking about priorities. The whole system but for seeing years for the aging population? How are their demands and priorities changing? And by that, I mean, I understand that people want to stay in their home as long as possible, and so on. But our people as they're getting older, wanting to, for example, stay in the workforce, do other kinds of active things be contributors, as opposed to just being at home? And how do you help companies, for example, recognize that there really is a lot of value in people who have a lot of experience rather than just always trying to get the young person because you can pay them less, but you then lose all the tribal knowledge, if you will, an experience that a more senior or aging population might bring to what they do.   Tauhric Brown  40:53 Yeah, no, that's a great question. workforce is always near and dear to my heart, particularly with our older adults. And so you know, for me, I, I've been intentional, we at succo have been intentional about developing great relationships with workforce development partners, who are out there kind of working on behalf of individuals, maybe 55. And better to get them back to work. And what I've always said is, listen, our older adults have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience, that we certainly want to continue to be a part of learning and growing with them. Sometimes we've got individuals who are, you know, been through that first career but still have some desire in the pepper to, to really continue to work and we find value in employing them at Sekolah. We have some individuals who have retired and have taken more of a volunteer role with the CICOA as either a community member or a committee member board member, volunteers that are consistently helping with telephone reassurance calls to other older adults to check on them. So from my perspective, I always like to preach, hire older, older adults hire those individuals who have the knowledge, expertise, and that passion still burning within them. Gotta hire those folks and keep them striving and working. Because that institutional knowledge and what they bring to the table, Mike, you can't put a price on. So I encourage other leaders in my space in the nonprofit space and in the for profit sector. So really focus more intentionally on developing some great relationships with workforce development partners, who are seeking to replace older adults that are still out here looking for jobs. I think one of the things that, you know, that I constantly think about in that space is, you know, we we do what we call a community assessment survey of older adults every four years. And on the most recent one that concluded last year, one of the key findings was that older adults, by and large, still feel that they have a ton to contribute in the workforce, but they feel that they're underemployed or unemployed. And so though, that that tells thought leaders like myself and others, we can address that we can make that situation a little bit better by being more intentional, and being having the courage to offer that position to someone who may not be young or someone who might have a ton of experience for those roles that they have an interest in applying for and working in, in our respective agencies.   Michael Hingson  44:15 And again, isn't the number of people who fit into that category going to do nothing but increase because we're helping to keep people healthier, longer, thriving actively longer. And through organizations somewhat at least like AARP, talking consistently about that, although AARP hasn't done a lot it seems to me with disabilities, whether they're disabilities with people who have had them for a long time, or who are seeing their bodies change in one way or another, but nevertheless, in General Medical Sciences working to keep people working and air well Active longer and so on, which means that the number of people who are going to fit into this category is going to grow.   Tauhric Brown  45:06 That's right. That's right. There will be a, I'll say there won't be a shortage of talent, Mike. And US leaders have to do our jobs and have the courage to put those individuals to work, get them back in that workforce, providing and sharing of their times and talents.   Michael Hingson  45:27 How do we do that? How do we get companies, especially with lots of young people to recognize the value that experience brings? Because so often, it seems to me, we tend to forget that we forget that it isn't just about what the innovators at a younger age know. But the experience that more of our aging population, bring the can stabilize and help enhance the organization? How do we get people to understand that?   Tauhric Brown  46:02 Yeah, I think, elevate our voices and continue to do that work. You know, there's, there's this whole that I used to say, education and awareness, and I still use that terminology today, I find the more organizations, the more people hear it, the more it becomes committed to memory. If there's one thing that I've learned through all my travels, it's that the average person has to hear something at least five times before it's committed to memory. And so it's not just to say at once, Mike, but to continue to reinforce that message, utilizing the various communication vehicles that you have at your disposal. It could be email, it could be a video, it could be a phone call, but it's to continue to pepper our communities with knowledge so that they're very aware that there is this population out here that continues to have a lot to give, and that we should really be connecting with those kinds of organizations like AARP or others, that are helping place individuals into the workforce or back into the workforce. And being intentional about that. Right. It's, it's, it's really continue to reinforce the message. But ultimately, Mike, as as leaders, we have to say, I am going to be intentional, my organization is going to be intentional about this particular thing. And so you know, that it's, it may sound simple, it's not an easy task, because it's just it's that consistent reinforcement that oftentimes people forget about,   Michael Hingson  47:55 well, emotionally, we have to change our mindset. You know, we're used to the image of people get older, and they just sit around because they can't do anything. And we've got to change our emotional mindset to recognize that isn't the way it is anymore. And it's been changing right along.   Tauhric Brown  48:15 Well, and I and I started out, you know, when we started this podcast, I said, I used to watch my grandma run the family from her recliner, let let let me say she was doing that at 90. Okay, so this is not, you know, so So to your point, Mike up. Yeah, I mean, people still have that passion and desire. You're talking to someone who watched a 90 year old woman, run the family from her recliner. So it's very true what you say that, that the folks out there do still have a lot to give. But again, I always go back to organizations and leaders have to say we are intentional about this. And not just say it but do it.   Michael Hingson  49:05 Tell me about the the venture studio at Sequoia in terms of how it's dealing with business problems and so on.   Tauhric Brown  49:14 Yeah, I'm not thank you for that question. So our venture studio Oh,   Michael Hingson  49:17 that's just because you gave it to me?   Tauhric Brown  49:23 No, I bet your studio, our venture studio really was created to build scalable revenue generating hitting enterprises. But the way we do this is we have a vice president of innovation, who's walking alongside staff members, we call those staff members enterpreneurs, not entrepreneurs. Intrapreneurs. And what happens is that intrapreneur will approach Jonathan and talk through a concept that they have and that concept we want it to be The aligned to succos mission right, providing those needed answers solutions innovations to older adults in the communities we serve. And so Jonathan walks alongside those staff members and collaborates partners to ideate. prototype and launch these new solutions to better meet the needs of the vulnerable populations we serve. It allows us to leverage that 50 plus years of experience in the elderly and disability services industry with today's vision to design and build the future of home and community based care. And so we're designing these products and services buy in for not typically represented by venture capital initiatives. We have a few companies in our portfolio. The first one that I'll share and talk about is do wet. Do wet is a for profit. SAS company, it is a subscription service as a subscription. Tech spin off that has created a platform for connecting clients with home health care agencies, home care aides and nurses. It provides the fastest way for care coordinators and care managers to identify providers that can take a new care plan. It's the easiest way for providers to grow their business big, because there's some data. There's some business intelligence as part of that platform that a homecare agency might decide, you know, based on the number of referrals in this zip code, we want to expand into that zip code. So they have great opportunity to grow their business. And it's the best way for individual clients to choose who they want to provide care in their homes. In 2021, duet received an aging Achievement Award from us aging, which is the National Trade Association mission that the area agencies on aging across the country belong to. The second venture that we created and launched is called post book. And post book is our newest product that launched November 16, of 2022. And what this says is it's a postcard exchange with writing prompts. And at the end of the years writing, you have a keepsake journal that you can put on your bookshelf for generations to look at family members to see, etc. Post book was created by one of our staff members again, one of those intrapreneurs at the start of COVID. When all the schools shut down and businesses closed, and people were working remotely, one of our leaders, that's Nicola was trying to find something to fill the time of her kids when they were out of school. And so what she had them start doing was she had them start writing postcards to grandma and grandpa in Pennsylvania, grandma and grandpa would then send, you know, write back and send it back to them. And the entrepreneur had an aha moment. What if we created and designed a product where we wrote the prompts, it's a beautiful sunny day outside, write to your pen pal about what what you're feeling today, or how that makes you feel, and send that postcard off. And so post book was born out of that interaction. So just a very cool story of how post books started or how it came to be. And then the Coming Soon, is Twain health. And Twain health will be our second SAS product. And what tween health is, is it's a closed loop referral platform that is really designed to integrate clinical care and social care entities so that you can ensure on discharge from hospital or from physician's office or, you know, rehab facility, that when that individual goes back home, not only are there medically needed clinical services in place, but also those social determinants of health services are in place as well. So we're really excited about this product also.   Michael Hingson  54:33 Are any of these programs, hiring people in the aging population to run coordinate or be involved with them? Are they are they also serving as mechanisms for employing seniors? They are   Tauhric Brown  54:50 serving as mechanisms for employment, but not at this particular point, Mike, so I'll say that as post book is a very new Who company do what has it sits on the outside of sekolah. So it has its own CEO and its own staff, that team is hiring individuals to work. Some of them may be older, older individuals, some may be younger. Post book really is not we don't have specific employees in that entity just yet. We're trying to scale it up a little bit more through some business to business sales opportunities we have before building out our cadre of staff that will be working directly in post book. And then Twain health hasn't even launched yet. It is something that will most likely be legally formed by the end of this month, and ready to launch, I'd say early April. And so again, that the same kind of thing, we really want to have some, some pre sale, I'll say pre pre sales success before launching so that as we begin to hire staff to begin having conversations with potential business to business suitors of this brought up, that we can have squarely in mind, we want to offer these kinds of opportunities to all agents, not just to this population or that population to all ages. But yes, one of our interest is and our older adults, absolutely   Michael Hingson  56:40 any opportunities down the line as you're expanding and progressing to actually explore creating services and mechanisms to truly bring more of the aging population, to into the workforce to to actually create jobs or go out and seek lots of jobs?   Tauhric Brown  57:06 Yeah, I think I think you know, what you're referring to is we're doing quite a bit in that space of creating some stronger communities through effective outreach and things of that nature. I think, you know, you can't I'll start out by saying, you know, we can't access what we don't know, right. So there's a lot of information out there that we're really trying to pull together. And I always love to look at the data. And as I shared with you, Mike, the data indicates that, you know, from from a more recent survey done of our older adult population, that many older adults are, are interested in still working and and you know, being in the workforce. And so I think making yourself available as an organization that really is out there leading the charge, leading from the front, letting individuals know, right, having relationships with senior centers, again, with any kind of organization that is moving down that road of employing older adults, or employing individuals with disabilities, because that's another area that we have an interest in our workforce, just so you're aware, we do have a large percentage of our workforce are considered or our age 55 and above. So that's a great thing to be in the space that we're in and have a workforce that that's got a nice percentage of individuals that I would consider, you know, our older population or older workforce. But but but that, that that's not enough, you have to continue to do that work and continue, as I said, being intentional about wanting to to be in a position to hire our older adults and people with disabilities in our workforce. So I think the things that organizations have really got to start thinking about is is your organ or is your physical location, is it isn't it accessible? Right? Because that that will determine how much interest you garner from those populations. So are you assessable you know, does does the environment meet ADA standards, all those things have to be looked at and checked into before you can really do your level best of re employing or employing people in your organization. It's going to be very difficult to do that kind of work. If a company is not ATA compliant or they're not viewed as accessible by the populations that you're trying to reach. Bruton higher, I think with us having great relationships and faith based communities is a great recruiter recruiting, stream or angle, if you will, to help hire, I'll say our older populations for working. And so we we've gotten great relationships with some wonderful faith based partners, that that help us in that space. I think where we recruit, or where we put our openings has expanded quite a lot. In the last three years, I remember when I first started the the primary place where we would post our jobs would be indeed, and now we've seen that expand to multiple vehicles, right, that do by and large talk to different segments of our populations. So that we are again, able to receive talent across the spectrum, and not just from one source that we might have posted open roles in before.   Michael Hingson  1:01:09 Yeah, and it's, it's an ever expanding world. And, you know, one of the things I was just thinking is that GNP interesting to start offering a service that seniors could fill, the service would be as consultants to help companies determine and how accessible or what they need to do to create more accessibility or inclusive and welcoming environments, that'd be a good thing to do full idea, Mike,   Tauhric Brown  1:01:38 I thought about that, thank you for giving that one to me, I'm writing that one down,   Michael Hingson  1:01:43 it's yours. And it just seems like it would be interesting, you know, to bring people in and create a mechanism. And it could be a way to bring some money to, to pay people but also into the organization to actually consult and get the experts that is the people who deal with it every day to to be able to go in and look at companies if and I would think that we're seeing a growing population of companies who also do care about access and accessibility. There are lots that don't, which is part of what we have to deal with. But I would think that it is a growing population. And if you created an environment and that kind of have a class of people and a kind of a mechanism in the agency to do that, that might be a really exciting thing that could be very visible and very helpful all around.   Tauhric Brown  1:02:37 I agree with you. And that's why I say I love that you said that I wrote that down.   Michael Hingson  1:02:44 Well, we've been doing this a while but there is one more question. Probably the most probing question of the day and you're going to have to answer it. You all like University of North Carolina basketball, and I haven't heard you once say that you live in North Carolina lower lived in North Carolina. So let's get to the meat of that.   Tauhric Brown  1:03:04 So yes, I am a tried and true love my Tar Heel. Yeah. The love started when I was I think I might have been nine or 10 years old. And I was watching a basketball game. And I and I always say the first thing that caught my eye was the baby blue colored uniforms that that was the first thing that caught my eye. But what I really gravitated to was this four corners offense that coach Dean Smith, right. He's the long standing coach of the Tar Heels that he was running back then in the 80s and early 90s. And so I started watching North Carolina then and never stopped. I watched them through the Michael Jordan era, the James worthy era. But after I graduated high school, and right before I left to go to the military, my mother did leave Kalamazoo, Michigan right after, right after high school, and she relocated initially to Greenville, North Carolina. So there was about a two year period a year year and a half period where I did physically live in Greenville, North Carolina with my mom. And then of course when I would come home on leave from overseas, I would always go to North Carolina to see her. So while I'm not from there while I didn't attend that university, I have always loved watching the North Carolina Tar Heels. They're not having a great year this year, but but there's still my team out there you   Michael Hingson  1:04:50 can and should be. I my favorite my favorite North Carolina basketball story is there used to be a TV show on CBS called without a trace, the FBI oriented kind of show and I flew into North Carolina one Thursday night to do a speech the next day. And I got to the hotel and I figure, okay, I'm going to unpack what am I going to do while I unpack and I figure I'll turn on the TV and watch without a trace what the heck. Turn on the TV just before eight o'clock. Eight o'clock comes along and the announcer comes on and says without a trace will not be seen tonight at its regular time because we're going to provide the broadcast of the North Carolina State University of North Carolina basketball game because it was right time getting close to March Madness, right. Yeah. And if you want to see without a trace you can tune in Sunday morning at 2am. Not doing that. But but North Carolina loves its basketball counties. They've got three major teams Duke NC State and UNC. And it is it is so incredible. And to to have done that I saw I watched the game I do have to say I don't even remember who won that game that year. But but it was it was fun and just kind of entertaining had these great expectations and all of a sudden crashing down. It's the basketball game. They love basketball like Kentucky loves football. Yeah, well. It's okay. It's kind of fun. Well, this, Tauhric , this has really been fun. And I really appreciate all the information. We haven't even talked about the fact of you all got introduced to us through accessiBe.   Tauhric Brown  1:06:47 That's right. Yes, we did. Yeah, we didn't get it. We didn't talk about that. No, we did.   Michael Hingson  1:06:53 So you guys are using it. And it's working? Well.   Tauhric Brown  1:06:57 It is working beautifully. Again, it's just another opportunity to be more accessible to individuals that need us, Mike. So you know, when when we first found out or when Dana first talked to me about this, someone, this is a wonderful idea. I love that we're doing this. And we've gotten some really positive feedback. And you know, for us, we always think about so what's next? But right, what's that next? Next thing that we need to be thinking about to further enhance our accessibility to individuals in that digital social world? So but but so far, I've been extremely pleased with our relationship with accessiBe.   Michael Hingson  1:07:46 Well, we were all here to provide whatever support you need. And we appreciate that. Well, I want to thank you, again for being here. If people want to reach out and learn more about sekolah, and maybe reach out to you, and, and so on, how do they do that?   Tauhric Brown  1:08:04 Yep, so I think the best way for individuals to connect with us, they can visit our website, and that is www dot CICOA. C I C O A.org. And they'll be able to access our website there, or they can contact us at our aging and disability resource center. And that number, I'll give the toll free number 1-800-432-2422. And then, if someone has an interest and would love to connect with me directly, they can send me an email that email addresses T Brown T B R O W N@cicoa.org.   Michael Hingson  1:08:53 And CICOA is again is spelled   Tauhric Brown  1:09:01 C i C O A.   Michael Hingson  1:09:04 Perfect. Well, I really appreciate you taking so much time to talk with all of us. I think this has absolutely been educational and it has also been fun. And I've been a great guest and I love it and hopefully one of these days we'll get a chance to be back there and meet you in person. I hope love that Mike, we'll have to do it. And yes, sir. You listening appreciate you listening to us today. Please give us a five star rating wherever you hear our podcast. You're also welcome to go to www dot Michael hingson h i n g s o n.com. That's m i c h a e l h i n g s o n.com/podcast. And hear all of our episodes and wherever you go and listen to us. Please give us a five star rating. We'd appreciate it if you know and Tauhric  is you as well. Anyone knows anyone who ought to be a guest or you think would be a good guest on unstoppable mindset. Please reach out. You can also email me at Michaelhi M I C H A E L H I at accessiBe,  A C C E S S I B E.com. And as Tauhric  would tell you, if you go to accessibe.com, there is a link that you can click on and where you can actually do an audit of your website or any website to see how accessible it is. That's free. So go check it out, see what what it will tell you about how usable your website is by persons with disabilities. Again, Tauhric , one more time, thanks very much for being with us. We really appreciate it. And we'll have to do more of this in the future.   Tauhric Brown  1:10:45 It's my pleasure, and I'm looking forward to it. Thank you so much.   Michael Hingson  1:10:53 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com. accessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

Bishop reviews some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's tour across the state touting higher and K-12 education spending while saying he's looking for changes to the privately funded Invest In Kids school choice scholarship program.

Bishop reviews some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's tour across the state touting higher and K-12 education spending while saying he's looking for changes to the privately funded Invest In Kids school choice scholarship program. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bishoponair/support

We at the Report Card are on break this week, so we are re-upping a conversation from March 2022 that we think is interesting and important.We've talked a lot on the show about school choice. But it's not often we discuss choice between schools in the same district. Started in 2012, Los Angeles's Zones of Choice program creates small local markets with high schools in neighborhoods throughout LA, but leaves traditional attendance-zone boundaries in place. In application, this means that about 30-40% of LAUSD is a Zone of Choice.Here to discuss the success of LA's Zones of Choice program are Christopher Campos and John Deasy.Show Notes:The Impact of Neighborhood School Choice: Evidence from Los Angeles' Zones of Choice Program.

SHOW TOPIC25 Years of the SV Graduation Project: A Review with Dr. Matt McKinleySPECIAL GUESTDr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 InstructionDr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School.Dr. McKinley earned his bachelor of art's degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW•  What the Graduation Project is.•  The history behind the Graduation Project.•  Why the Graduation Project is a requirement for SV seniors.•  How students benefit and the overall goal of the Graduation Project.

Jennie Romer is the deputy assistant administrator for pollution prevention at EPA. David Widawsky is the division director with the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention with the EPA. Together they describe the U.S. EPA's Safer Choice program and what it means to the cleaning industry.

Albert Phillips was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and received primary education in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. He earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Baltimore City Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism from Morgan State University, and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduating from Morgan State in 2013, Albert shifted his primary career passion from writing for numerous local and national publications to the development of inner-city youth. He served various roles working directly with Baltimore City youth while employed by the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Choice Program. In 2015, he earned a state and national award for exemplary community service throughout Baltimore City. In 2016, Albert transitioned into education to work within the same school system that taught him. He worked as a paraprofessional, teacher, and administrator in Baltimore City Public Schools for about four years. Currently, Albert works as a Work-Based Learning Specialist with Baltimore City Public Schools, helping students gain access to work-based learning opportunities including career exploration, professional development, and career preparation. Albert is also founder and CEO of Free Black Mind Educational Group, a social enterprise startup that provides digital and print resources designed to empower and educate Black youth. His first self-published book, Y'all Hiring? The Black Teen's Guide to Navigating Employment was released in October 2020. Albert is a man of the people and is devoted to helping to drastically change the lives of youth living in communities devastated by racism and white supremacy. Albert Phillip Jr's Website- Albert Phillips Jr. MasterMine Website- https://mastermine.podcastpage.io MRG.MasterMine on Instagram YouTube- MasterMine Podcast - YouTube --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mastermine-mrg/message

  This episode is sponsored by my new book "My Dads Advice At 5:04 AM," and you can get it here or here.   Welcome to another episode of the podcast "Blending The Family."  Mike Thompson and I go way back, and I am honored to be on his show. https://youtu.be/pzFBIuGu1tc https://www.youtube.com/@thefathershowwithmikethomp9331 www.thefathershowwithmikethompson.com Mike Thompson hosts The Father Show, a half-hour talk show focusing on, but not limited to, men's issues. He is CEO/Founder of The Father Show Resource Program (TFSRP) launched in November 2004, providing resources to help men be better fathers and men overall. He is an outstanding speaker who covers motivational/inspirational topics on fatherhood, leadership, parenting, and more.  He conducts a K-12th grade school program called the Choice Program where he mentors, motivates and inspires young men to make better choices as they go through life. He has had articles written about him and The Father's Show Resource Program in The Body of Christ, Denver Post, Denver Weekly, and the Urban Spectrum. He has won awards for his community service.   He is an actor, model, singer, public speaker, mentor, activist, father, and grandfather.   He has a wide range of interests, such as Music, Golf, Jet Skiing, Snowmobiling, Art, Cooking, and Wine.   Please subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFhju6cCeHC9xphoWbN3frA   Tommy Maloney is the Executive producer and host of the podcast Blending The Family, where you can find Apple Podcasts, Iheart Radio, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio.    Tommy has spoken at TEDx, Ignite Fort Collins, and was a Keynote Speaker at Everything Dad Convention. He even has won speaking awards through Toastmasters International.    The author of the book "25 Tips For Divorced Dads." "Why not you, Why Not Me" and His new book, "My Dad's Advice At 5:04 AM,". He has written for magazines: The Good Men Project, Modern Gladiator, and Nurture Magazine. Plus, he has been a guest writer. Tommy enjoys a good red blend while writing or hiding from the family. A dad to Betsy, Becca, Connor, and Duke (RIP), Otis. A husband to Ann.  Anyone considering suicide should contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or chat with someone live on its Website. Podcast music by Twisterium / freebackgroundtracks.net Contact him at  Tommy@BlendingTheFamily.com   TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/azG2K47iz4Q   YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFhju6cCeHC9xphoWbN3frA    Blog: http://blendingthefamily.com/blog/    Podcast: http://blendingthefamily.libsyn.com/    Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tommy-maloney/id958223196?mt=2    Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tommy-maloney/blending-the-family    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetommymaloney    The Good Men Project: https://goodmenproject.com/author/tommy-maloney/   Medium: https://medium.com/@thetommymaloney   Calendly: calendly.com/thomasdmaloneyjr    

This episode is a special segment recorded at the Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College. In this segment, we featured two standout guests representing the FloridaMakes network. FloridaMakes focuses on results for small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. Their services are designed to help further the goals for profitability and productivity for these businesses. Depending on the needs and goals of the organization, which can include helping solve a specific manufacturing problem, increasing productivity, adopting best practices, determining how core capabilities might be used to enter a new market, or enhancing processes through appropriate advanced technology or training. Both Marcelo and Susan work in the Talent Development division which means that part of their job is to find solutions for workforce and talent problems facing manufacturers on the Treasure Coast and all throughout Florida. On this episode host Tom Kindred discusses the Employer of Choice program with Marcelo and Susan. As an employer you need to promote your organization as a desirable place to work – after all, recruiting and retaining talent is essential for growing your organization! The Manufacturing Employer of Choice program is conducted by a third-party consulting firm via a "no-cost” 40 question survey to determine how your company ranks among peer groups within the industry, in providing the elements necessary to be a great place to work. The survey instrument is completed by your company's Human Resources Department or Management Team that handles talent recruitment & selection, compensation & benefits and training & development functions. All participating manufacturers will receive a valuable benchmarking analytics report based on survey results. This year's winners will be recognized at the 2022 statewide MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on October 13 taking place in The GuideWell Innovation Center in Orlando. Become a part of this program and reap the benefits. It only takes 25-30 minutes of your time to apply! Apply Here: https://www.floridamakes.com/service-offerings/workforce-development/eoc     

In this episode, Josh and Lindsey welcome Brittany & Chelsea from the Family Choice Program at The Arc of Ohio. They discuss how the program helps families who are in need of Homemaker Personal Care or Ohio Shared Living.

We've talked a lot on the show about school choice. But it's not often we discuss intra-district choice - choice between schools in the same district. Starting in 2012, Los Angeles' Zones of Choice program creates small local markets with High Schools in neighborhoods throuhgout LA, but leaves traditional attendance-zone boundaries in place. In application, this means that about 30-40% of LAUSD is a Zone of Choice. Here to discuss the success of LA's Zones of Choice program is http://www.cqcampos.com/ (Christopher Campos) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Deasy_(educator)#:~:text=John%20Edward%20Deasy%20(%2F%CB%88d,2018%20to%20June%2015%2C%202020. (John Deasy). Shownotes: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3830628 (The Impact of Neighborhood School Choice: Evidence from Los Angeles' Zones of Choice Program.)

About the guestAlbert Phillips was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and received primary education in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. He earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Baltimore City Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism from Morgan State University, and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduating from Morgan State in 2013, Albert shifted his primary career passion from writing for numerous local and national publications to the development of inner-city youth. He served various roles working directly with Baltimore City youth while employed by the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Choice Program. In 2015, he earned a state and national award for exemplary community service throughout Baltimore City.In 2016, Albert transitioned into education to work within the same school system that taught him. He worked as a paraprofessional, teacher, and administrator in Baltimore City Public Schools for about four years. Currently, Albert works as a Work-Based Learning Specialist with Baltimore City Public Schools, helping students gain access to work-based learning opportunities including career exploration, professional development, and career preparation. Albert is also founder and CEO of Free Black Mind Educational Group, a social enterprise startup that provides digital and print resources designed to empower and educate Black youth. His first self-published book, Y'all Hiring? The Black Teen's Guide to Navigating Employment was released in October 2020. Albert is a man of the people and is devoted to helping to drastically change the lives of youth living in communities devastated by racism and white supremacy.The Truth In This ArtThe Truth In This Art is a podcast interview series supporting vibrancy and development of Baltimore & beyond's arts and culture.Mentioned in this episode:Y'all Hiring? The Black Teen's Guide to Navigating Employment To find more amazing stories from the artist and entrepreneurial scenes in & around Baltimore, check out my episode directory.Stay in TouchNewsletter sign-upSupport my podcastShareable link to episode★ Support this podcast ★

In today's episode, Matthew and Staci blast away at myths about Boca Raton. Have you thought it was all older people going to the early bird dinner at the deli near Del Boca Vista? Well it's not. We have all age groups going to the deli at all hours!    From Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to Lynn University to Palm Beach State, we have a huge population of college students, a diverse community of professors and professionals.    In fact, we have our own football stadium at FAU and it's often more fun than a professional football game and you can be from your house to your stadium seat in 15 minutes!   Also, lots of people ask about the public schools: Are they good? Which is the best? Should private school be the choice play? Guess what? All schools in Boca Raton are highly rated from elementary to middle to high school. Plus you can sign up for the Choice Program and attend a magnet school. We have free private charter schools as well.    And what's with the mosquitoes? Well they aren't usually hunting you down for your blood except maybe if it has recently rained or if you go outside at dusk also known as “mosquito hour.” It's easy to avoid being their lunch if you know when not to go outside. And the options for remote control automatic drop down screens is absolutely awesome.    Oh hey! We have an amazing new listing in Boca Pointe if you're looking to be in the center of Boca! No mandatory membership requirement. We would love to show it to you.    Did we miss anything you wonder about or have always heard about regarding Boca Raton? Let us know! And if you have a topic for us, shoot us an email, tweet, instagram or Facebook us! 

The WGNS in-studio guest on Rutherford Issues was Kelly Chastain, Coordinator of the Rutherford County School "Choice Program."  

Albert Phillips Writer. Educator. Youth Advocate. Albert Phillips was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and received primary education in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. He earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Baltimore City Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism from Morgan State University, and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduating from Morgan State in 2013, Albert shifted his primary career passion from writing for numerous local and national publications to the development of inner-city youth. He served various roles working directly with Baltimore City youth while employed by the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Choice Program. In 2015, he earned a state and national award for exemplary community service throughout Baltimore City. Albert is also founder and CEO of Free Black Mind Educational Group, a social enterprise startup that provides digital and print resources designed to empower and educate Black youth. His first self-published book, Y'all Hiring? The Black Teen's Guide to Navigating Employment was released in October 2020. Checkout his Book https://www.amazon.com/Yall-Hiring-Black-Navigating-Employment/dp/1735324701 and check out his socials https://www.instagram.com/theambitiousblackguy/ @Creativehabitspodcast on all socials --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/creative-habits/message

Introducing The JC Cooley Foundation: OPTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES/THE CHOICE PROGRAM The mission, core values, and principles of the Foundation The different programs the Foundation is involved in The goals of the Foundation. James Cooley, a devout Christian, and a retired Navy Officer was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is the Host of The James Cooley Show…IT'S YOUR LIFE. He is the author of “Country Boy, City Boy, A Journey, That Ain't Over Yet” (2020) & Audiobook narrated by James Cooley (2021), The Book of Knowledge: “Your Pathway to Enlightenment (2015), My Path (2014). James is the President & CEO of JC Cooley Innovation Solutions, LLC, and The JC Cooley Foundation Options & Opportunities / The Choice Program. James was presented with the 1992 Senior Enlisted Admirals Gallery and Renken Award of Merit for the development of a Breakfast Tutoring Program for academically at-risk students. He also qualified and re-qualified over 1,000 military and civilian personnel in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as well as hosting 47 television shows titled “Cooley's Fitness Tips”. James was selected as one of the first George H. Bush's One-Thousand Points of Light recipients for outstanding community service. He resides in Temecula, California and Fort Worth, Texas with his wife of almost 14 years Michelle. More information here : http://cooleyfoundation.org/ James' book: https://amzn.to/3jZAzyr Brought to you by J.C. Cooley Foundation "Equipping the Youth of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow". Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The University of Arizona's Medical Students for Choice program works to spread awareness of reproductive health issues and to ensure that women receive the full range of reproductive health care choices by organizing, advocating, training and supplementing our medical school curricula. This episode is an engaging conversation with MSCF participants Jeenal Shah and Mathili Khandekar. TALKING POINTS (list bullet points): Short intro of guests by Ethan Jeenal Shah Jeenal was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona in a family of immigrants from India. For her undergraduate education, she went to West Chester University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a minor in chemistry. Currently, she is a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. When she started at the U of A in 2019, Medical students for choice was one of the first clubs she joined.    Jeenal's interests in medical school have been surrounded by helping underserved populations, from working closely with the Tucson migrant population to helping low-risk juvenile detainees at the Pima County Jail. Her desire to advocate for women's health and reproductive justice stems from the women in her family who worked hard to allow her to be in this position, obtaining an education and medical degree.    Mathili Khandekar Maithili is a second-year medical student here at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson campus and is currently one of the directors of the Medical Students for Choice club on campus. She was originally born in India but has grown up in Phoenix, Arizona since she was 5 years old. She graduated from the University of Arizona Honors College in May 2020 with a degree in Physiology and double minors in business administration and molecular biology. In her free time, she loves to dance, read, travel and explore new places, and go hiking. She is very passionate about improving health education amongst the community and hopes to continue this throughout her medical journey as a physician. Welcome to you both.   Q & A: Mathili, can you start out by telling our listeners a little bit about the Medical Students for Choice Program? Q & A: Jeenal, I know this is an international organization with a chapter here at the University of Arizona, one of more than 220 around the world? How does that help MSFC fulfill their mission, having that larger network? Q & A: Mathili, why was it important for you to be a part of this work? I've got to imagine going to medical school is a full-time job, in and of itself? Why prioritize this? Q & A: Jeenal, same question for you. Why is this so important to you? Q & A: Mathili, one of the benefits is being able to observe clinical abortions in-person. My guess is that Covid has compromised this. How have you worked around this obstacle? Q & A: Jeenal, there is a worldwide shortage of abortion providers. Do you think this is work that you will incorporate into your practice after graduation? Thank you so much Jeenal and Mathili. This was definitely my privilege to have this time with you all.  And, thanks to all of you for listening and the privilege of your time. We'll be back soon for another great conversation. Look forward to connecting with you then.  

Mark K. Shriver talks about his children's book - 10 Hidden Heroes: A Counting Book With a Message. This is episode 418 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Mark K. Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C., created the Choice Program and is a former Maryland state legislator. He is the author of Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis and the New York Times bestselling memoir, A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, which received a 2013 Christopher Award. Shriver lives with his wife, Jeanne, and their three children, Molly, Tommy, and Emma, in Maryland.  Today we are focused on his book 10 Hidden Heroes: A Counting Book with a Message. So much to learn. Thanks for listening! Enjoy! But wait... Remember that Lynn at Connect Flow Grow is ready to help you deal with stress. She has new two new exciting classes: (Click on the links below to learn about each class.) Stress Less Society and Stress Less Family! Through these classes, Lynn will help you or your family learn how stress affects your lives and healthy ways that you can combat it. Don't wait. Go deal with that stress and get on with your life!   Could you do me a favor? Please go to my website at https://www.stevenmiletto.com/reviews/ or open the podcast app that you are listening to me on and would you rate and review the podcast? That would be Awesome. Thanks!   Have you been wanting to tell your story on podcasts? Podcasts are a great way to grow your personal and business brand. Kitcaster specializes in developing real human connections through podcast appearances. If you are an expert in your field, have a unique story to share, or an interesting point of view-- it's time to explore the world of podcasting with Kitcaster. Go to https://kitcaster.com/tllk12 or go to my webpage at https://stevenmiletto.com/sponsors click on the Kitcaster logo to apply for a special offer for friends of Teaching Learning Leading K12.   Ready to start your own podcast? Podbean is an awesome host. I have been with them since 2013. Go to https://www.podbean.com/TLLK12 to get 1 month free of unlimited hosting for your new podcast.    Remember to take a look at NVTA (National Virtual Teacher Association) The NVTA Certification Process was created to establish a valid and reliable research-based teacher qualification training process for virtual teachers to enhance their teaching and develop their ongoing reflective skills to improve teaching capacity. NVTA is an affiliate sponsor of Teaching Learning Leading K12, by following the link above if you purchase a program, Teaching Learning Leading K12 will get a commission and you will help the show continue to grow.    By the way, don't forget to go to my other affiliate sponsor Boone's Titanium Rings at www.boonerings.com. When you order a ring use my code - TLLK12 - at checkout to get 10% off and help the podcast get a commission.   Oh by the way, you can help support Teaching Learning Leading K12 by buying me a soft drink (actually making a donation to Teaching Learning Leading K12.) That would be awesome! You would be helping expand the show with equipment and other resources to keep the show moving upward. Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stevenmiletto Thanks! Have an awesome day!   Connect & Learn More https://www.10hiddenheroes.com/ https://store.loyolapress.com/10-hidden-heroes https://clubs.scholastic.com/10-hidden-heroes/9780829454413-rco-us.html https://www.amazon.com/10-Hidden-Heroes-Mark-Shriver/dp/0829452699 https://www.today.com/video/mark-shriver-discusses-children-s-book-10-hidden-heroes-102166085825 Length - 41:36

Welcome to Utopia is Now. In today's conversation, we talked to Cheryl Kiser, the executive director of the Lewis Institute for Social Innovation at Babson College. Cheryl inspires people to create a positive social impact in any role, any sector, and any community and empowers people to see the UN Global Goals as a $12 trillion market opportunity for addressing the biggest challenges of our time, such as poverty, climate action, and inequality. She is a global leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social innovation and is the author of the book Creating Social Value: A Guide for Leaders and Changemakers. Her infectious energy is sought by countless corporate executives and luminaries, so much so that she has directly influenced the strategy, operations, and mindsets of dozens of Fortune 500 companies, global NGOs, community organizations, and academic institutions. Links ____________________ Find Cheryl: https://bit.ly/2Wh6jWI Cheryl's Book: https://amzn.to/3y7bUx2 Join our community: https://forms.gle/3gmq2WahzJZZ9Bny9 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3jkFkD3 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3A4PPjZ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2SwB9Jr Instagram/Twitter/Linkedin: @utopiaisnow We were recently featured in the top 10 Utopia Podcasts in Feedspot! Check it out here: blog.feedspot.com/utopia_podcasts/ Timestamps ____________________ 0:00 - Introduction 2:54 - Cheryl's story 10:00- The evolution of business since the 1960s 21:24 - What the hell is a business? 29:19 - Return on relationships - A societal mispricing problem 46:43 - Purpose-driven value & positive-sum games 50:18 - The role of language in transforming the world 1:03:52 - Cherly's gripes with 'Utopia' 1:09:56 - What is Cherly's Utopia 1:13:27 - Wrapping up Mentioned in this episode: _____________________ 1) The Lewis Institute for Social Innovation 2) Corporate Social Responsibility & ESG 3) Two Beats Ahead by Panos A. Panay & R. Michael Hendrix 4) Martin Buber 5) The Uncommon Table 6) Merck Pharmaceuticals 7) Alex Edmans 8) Grow the Pie by Alex Edmans 9) Good Company by Arthur Blank 10) The Naked Corporation: How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionize Business by Don Tapscott 11) Neighbour of Choice Program 12) Terence McKenna 13) Creating Social Value: A Guide for Leaders and Change Makers by Cheryl Kiser 14) David Stangis 15) Marcel Proust 16) Eduardo Galeano 17) Khalil Gibran Credits ____________________ Cover Art: Henri Matisse - The Beast on The Loose Music: A Journey Through The Universe – Lesion X #Language #Relationships #Business #Utopiaisnow --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/utopia-is-now/message

We're talking about Books That Make You Learn About Hidden Heroes, While Also Teaching Children to Read As division assails our nation, New York Times bestselling author Mark K. Shriver is here to offer parents and teachers a handbook for unity, gratitude, unity and healing with his first book for children: 10 HIDDEN HEROES: A Counting Book with a Message. A former Maryland legislator, Mark Kennedy Shriver is the president of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C., and creator of the Choice Program. He is also the author of Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis and the New York Times bestselling memoir, A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, which received a 2013 Christopher Award. Find out more on Books That Make You. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

This week we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid. We talk about all the new features that the F-150 has to offer, including the built-in generator, hybrid powertrain performance, and the sizable touch screen. Consumer Reports recently released a new auto designation called Green Choice, which spotlights the more environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. We explain the purpose of the Green Choice designation, and which criteria vehicles need to meet to earn the distinction. Other topics include why headlight or taillight warnings are virtually nonexistent, if renting a car only when needed makes more financial sense than owning, and why you should pay attention to your license plate when using a hitch-mounted bike rack.     ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!   From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - CR's Green Choice Designation 06:04 - 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid First Impressions 18:18 - Question #1: Why automakers don't put a headlight or taillight failure warning light in cars? 20:19 - Question #2: Is renting a car when you need one makes more financial sense than owning one? 23:05 - Question #3: Would seat covers on heated seats have any negative impact? 25:20 - Question #4: Can you get pulled over by the police for obstructing your car's license plate with a hitch-mounted bike rack?     ----------------------------------  How Your Car Can Make the Air Cleaner https://www.consumerreports.org/emissions/how-your-car-can-make-the-air-cleaner/   7 Reasons the New Ford F-150 Is the Most Advanced Version Ever https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/new-ford-150-is-the-most-advanced-version-of-this-pickup-truck-ever/   Preview: All-New 2021 Ford F-150 Is a High-Tech Workhorse https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/2021-ford-f-150-review/   How to Avoid Sneaky Car-Rental Fees https://www.consumerreports.org/fees-billing/how-to-avoid-sneaky-car-rental-fees/   How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus in an Uber, a Lyft, or a Rental Car https://www.consumerreports.org/ride-hailing/stay-safe-from-coronavirus-in-an-uber-lyft-rental-car/   How Bike Racks Affect a Car's Fuel Economy https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-bike-racks-affect-car-fuel-economy/   Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/   Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/     ----------------------------------- Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez    Follow Us on Social: Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9 Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ

This week we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid. We talk about all the new features that the F-150 has to offer, including the built-in generator, hybrid powertrain performance, and the sizable touch screen. Consumer Reports recently released a new auto designation called Green Choice, which spotlights the more environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. We explain the purpose of the Green Choice designation, and which criteria vehicles need to meet to earn the distinction. Other topics include why headlight or taillight warnings are virtually nonexistent, if renting a car only when needed makes more financial sense than owning, and why you should pay attention to your license plate when using a hitch-mounted bike rack.     ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!   From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - CR’s Green Choice Designation 06:04 - 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid First Impressions 18:18 - Question #1: Why automakers don’t put a headlight or taillight failure warning light in cars? 20:19 - Question #2: Is renting a car when you need one makes more financial sense than owning one? 23:05 - Question #3: Would seat covers on heated seats have any negative impact? 25:20 - Question #4: Can you get pulled over by the police for obstructing your car’s license plate with a hitch-mounted bike rack?     ----------------------------------  How Your Car Can Make the Air Cleaner https://www.consumerreports.org/emissions/how-your-car-can-make-the-air-cleaner/   7 Reasons the New Ford F-150 Is the Most Advanced Version Ever https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/new-ford-150-is-the-most-advanced-version-of-this-pickup-truck-ever/   Preview: All-New 2021 Ford F-150 Is a High-Tech Workhorse https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/2021-ford-f-150-review/   How to Avoid Sneaky Car-Rental Fees https://www.consumerreports.org/fees-billing/how-to-avoid-sneaky-car-rental-fees/   How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus in an Uber, a Lyft, or a Rental Car https://www.consumerreports.org/ride-hailing/stay-safe-from-coronavirus-in-an-uber-lyft-rental-car/   How Bike Racks Affect a Car’s Fuel Economy https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-bike-racks-affect-car-fuel-economy/   Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/   Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/     ----------------------------------- Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez    Follow Us on Social: Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9 Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ

This week we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid. We talk about all the new features that the F-150 has to offer, including the built-in generator, hybrid powertrain performance, and the sizable touch screen. Consumer Reports recently released a new auto designation called Green Choice, which spotlights the more environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. We explain the purpose of the Green Choice designation, and which criteria vehicles need to meet to earn the distinction. Other topics include why headlight or taillight warnings are virtually nonexistent, if renting a car only when needed makes more financial sense than owning, and why you should pay attention to your license plate when using a hitch-mounted bike rack.     ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!   From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - CR’s Green Choice Designation 06:04 - 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid First Impressions 18:18 - Question #1: Why automakers don’t put a headlight or taillight failure warning light in cars? 20:19 - Question #2: Is renting a car when you need one makes more financial sense than owning one? 23:05 - Question #3: Would seat covers on heated seats have any negative impact? 25:20 - Question #4: Can you get pulled over by the police for obstructing your car’s license plate with a hitch-mounted bike rack?     ----------------------------------  How Your Car Can Make the Air Cleaner https://www.consumerreports.org/emissions/how-your-car-can-make-the-air-cleaner/   7 Reasons the New Ford F-150 Is the Most Advanced Version Ever https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/new-ford-150-is-the-most-advanced-version-of-this-pickup-truck-ever/   Preview: All-New 2021 Ford F-150 Is a High-Tech Workhorse https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/2021-ford-f-150-review/   How to Avoid Sneaky Car-Rental Fees https://www.consumerreports.org/fees-billing/how-to-avoid-sneaky-car-rental-fees/   How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus in an Uber, a Lyft, or a Rental Car https://www.consumerreports.org/ride-hailing/stay-safe-from-coronavirus-in-an-uber-lyft-rental-car/   How Bike Racks Affect a Car’s Fuel Economy https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-bike-racks-affect-car-fuel-economy/   Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/   Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/     ----------------------------------- Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez    Follow Us on Social: Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9 Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ

SHOW TOPIC2021-22 Program of Studies: A Review with Dr. Matt McKinleySPECIAL GUESTDr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 InstructionDr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School.Dr. McKinley earned his bachelor of art’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW• What is new for 2021-22• When registration will take place for grades 7-12• How the Program of Studies website was streamlined and updated USEFUL INFORMATIONwww.svsd.net/POS

Before we start, I need your help.  Please let others know about the newsletter. If you or someone you know needs coaching, please click here, and it will take you to the coaching page. My goal is to get the podcast in the top 100 Apple podcasts, and I can only do this with your help. Please leave a rating and review, share the link to the podcast with your social media followers, and support the podcast's guest.   Mike Thompson is the host of The Father Show a half-hour talk show focusing on, but not limited to, men issues. He is CEO/Founder of The Father Show Resource Program (TFSRP) launch in November 2004 which provides resources to help men be better fathers and men overall. He is an outstanding speaker who covers motivational/inspirational topics on fatherhood, leadership, parenting, and more.  He conducts a K-12th grade school program call the Choice Program where he mentors, motivates and inspires young men to make better choices as they go through life. He has had articles written about him and The Father’s Show Resource Program in The Body of Christ, Denver Post, Denver Weekly, and the Urban Spectrum. He has won awards for his community service.   He is an actor, model, singer, public speaker, mentor, activist, father, and grandfather.   He has a wide range of interests such as Music, Golf, Jet Skiing, Snowmobiling, Art, Cooking, and Wine.   Tommy Maloney is the Executive producer and host of the podcast Blending The Family, where you can find Apple Podcasts, Iheart Radio, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio.    Tommy has spoken at TEDx, Ignite Fort Collins, and Keynote Speaker at Everything Dad Convention. He even has won speaking awards through Toastmasters International.    The author of the books "25 Tips For Divorced Dads." "Why not you, Why Not Me" and His new book, "My Dad's Advice At 5:04 AM" is coming out in 2020. He has written for magazines: The Good Men Project, Modern Gladiator, and Nurture Magazine. Plus, he has been a guest writer.   Tommy enjoys a good red blend while writing or hiding from the family. A dad to Betsy, Becca, Connor, and Duke (RIP), Otis. A husband to Ann.  Podcast music by Twisterium / freebackgroundtracks.net Contact him at  Tommy@BlendingTheFamily.com   TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/azG2K47iz4Q    Blog: http://blendingthefamily.com/blog/    Podcast: http://blendingthefamily.libsyn.com/    Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tommy-maloney/id958223196?mt=2    Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tommy-maloney/blending-the-family    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetommymaloney    The Good Men Project: https://goodmenproject.com/author/tommy-maloney/   Medium: https://medium.com/@thetommymaloney   Calendly: calendly.com/thomasdmaloneyjr    

Today on Midday, a conversation about efforts to re-direct youth who are entangled in the criminal justice system and efforts to provide alternative pathways for Baltimore’s high-risk youth. Sam Abed is the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Eric Ford is the director of UMBC’s Choice Program, which works to prevent the disproportionate incarceration of minority youth through advocacy and community engagement.

SHOW TOPICReturn to School Secondary Student InformationSPECIAL GUESTDr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 InstructionDr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School.Dr. McKinley earned his bachelor of art’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council. IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW• Learning Models and Phases • 2020-21 student schedules • A typical day in the life for a secondary student in our schools• Differences in Remote Learning • Supporting students and parents through resources USEFUL INFORMATIONwww.svsd.net/ReturntoSchoolwww.svsd.net/LearningModels

Today we feature an interview our colleague Kelsey Bolar did with Virginia Walden Ford, a mom of three whose activism brought school choice to the kids of Washington, D.C. Now her story is being made into a major movie, “Miss Virginia,” which will be released Oct. 18.We also cover these stories:• The Education Department is fining Michigan State University $4.5 million over its handling of sexual misconduct.• The Labor Department reinstated a political appointee who had resigned over a sarcastic Facebook post that a reporter suggested was anti-Semitic.• Walgreens is now following the trend set by other big retail chains in asking customers to no longer open carry firearms in their stores.The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet, iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Play, or Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a review. You can also leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write us at letters@dailysignal.com. Enjoy the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A conversation about Alabama’s private school scholarship program, how it’s changing lives and why the education establishment wants to rip it apart, with Ryan Cantrell of the American Federation for Children.

We're in a great position to see which education innovations are working well in other states. In this episode, we look at recent research showing several important benefits of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which has been serving students since 1990.  

Suicide rates among veterans has substantially increased in the past decade. A third of veterans are likely to have considered suicide themselves or have been exposed to the phenomenon through other people who have served with them. The consequences of these increasing rates are not felt only within the veterans’ community but stretch far wider for society in general. Students at The Bush School of Government and Public Service conducted research on prevention mechanisms for suicide among veterans, from policy changes to nonprofit work. Togeher with the host they provide an overview of the data available, resources put in place from the public and non-public sector, as well as offer recommendations on tackling policies and initiatives to help veterans deal with PTSD, stress, and post-service re-integration in society. Sources: To read the PAWS Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2327 Stop Soldier Suicide: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/ Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ Florid State University Research on Suicide: http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000084.pdf CDC Suicide data: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html Latest Veterans Affairs Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/2016suicidedatareport.pdf To report on suicide for veterans visit this link: http://reportingonsuicide.org/ On more information regarding the 22 Push Ups challenge read: https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/what-is-the-22-push-up-challenge-raising-awareness-for-veterans-suicide-preventi.html For more information on the Veteran’s Choice Program: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/VCP/index.asp

The nonprofit Choice Program has worked for three decades to mentor young people in Maryland. With the help of AmeriCorps fellows, Choice works to keep families together, prevent repeat crimes by young people in the justice system, and provide educational and vocational opportunities.We hear from director LaMar Davis about their strategy. We also spoke with current AmeriCorps fellow Shanelle Grier and former participant - later fellow - Latoya Felder.The Choice Program at UMBC is celebrating its 30th anniversary with events this weekend, including a happy hour and trivia night. Information here.

It’s the end of the year, and we thought we’d wrap up 2017 with a conversation about all the goings on at the Dept of Veterans Affairs. We invite former Lt Bob Anderson back to CHW, and he expounds on all the efforts the VA has taken to take money from veterans and pay for the failing Choice Program. If you have a veteran you care for in the VA system, you need to listen to this one.

The Veterans Health Administration operates a taxpayer-funded health system to provide our nation’s veterans physical and mental health services. The Veterans Choice Program is a fundamental change to that system as it allows veterans to get taxpayer-funded health care in the private sector. In this episode, learn the history of the Veterans Choice Program, discover the changes that Congress and the Trump Administration have made to the program this year, and get some insights into the future of the program. Please Support Congressional Dish Click here to contribute using credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Bills H.R. 3230: Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 Allows veterans to get medical care outside the Veteran's Administration system; they can go to any health facility that serves Medicare patients, health centers, the Defense Department, and the Indian Health Service. Veterans are only given this option if they'd have to wait over 30 days for an appointment with the Veteran's Administration or if they live 40 miles or further from a Veteran's Administration clinic. If eligible, the veteran will receive a special identification card. How it works: Veteran notifies VA, VA puts Veteran on an electronic waiting list or authorizes their request, VA works out a payment agreement with the health care provider, VA reimburses health care provider but no more than they would for Medicare services. If the veteran gets treated for a problem that was not related to their military service, their health insurance plan will be responsible for payment and the health care provider will be responsible for going after the insurance company for the money. Veterans can not be charged higher co-payments for care at private facilities than they would have been charged at the Veteran's Administration. This program will end in three years. Orders a private-sector review, establishes a fifteen person commission, and creates a technology task force to review VA practices. Wait times for care can not be considered when determining performance bonuses for top officials at the Veteran's administration and performance goals that disincentivize using private health providers for veteran care will be eliminated. Wait times for health care at the VA, VA facility quality measures, and VA doctor credentials will be published online. The VA will add 1,500 graduate medical education residency positions for five years to address staffing shortages. Extends the program that reimburses medical students for education costs and increases the amounts they'll receive for working for the VA. Expands coverage for mental health care related to sexual assaults, which will include veterans on inactive duty. This will be effective August 7, 2015. Extends a pilot program for assisted living care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries until October 2017. Disqualifies public colleges that charge veterans more than State residents from being qualified schools for veteran education benefits. Makes it easier to fire or transfer senior executives at the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Appropriates $15 billion to implement these changes. S. 544: A bill to amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to modify the termination date for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes Eliminates the end date for the Choice Program, which was supposed to expire when the money ran out of after three years. Changes the payment system from one where the veteran's health insurance plan must pay for non-service related treatments, with doctors getting reimbursed directly from the insurance companies to a new system where the Veterans Department will pay and be reimbursed by the insurance companies. Establishes legal permission for the government to share medical records of veterans with "private entities" S. 1094: Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act Title I: Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Creates a new office, headed by a Presidential appointee, in charge of VA employee accountability and processing of whistleblower complaints. This office will have the power to impose disciplinary actions. The identities of whistleblowers must be protected unless the whistleblower consents to disclosure. The Department of Veterans' Affairs must train employees on the whistleblowing process. Title II: Accountability of senior executives, supervisors, and other employees Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to suspend, demote, or fire senior executives as long as the executive receives 15 days advance notice and all evidence against him or her, legal representation, and the ability to argue their case in an official process created by the Secretary that takes no more than 21 days. Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to remove, demote, or suspend Veterans Administration employees for performance or misconduct. Demoted employees will have their pay decreased. The demotion or removal process must be completed within 15 business days and the employee has 7 business days to respond. These new procedures "shall supercede any collective bargaining agreement to the extend that such agreement is inconsistent with such procedures.". There is an appeal process but it must be started within 10 business days after the date of the removal, demotion, or suspension. The appeal must be decided within 180 days. The Secretary can not remove, demote, or suspend a whistleblower without approval of a Special Counsel or unless the Assistant Secretary refuses to act on the whistleblower account or unless a final decision has been made regarding the whistleblower's disclosure. Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to order the repayment of bonuses or relocation expenses paid to VA employees if the Secretary determines that the employee engaged in misconduct or poor performance before the bonus was awarded. There is an appeal process via the Office of Personnel Management. S.114: VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 Title I: Appropriation for Veterans Choice Program Deposits $2.1 billion in the Veterans Choice Fund, which will not expire. Title II: Personnel matters Doubles the number of positions that can be labeled has having staffing shortages and gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the ability to directly hire people to those positions. "Executive Management Fellowship Program" A program to give VA employees 1 year of training in the private sector and to give private sector employees 1 year of training in the VA. Between 18 & 30 people from the private sector and the same amount from the VA will be selected in August of each year to participate. To accept the fellowship, the person must agree to work as a full-time employee of the VA for two years and is prohibited from working the corresponding private sector industry for two years after completing the program. Performance Evaluations Political appointees of the VA will have annual performance plans similar to the ones administered to career employees. Promotions Gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the ability to easily promote existing employees or people who voluntarily left within 2 years, one employment status at a time. Employment Opportunity Database Creates a website that will list vacant positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Title III: Major medical facility leases We're paying to replace VA facilities in 28 locations. H.R. 3236: Surface transportation and veterans health care choice improvement act of 2015 Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD080: The July Laws Additional Reading Article: VA secretary David Shulkin: I don't consider this Texas church gunman as a veteran by Melissa Quinn, Washington Examiner, November 6, 2017. Article: Funding for a new veterans choice program remains the big, unresolved question for VA by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, October 24, 2017. Article: AFGE ramping up anti-privatization campaign, as VA readies new Choice draft by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, October 17, 2017. Article: Focus on VA hiring, not Veterans Choice, AFGE says by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, October 6, 2017. Article: Trump signs bill to speed up VA disability appeals process by Richard Sisk, Military.com, August 23, 2017. Article: Last-minute Veterans Choice funding bill filled with key VA hiring flexibilities by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, July 28, 2017. Article: Fix for Veterans Choice shortfalls fails in the House with little funds left by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, July 24, 2017. Radio Transcript: VA pane report to suggest more private care choices for veterans, Morning Edition with David Greene, NPR, July 6, 2017. Article: Shulkin offers first glimpse at a new VA Choice plan by Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Radio, June 8, 2017. Article: Trump extends program allowing some veterans to use local doctors, hospitals by Lisa Lambert, Reuters, April 19, 2017. News Report: Barry Coates dead; veteran was at heart of VA scandal by Scott bronstein, Nelli Black, Drew Griffin and Curt Devine, CNN Investigations, January 27, 2016. Article: How the VA developed its culture of coverups by David Farenthold, The Washington Post, May 30, 2014. Article: Obama accepts resignation of VA secretary Shinseki by Greg Jaffe and Ed O'Keefe, The Washington Post, May 30, 2014. References Budget Plan: 2018 FY Homeland Security Budget-in-Brief GAO Report: Veterans health care: Preliminary observations on veterans access to Choice Program care House Amendment Act: S.114 of the 115th Congress Interactive Timeline: Veterans Choice Program Slideshow: Billing Procedures, VA Veterans Choice Program and Patient-Centered Community Care Strawman Document: Proposed Strawman Assessment Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Bills related to veterans choice; House Committee on Veterans Affairs; October 24, 2017. 02:42 Rep. Phil Roe (TN): To that end, I believe it’s important to state yet again that this effort is in no way, shape, or form intended to create a pipeline to privatize the V.A. healthcare system. I want to be completely clear about that. Everyone who participated in the roundtable earlier this month and contributed to the development of this legislation should be completely clear on that. Everyone listening today should also be completely clear on that. Supplemental care sourced from within the community has been a part of the V.A. healthcare system since the 1940s and services to expand V.A.’s reach and strengthen and support the care that V.A. provides. Rhetoric aside, strengthening and support V.A. is what this consideration is about—this conversation is about. It should go without saying that V.A. cannot be everywhere providing everything to every veteran. Expecting V.A. to perform like that sets up the V.A. to fail. That’s why my draft bill preserves V.A.’s role as the central coordinator of care for enrolled veteran patients. In addition to consolidating V.A.’s menu of existing community-care programs into one cohesive program, my bill would create a seamless, integrated V.A. system of care that incorporates V.A. providers and V.A. medical facilities where and when they are available to provide care a veteran seeks and a network of V.A. providers in the community who can step up when needed. Under my draft bill, the V.A. generally retains the right of first refusal, meaning that if V.A. medical facilities can reasonably provide a needed service to a veteran, that care will be provided in that facility. But when the V.A. can’t do that, my bill would ensure that veterans aren’t left out to dry. Press Conference: Trump signs veterans health care bill; C-Span; August 12, 2017. 0:30 David Shulkin: The V.A. Choice and Quality Employment Act has three important components. The first is that this helps us expand our ability to hire medical-center directors and other senior executives to serve in the V.A. This is about leadership, and it’s really important that we get the right leaders helping us to do the job for veterans. The second is that this bill authorizes 28 new facility leases that will be in different parts of the country that provide our veterans with updated facilities, something that, again, we are committed to providing our veterans with world-class care. And third, and most important, this bill allows us to continue to be able to provide care in the community for our veterans to make sure that they’re getting high-quality care and not waiting for care. Already this year, in the first six months of this year, we have authorized over 15 million appointments for veterans in the community. That’s 4 million appointments more than what was experienced at this time last year. So we’re making a lot of progress in expanding Choice. Hearing: Fiscal year 2018 Veterans Affairs budget; Senate Veterans Affairs Committee; June 14, 2017. 12:29 David Shulkin: Two years ago—I’m sure you’re going to remember in July of 2015 we had too little money in our community-care accounts within the V.A., which we solved with your help by accessing unused funds in the Choice account. So we transferred money from Choice into community care. We now have too little money in the Choice account, which we’re working to solve, again working with you, with legislative authority, to replenish funds into the Choice account. So this is the situation that we’ve described before where for a single purpose of providing care in the community we have two checking accounts, and I will tell you, I wish it were easier than it is. We have to figure out how to balance these two checking accounts at all times. And obviously it’s not a science, it’s an art; and we’re having difficulty with that once again, and that’s why we need to work with you to solve it. The Veterans CARE program that we outlined for you last week will solve this recurring problem permanently by modernizing and consolidating all of the community-care accounts, including Choice. Hearing: Examining the Veterans Choice program and the future of care in the community; Committee on Veterans Affairs; June 7, 2017. Witness: David Shulkin - Veterans Affairs Secretary 12:55 David Shulkin: Just in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, we saw 35% more authorizations for Choice than we did in the first quarter of 2016. So far in fiscal year 2017, we have approximately 18,000 more Choice-authorized appointments per day than we did in fiscal year 2016. But we still have a lot more work to do. That’s why we’re seeking support for the Veterans Coordinated Access and Rewarding Experiences program, the Veterans CARE program. Let me just go over that again because you need a good acronym in Washington. The Veterans Coordinated Access—that’s the C and the A—Rewarding Experiences program—the CARE program. I’ve testified before and I’ll report again today that our overarching concern remains veterans’ access to high-quality care when and where they need it. That’s regardless of whether the care is in the V.A. or in the community. Our goal is to modernize and consolidate community care. We owe veterans a program that’s easy to understand, simple to administer, and that meets their needs. That’s the CARE program, and now it’s time to get this right for veterans. So we need your help. 14:23 David Shulkin: Here’s how veterans could experience V.A. healthcare, with your help. The veteran talks with their V.A. provider. That’s a conversation over the phone, virtually, or in person. The outcome is a clinical assessment. The clinical assessment may indicate that the V.A. specialist is the best for the veteran, or it may indicate that community care is best to meet the veteran’s needs. If community care is the answer, then the veteran chooses a provider from a high-performing network. That’s the veteran choosing a provider from the high-performing network. Assessment tools help veterans evaluate community providers and make the best choices themselves. We may help veterans schedule appointments in the community, or in some circumstances, veterans can schedule the appointments themselves. We make sure community providers have all the information they need to treat the veteran. We get the veteran’s record back. We pay the veteran’s bill. This is all about individualized, convenient, well-coordinated, modern healthcare and a positive experience for the veteran. If the V.A. doesn’t offer the necessary service, then the veteran goes to the community. If the V.A. can’t provide timely services, the veteran goes to the community. If there are unusual burdens in receiving care, the veteran goes to the community. If a service at a V.A. clinic isn’t meeting quality metrics for specific services, veterans needing that service go to the community while we work to support that clinic to improve its performance. And veterans who need care right away will have access to a network of walk-in clinics. 19:20 David Shulkin: We want to make sure that if the service is low performing, if it’s below what the veteran could get in the community, that they have the opportunity—they don’t have to leave the V.A. They’re given a choice so that they are able to get care in the community or stay at the V.A., because, you know, if a veteran has a good experience and they have trust in their provider, they’re going to want to stay where they are. But that is the purpose. The whole idea here is to improve the V.A., not to get more care in the community. And the very best way that I know how to improve health care is to give the patient, in this case the veteran, choice and to make those choices transparent to let everybody see, because then if you’re not performing as high-quality service, you’re going to want to provide a higher-quality service, because you want to be proud of what you’re working on. And I want the V.A. to be improving over time, and I think this will help us do that. 24:42 Sen. Patty Murray (WA): Secretary Shulkin, in your draft of Veteran CARE plan, you outline a number of pilot projects that sound to me uncomfortably like a proposals that are made by the so-called straw-man document. It’s from the commission on CARE and by the extreme, and to me unacceptable, plan put forward by the Concerned Veterans of America. And those include creating a V.A. insurance plan and separating it from CARE delivery, dividing the governance of a V.A. insurance plan and the health system, and alternative CARE model that sends veterans directly to the private sector. The goal of those types of initiatives, as originally stated in the straw-man document, is “as V.A. facilities become obsolete and are underused, they would be closed when availability and accessibility of care in the community is assured.” Those policies serve not only to dismantle the V.A. and start the health system down to a road to privatization, I just want you to know I will not support them, and I will fight them with everything I have. So, I want to ask you, why are you agreeing to pursue those unacceptable policy options? David Shulkin: Well, first of all, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and as clearly as you have. I share your goal. I am not in support of a program that would lead towards privatization or shutting down the V.A. programs. What I am in support of is using pilots to test various ideas about governance, about the way that the system should be, organized in the way that we should evolve, because I don’t know without testing different ideas whether they’re good ideas or not. 35:28 Sen. Jerry Moran (KS): You said something that caught my attention: this will not be an unfettered Choice program— David Shulkin: Yep. Moran: —and I wanted to give you the opportunity to explain to me and to the committee what that means. Shulkin: Yeah. There are some that have suggested that the very best approach is just give veterans a card, a voucher, and let them go wherever they want to go. And I think that there are some significant concerns about that, and you’re going to see this proposal is not that. This proposal is to develop a system that is designed for veterans, that coordinates their care, and gives them the options when it’s best for in the V.A. and when it’s best in the community. Unfettered Choice is appealing to some, but it would lead to, essentially, I believe, the elimination of the V.A. system all together. It would put veterans with very difficult problems out into the community, with nobody to stand up for them and to coordinate their care. And the expense of that system is estimated to be at the minimum $20 billion more a year than we currently spend on V.A. health care. So for all those reasons, I am not recommending that we have unfettered access. At some point in the future, if you design a system right, giving veterans complete choice, I believe in principle, is the direction we should be headed in, but not in 2017. 39:05 Sen. Jon Tester (MT): I want to go back to the Choice program, community care versus V.A. care, and tell you where we’re probably all on the same page around this rostrum, but as we’re all on the same page and the budget comes out and gives a 33% increase for private-sector care versus a 1.2% increase for care provided directly by the V.A., it doesn’t take very many budgets like that and pretty soon you’re not going to have any vets going to the V.A., because all the money’s going to community care, and they will follow the money. I promise you they will follow the money. I think that—I don’t want to put words in the VSO’s mouth. He’ll have a chance here in a bit—but I think most of the veterans I talk to say, build the V.A.’s capacity. In Montana we don’t have enough docs, we don’t have enough nurses, we don’t have enough of anything. And quite frankly, that takes away from the experience and the quality of care, and so by putting 1.2% increase for care provided directly by the V.A. and 33% for private-sector care, we’re privatizing the V.A. with that budget. David Shulkin: Yeah. I told you I wasn’t going to say that you were right again, but there’s a lot that you said that I think that we both agree with. And the goal is not to privatize the V.A. What we’re asking for in this is something we don’t have. We need additional flexibility between the money that goes into the community and the money that can be spent in the V.A. Right now we’re restricted to a 1% ability to transfer money between. We are seeking that you give us more latitude there for exactly the reason you’re talking about, Senator. We need our medical centers and our VISNs to be able to say that they need to build capacity in the V.A. where it’s not available. The reason why we’re letting people go in the community now is because the V.A. doesn’t have it. We have to get them that care. Tester: I got it, but if we don’t make the investments so they can get that health care, they’ll never get that health care there. Shulkin: I— Tester: Okay. Hearing: Veterans affairs oversight; House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; May 3, 2017. Witness: Dr. David Shulkin - Veterans Affairs Secretary   16:13 David Shulkin: More veterans are opting for Choice than ever before, five times more in fiscal year 2016 than fiscal year 2015, and Choice authorizations are still rising. We’ve issued 35% more authorizations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 than in the same quarter of 2016. 18:00 David Shulkin: My five priorities as secretary are to provide greater Choice for veterans, to modernize our systems, to focus resources more efficiently, to improve the timeliness of our services, and suicide prevention among veterans. We are already taking bold steps towards achieving each of these priorities. Two weeks ago the president signed a reauthorization of the Veterans Choice Act, ensuring veterans can continue to get care from community providers. Just last week the president ordered the establishment of a V.A. accountability office, and we’re moving as quickly as we can within the limits of the law to remove bad employees. V.A. has removed medical center directors in San Juan; Shreveport, Louisiana; and recently we’ve relieved the medical center director right here in Washington, D.C. and removed three other senior executive service leaders due to misconduct or poor performance. We simply cannot tolerate employees who act counter to our values or put veterans at risk. Since January of this year, we’ve authorized an estimated 6.1 million community-care appointments, 1.8 million more than last year, a 42% increase. We now have same-day services for primary care and mental health at all of our medical centers across the country. Veterans can now access wait-time data for their local V.A. facilities by using an easy online tool where they can see those wait times. No other healthcare system in the country has this type of transparency. V.A. is setting new trends with public-private partnerships. Last month we announced a public-private partnership of an ambulatory care development center, with a donation of roughly $30 million in Omaha, Nebraska, thanks to Mr. Fortenberry’s help there. Veterans now have, or will have, a facility that’s being built with far fewer taxpayer dollars than in the past. Finally, V.A. is saving lives. My top clinical priority is suicide prevention. On average 20 veterans a day die by suicide. A few months ago the Veterans Crisis Line had a rollover rate to a backup center of more than 30%. Today that rate is less than 1%. In support of our efforts to reduce suicides, we’ve launched new predictive modeling tools that allow V.A. to provide proactive care and support for veterans who are at the highest risk of suicide. And I’ve recently announced the V.A. will be providing emergency mental health care to former service members with other-than-honorable discharges at all of our medical facilities. We know that these veterans are at greater risk for suicide, and we’re now caring for them as well as we can. 23:19 David Shulkin: The VISTA system is something that, frankly, V.A. should be proud of. It invented it, it was the leader in electronic health records, but, frankly, that’s old history, and we have to look at keeping up and to modernize the system. I’ve said two things, Mr. Chairman, in the past. I’ve said, number one is, V.A. has to get out of the business of becoming a software developer. This is not our core competency. I don’t see why it serves veterans. I think we’re doing this in a way that, frankly, we can’t keep up with. So, I’ve said that we’re going to get out of that business. We’re either going to find a commercial company that will take over and support VISTA or we’re going to go to an off-the-shelf product. And that’s really what we’re evaluating now. We have an RFI out for, essentially, the commercialization of VISTA that we wouldn’t longer be doing internally. 27:33 David Shulkin: We also, as we get more veterans out into the community, out into the private-sector hospitals, we have to be very concerned about interoperability with those partners as well. 38:24 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL): Given that your goal is one program, are you analyzing which program ultimately would be phased out, because we have a tendency to instead of phasing out programs because they have people with a vested interest in them, simply— David Shulkin: Yes. Schultz: —going along to get along rather than rocking the boat, and so if we’re adding $3 1/2 billion to the Choice program and it had 950 million left, there have been challenges with the Choice program and confusion, and there are still challenges with the community care program, in what direction is the V.A. thinking of going when we—and what is the timeline for ultimately— Shulkin: Right. Schultz: — phasing out one program and only having one? Shulkin: Right. Well, with almost certainty I can tell you there will not be three programs, because the current Choice program will run out of money— Schultz: Right. Shulkin: —by the end of this calendar year. So, that program is going to go away and should be through December of this year. What we are hoping to do is to work with you so that we can introduce a community-care funding program—the chairman referred to it as Choice 2.0—which is a program that makes sense for veterans, which is a single program that operates under one set of rules for how veterans get care in the community. And that new legislation, which we believe needs to be introduced by late summer or early fall in order to make the timeline, would end up with a single program. Schultz: So, you eventually envision phasing out community care with the advent— Shulkin: Yes. Schultz: —of Choice 2.0. 1:33:11 Rep. Charles Dent (PA): In the one-page FY ’18 skinny budget we received in March, there’s a V.A. request for $2.9 billion in new mandatory funding, presumably to complete the FY ’18 funding for the Choice program after the mandatory $10 billion of the program is completely exhausted in January, I guess. Does this indicate the administration’s intent to fund the successor Choice program out of mandatory funding? David Shulkin: Yes. 1:45:37 Rep. Tom Rooney (FL): And many of the providers that are technically participating in the Choice program are refusing to accept Choice patients because they know that they’ll have to wait a long time to get paid themselves. So some providers that don’t accept the Choice patients will only do so if the veteran agrees to pay for the services up front. And that leaves the veterans in that same bind they were in before Choice, which was either face the excessive wait times at the V.A. facility with no option to obtain immediate care elsewhere without paying out of pocket first. And obviously that’s not the point, or that’s not what we’re looking to do. So, I mean, you as a doctor can probably appreciate, you know, with these people that want to take the Choice program to help veterans but they know that it’s going to take forever to get reimbursed be like, hey, will you pay me first, and then, you know, we’ll deal with getting reimbursed later. I don’t know if that’s the rationale, but it sounds like that. The OIG has criticized the V.A.’s monitoring oversight for these contracts and reported that these contracts still don’t have performance measures to ensure the contractors pay their providers in a timely manner, and the OIG made this recommendation January 30 of this year. So, as you work to expand the Choice program, how are you implementing the OIG’s recommendation specifically with regard to timely reimbursements? David Shulkin: Well, there is no doubt that this is an area of significant risk for us, that monitoring and making sure that the providers are paid is critical because of the issues that you’re saying: the veterans are being put in the middle. I would not recommend the veterans put out money for this. That is, as you said, is not the point of it. What we have done is we have done multiple contract modifications. We’ve actually advanced money to the third-party administrators. I’ve suspended the requirement that providers have to provide their medical records to us in order to get paid. We are improving our payment cycles through the Choice program, but it’s not perfect by any means. We have to get better at our auditing of these processes, and those were the IG recommendations, and we are working on doing that. So this is a significant area of risk for us. In the reauthorization, or the redesign, of the Choice program, what we’re calling Choice 2.0, we want to eliminate the complexity of this process. The private sector does not have to do the type of adjudication of claims that we do. They do auto adjudification. They do electronic claims payments. We just are not able to, under this legislation, do all the things that, frankly, we know are best practices. That’s what we want to get right in Choice 2.0. 1:56:40 David Shulkin: Our care needs to be focused on those that are eligible for care, particularly when we have access issues. So, I’d be glad to talk to you more about that. I do want to just mention two things. First of all, our policy is for emergency mental health care for other-than-honorable, not dishonorably, discharged; dishonorably discharged who were not— Rep. Scott Taylor (VA): Sorry if I misspoke. David Shulkin: Yeah, yeah, okay. Rep. Scott Taylor (VA): But I do applaud you for those efforts. David Shulkin: I just wanted to clarify that. Rep. Scott Taylor (VA): I know that there are a lot of wounds that are mental, of course, and— David Shulkin: Absolutely. Rep. Scott Taylor (VA): —I get that. I applaud you for those efforts. Hearing: Veterans affairs choice program; House Committee for Veterans Affairs; March 7, 2017. Witness: David Shulkin - Veterans Affairs Secretary Michael Missal - Veterans Affairs Inspector General Randall Williamson - GAO Health Care Team Director 20:35 David Shulkin: However, we do need your help. The Veterans Choice Program is going to expire in less than six months, but our veterans’ community-care needs will not expire. This looming expiration is a cause for concern among veterans, providers, and V.A. staff, and we need help in eliminating the expiration date of the Choice program on August 7, 2017 so that we can fully utilize the remaining Choice funds. Without congressional action, veterans will have to face longer wait times for care. Second, we need your help in modernizing and consolidating community care. Veterans deserve better, and now is the time to get this right. We believe that a modernized and revised community-care program must have seven key elements. First, maintain a high-performing integrated network that includes V.A., federal partners, academic affiliates, and community providers. Second, increase Choice for all veterans, starting with those with cer—(audio glitch). Third, ensure that enrolled veterans get the care they need closer to their homes, when appropriate. Fourth, optimize coordination of V.A. healthcare benefits with the health insurance that an enrolled veteran already has. Fifth, maintain affordability of healthcare options for the lowest-income enrolled veterans. Sixth, assist in coordination of care for veterans served by multiple providers. And last, apply industry standards for performance quality, patient satisfaction, payment models, and healthcare outcomes. 23:24 Michael Missal: In October 2015, V.A. provided Congress with a plan to consolidate all V.A.’s purchased care programs into V.A.’s community-care program. Under consolidation, V.A. continues to have problems determining eligibility for care, authorizing care, making accurate payments, providing timely payments to providers, and ensuring the necessary coordination of care provided to veterans outside the V.A. healthcare system. 30:30 Randall Williamson: Finally, substantial resources will likely be needed to carry out Choice 2.0. Resources needed to fund IT upgrades and new applications for Choice are largely unknown but could be costly. Proposed changes in Choice eligibility requirements, such as eliminating the 30-day, 40-mile requirement for eligibility, could potentially greatly increase the number of veterans seeking care through community providers and drive costs up considerably. Also, if medical-center staff begin scheduling all appointments under Choice 2.0, as V.A. currently envisions, hiring more V.A. staff will likely be costly and tediously slow. Already, since Choice was established, V.A. medical-center staff devoted to helping veterans access non-V.A. care have increased threefold or more at many locations. 1:04:00 David Shulkin: We are looking primarily at technological solutions, and we are looking at the use of telehealth, which we are doing across V.A. on a scale that no other health system in America is even approaching—2.1 million visits; over 700,000 veterans getting access through telehealth services—and so we are looking at this very seriously about dramatically expanding its use to be able to support where we don’t have health professionals. 1:06:20 David Shulkin: Remember, we have four missions. The clinical care is what we always talk about, but we also have an education mission. We train more American healthcare professionals than any other organization in the country, we have research that’s dedicated solely to the improvement of the wellbeing of veterans, and we also serve a national emergency-preparedness role. So, all four of these missions are very important to us. I would just say two things. One thing is we know from the Choice program that only 5,000 of the several—of more now than a million veterans who’ve used the program chose only to use the Choice program. So they’re saying exactly what your constituent told you, which is the V.A. is essential and important to them. But we are not going to allow the V.A. programs to be diluted, and one of the reasons why that’s so important is that we need to modernize the V.A. system. Our lack of capitalizing the V.A. system in terms of the buildings, the equipment, the IT systems, could make it a noncompetitive system. But we’re going to make sure that the facilities that are open are the best for veterans, and veterans are going to want to continue to get their care there. The community-care program is a way to make sure that we supplement the V.A. in an integrated fashion. 1:10:00 Rep. Mike Bost (IL): The department itself has estimated that it can treat and cure most of the remaining 124,000 diagnosed cases of hepatitis C within the next three years. Is it the V.A.’s commitment that that timeline will be held to and that these will be treated regardless of the level of their liver disease or where they might be at? David Shulkin: Yes. Thanks to the support from Congress, we were provided the resources to meet that timeline. I actually think we’re going to beat it, but with one caveat. What we’ve learned is that our initial outreaches, we were getting thousands and thousands of veterans to come in and to get treatment. We have a treatment, of course, as you know, that now cures more than 95% of hepatitis C. So it’s tremendous medical advance. The doctor to my right is one of those doctors. He’s an I.D. doctor who does this in his clinical work at the V.A. Unknown Speaker: Thank you. Shulkin: What we’re finding now is, and if Dr. Yehia wants to comment on this, we’re finding that we’re now seeing less and less veterans coming in to get cured. There is a substantial number of veterans for a number of reasons, either psychological reasons or social reasons, who are not taking advantage of this care. And so this is now becoming a research question for us. How do we have to begin to approach people that are saying, I have a disease that may end up killing me, but I’m not interested in the treatment. And so I think we’re going to beat your three-year timeline, but there's still going to be a subset of veterans that don’t want to come in and get care. 1:12:50 Rep. Mike Bost (IL): What would happen if we didn’t make that extension go past the August 7, and what would be the final cutoff if we don’t get it past? David Shulkin: Well, first of all, if we don’t do this extension, this is going to be a disaster for American veterans. We’re going to see the same situation that we saw in April 2014, that Senator Kaine started out tonight with, that we saw in Phoenix. And so here’s the timeline. We do need to do this now. As I think Chairman Roe referred to, already today veterans are not able to use the Choice program, because the law states that we have to obligate the funds now for when the care is going to be delivered. So a pregnant veteran who comes to us and says, I want to get care using the Choice program, they no longer can, because nine months from now is past August 7. But this is now beginning to happen with care that is multiple months in length, like oncology care and chemotherapy and other types of therapies. We have a chart that shows that when you start getting towards the end of April to May, this is where you’re going to start seeing a large number of veterans not being able to get access to care, because episodes of care that we’re used to, like hip replacements and other things, are generally three to four months. So we think the time is now that we need to act. Bost: Okay, so, but what we’re doing is not any intention to privatize or anything like that. This is just making sure that those people who are on the Choice program, that we are moving forward to make sure that those services are provided. Shulkin: Not only that, but this is not going to cost any additional money. We are just seeking the authority to spend the money that you’ve already given us past August 7 of this year. 1:17:15 David Shulkin: We are going to go and we are going to start providing mental health care for those that are other-than-honorably discharged for urgent mental health. And we want to work with Representative Coffman on his bill on this, and we want to do as much as we can. But I don’t think it can wait, and so we’re going to start doing that now. I believe that’s in the secretary’s authority to be able to do that.   Hearing: A call for system-wide change; House Committee for Veterans Affairs; October 7, 2015. Witnesses: Robert McDonald: then Secretary of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin: Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Brett Giroir: Senior Fellow at the Texas medical Center Health Policy Institute 13:37 Robert McDonald: As you know, we have five strategies: first is improving the veteran experience, second is improving the employee experience, third is achieving support-service excellence, fourth is establishing a culture of continuous improvement, and fifth is enhancing strategic partnerships, and we would be happy to drill down on those during the question period. 14:17 Robert McDonald: In the past year, we’ve moved out aggressively in response to the access crisis, meeting increasing demand and expanding capacity on four fronts: more staffing, more space, more productivity, and more V.A. care in the community. During that period of time, we’ve completed 7 million more appointments for veterans of completed care: 4 1/2 million in the community, 2 1/2 million within V.A. We’ve added more space, we’ve added more providers, we’ve added more extra hours, all in effect to get more veterans in. But because of that, and because we’ve done a better job of caring for veterans, we have more veterans desiring care. So even those 97% of appointments are now completed within 30 days of the needed or preferred date, the number not completed in 30 days has grown from 300,000 to nearly 500,000. 16:15 Robert McDonald: We simply can’t make many necessary changes because of statutory limitations. We need to consolidate our various care in the community programs. We need a freer hand to hire, assign, and reward the executives we task to act as change agents. We need a freer hand in disposing of outdated, unused, or little-used facilities. We need a freer hand in the management of existing facilities so facilities’ managers can adjust their use of resources to the changing needs of veterans. 25:47 Brett Giroir: As background, in 2014 9.1 million of 21.6 million U.S. veterans were enrolled in the VHA. Of these, 5.8 million were actual patients, and on average these patients relied on the VHA for much less than 50% of their healthcare services. These demographic data combined with access challenges suggest reconsideration of whether the VHA should aim to be the comprehensive provider for all veterans’ health needs or whether the VHA should evolve into more focus centers providing specialized care while utilizing non-VHA providers for the majority of veterans’ healthcare needs. Either paradigm could be highly beneficial to veterans as long as the demand and resources are prospectively aligned and there is a consolidation of current programs to simplify access to non-VHA providers. 30:05 David Shulkin: The V.A. approach is to find the very best care that serves the veterans, and I think that we’ve shown that in response to our access crisis that we have encouraged the use of community care to address our access issues. I think the difference here between—maybe what I would expand on what Dr. Giroir said is that the care that V.A. provides is very, very different than the care that the private sector provides. The V.A. provides a much more comprehensive approach than just dealing with physical-illness issues. It provides psychological and social aspects of care that actually meet the needs of what veterans require. And that's why I think that we really do need to do what Dr. Giroir said, which is to see what VHA provides best for our veterans and what care can be provided by the private sector, and it’s that hybrid-type system that's going to meet our veteran's needs. 34:39 Former Rep. Corrine Brown (FL): I think the elephant in the room is that there are people out there that would actually want to just completely close the V.A. and privatize the entire V.A. system, which is totally unacceptable and it is absolutely not what the veterans want. And as you begin, I want you to discuss flexibility, but I want you to let people know how many people we actually serve every day throughout this country. Robert McDonald: Thank you, Ranking Member Brown. As I was going through my confirmation process, I often got the question from senators why—you know, from some senators, small group—why don't we get rid of the V.A. and just give out vouchers? So I studied that—as a business person, I wanted to know—and what I discovered was V.A.'s not only essential for veterans, it's essential for American medicine and it's essential for the American people. Three-legged stool: research. We spent $1.8 billion a year on research. We invented the nicotine patch. We were the ones who discovered the aspirin was important for heart disease—take an aspirin every day. First liver transplant. First implantable pacemaker. Last year two V.A. doctors invented the shingles vaccine. I could go on. That research is important for the American people, and I didn't even mention posttraumatic stress or traumatic brain injury or prosthetics, things that we're known for. Second, training. We trained 70% of the doctors in this country. Who's going to train those doctors without the V.A.? We have also the largest employer of nurses and the largest trainer of nurses. Third leg is clinical work. Our veterans get the best clinical care because our doctors are doctors that not only do the clinical care but also do research and teach in the best medical schools of our country. So I think the American people benefit from the V.A., and it would be a big mistake to even think about privatizing it. 1:06:06 Rep. Phil Roe (TN): Let me go right to what I wanted to talk about which is my own veteran’s officer at home—person that does my work at home—and basically what she’s saying is, how do you get an appointment through the Veterans Choice Program? She said she had been trying to put together a summary, and what's happening is there’re two ways you get in there: a veteran can either be eligible by a 30-day wait list or more than 40 miles. And the most of problems she saw were the 30-day list. And this is what happens. Below is the information’s been given to me by the roll out of the program. In my experience, there appears to be a breakdown somewhere in this process but have been unable to get clear answers on how to fix it. The V.A. blames TriWest; TriWest blames the V.A. Eligibility is determined by the V.A. primary-care doctor if the appointment’s passed 30 days. The non-V.A. care staff then uploads this list of eligible veterans to the V.A. central office here in Washington nightly, and the veteran’s told to wait five to seven days and then call TriWest. The central office then sends the information to TriWest, can take three to seven days. If the consults don't get added, medical documentation didn't get uploaded, authorizations gets canceled, then the veteran’s on a merry-go-round. Look, when they came to my office to get an appointment, I said, you need an appointment with Dr. Smith. They went out front and made the appointment. That's what should happen. It ain’t that complicated. And all of this in between—and I could go on and on—TriWest has a different view of it, and I want to submit this to the record because it really gets to the bottom of what’s actually going— Unknown Chairman: Not objection. Roe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The non-V.A. care staff were given no training on this, and they basically were left just to wing it, how to make these appointments. That was one of the things was brought up in the report. Our local V.A. care—non-V.A. care staff—increased from 5 to 15 but still are struggling to make all these appointments, and there's talk of—now, listen to this right here—there is talk of calling each patient for every appointment to make sure they keep it. If the patient says, I don't want to go, they still are told to call them two times a month until the past the appointment time. That's a complete waste of time. And the outpatient clinics also ought to be able to add patients to the electronic wait list instead of sending them over because appointment may come up; veterans get left out like that. And the TriWest portal is not very friendly. Private doctors did not like jumping through all the hoops of the Choice programmers saying they must give a percent of their fee to TriWest in order for TriWest to file the claim. So, we have a clinic that’s closing in our office, in our V.A., on a chiropractic and pulmonary clinic, because the doctors are just fed up with the way the system is. It’s so bureaucratic. So, anyway, I could go on and on. This is a very extensive—this is on-the-ground stuff that’s going on today at our medical center, and I bet you it's going on around the country. And I think these are things I will submit to you so you can get to work on this, and, again, appreciate the effort that you put into it. Mr. Chairman, there’s some valuable information here for the V.A. to use. And I yield back. Unknown Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Brown, you had a question. Corrine Brown: I do, because I want the secretary to answer that, because I think—I'm meeting with TriWest today—but the important thing is, you can't send a veteran to an agency or anywhere until they get prior approval from the V.A. because the most important thing is that that doctor get that reimbursement. So can you clear this up? I mean, no person in my office can send someone to a doctor; it must go through the system so that you get prior approval. And once that's done, how long—why does it take so long for that physician to get reimbursed, and can he answer that question? Robert McDonald: We have flowcharted that process, and let me let David talk about the improvements that we’ve made to that process. He'll answer questions one and three, and I'll take two on the facilities. David Shulkin: Okay. Dr. Roe, I think your old adage on the three A's is exactly right. And you have to remember we brought this Choice system up in 90 days. This is a national, very complex system, and what we've heard after bringing it up in 90 days is exactly the type of feedback that you've been hearing from your constituents. The secretary and I are both out in the field, we understand that these problems are happening, and so what we've begun to do is to redesign the system and to process-map it out. Both the secretary and I spoke to the CEO of TriWest last evening, and we are beginning now to make outbound calls to the veterans before they had to call in. We are beginning to actually embed TriWest staff in the V.A. so that they're working in teams, and we're beginning to start eliminating some of those steps. It is going to take a while. It is painful to watch this when you hear stories like what you're hearing, but we understand the problems there, we are working very hard, we think TriWest and Health Net are working to help us make the system better, and we're committed to doing this with urgency. 1:58:08 David Shulkin: We do have a crisis in leadership. We have too many open, vacant positions. We have too many people in acting positions and interim positions. You can't expect that you're going to have a transformation in a health system unless you have stable leadership in place. We need your help on this. We need your help to help create the V.A. to be an environment people want to come and serve and to be excited about, and we are asking for your help in Title 38 for the—Hybrid Title 38—to be able to help get the right type of compensation for leadership positions in V.A. That will help us a lot. Hearing: HR 1994 VA accountability act and HR 3236 surface transportation and veterans health care choice improvement act; House Rules Committee; July 28, 2015. 1:28:40 Bradley Byrne (AL): We don’t need to have a government-run healthcare system for our veterans. We need to transition out of it and give all of our veterans a card, just like an insurance card. Hearing: Veterans Affairs health care and budget; House Veterans Affairs Committee; July 22, 2015. 19:20 Robert McDonald Clinical output has increased 8% while budget has increased 2%, 35% more people (1.5 million beneficiaries) 20:22 Robert McDonald Increased Choice authorizations by 44% (900,000), 4% more appointments, percentages of wait times, wait times for types of care 21:50 Robert McDonald Care crisis of 2014 was caused by an imbalance in supply and demand, VA has been governing to fit a budget, not making budget fit the care, stats on new enrollees, 147% increase. enrolled veterans use VA for 34% of their care 56:00 Robert McDonald Here is a packet explaining the transformation of the VA, we have an advisory board full of CEOs, VA is going through the largest transformation in it’s history 1:09:40 Tim Heulskamp (KS) Concerned that money will be redirect away from Choice and he thinks “many employees” are not supportive of Choice, throws out bullshit numbers James Tuchschmidt corrects him and said they took money out to pay for the Hepatitis C drug 1:11:50 Tim Heulskamp wants to know why only two people have been fired for the wait time scandal. Robert McDonald many have retired, one indictment, 1,300 have been fired, new leadership, 7 million more appointments this year 1:27:30 Rep.Jackie Walorski (IN) Veterans died because of the Veteran’s Administration, I wanted to see people go to prison, list of things she’s pissed about, "Nothing is working” Robert McDonald 300,000 on wait list a year ago, low wait times, 1:35:00 McDonald we need a better system for anticipating what demand will be. 34% of eligible people are using VA system right now 1:35:20 Robert McDonald the crisis in 2014 was due to Vietnam vets, not Iraq & Afghanistan and we need to prepare as they age 1:36:00 Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) Why don’t we “refer out" the care that’s not directly related to military service? Robert McDonald people like to have all their doctors in one place, private sector doctors have to treat veterans differently - different questions to ask 1:41:00 Phil Roe (TN) Getting veterans outside care should be be through 1 program because it "aught to be easy" 1:43:50 Robert McDonald Moral is low because people don't want to be called out for not caring. They work hard every day 1:46:00 Kathleen Rice (D-NY) Why is there a budget shortfall? Robert McDonald 7 million more veterans needed care. "That's the reason" 1:56:00 Mark Takano (D-CA) New way of operating with non-VA providers - "Care in the Community" - not a conspiracy to "disappear the VA" - That's why we changed the name 2:05:00 Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) We should "outsource" collections” of payment from veterans with other insurance James Tuchschmidt We are looking at doing that. Wenstrup we should take bids. 2:18:00 Robert McDonald We are in favor of Choice program & we need to know about any employees who aren't because "that would be wrong" - Don't care where they get care as long as it's great care 2:20:00 Jerry McNerney (D-CA) Do you favor public private partnerships? Robert McDonald Yes, it's part of our transformation strategy. we have an “office of strategic parterships” 2:22:55 James Tuchschmidt We thought more people would use Choice, the goal was to not have vets waiting more than 30 days for care, we're asking to use that money to pay for care we purchased, we want a bill before you leave in August 2:28:00 James Tuchschmidt We’ve treated over 20,000 veterans with hepatitis C and veterans can use the Choice Program to get their treatment Rep.Ralph Abraham (LA) $500 million would be designated for Hepatitis C treatment Robert McDonald yes Hearing: Non-VA care: An integrated solution for veteran access; House Veterans Affairs Committee; June 18, 2014. 50:40 Rep. Beto O’Rourke (TX): Why have the V.A. at all? Why not privatize that care? The private sector could do it better. What’s missing in the V.A. is competition. Our veterans deserve the very best. Let’s not keep them in this institution that’s not working. From veterans, almost to a person, I hear, if I get in the V.A., I love the care. I’m treated very, very well. The outcomes are great. Don’t touch the V.A. So, what do you do best, and what does the V.A. do best? And five years down the road, after we get out of this current crisis, what will this look like? Unknown Speaker: That’s a great question. And it’s an honor to serve El Paso, where I spent part of my childhood when my dad was in the army as a doc. I will tell you that I hope it does not take five years. And I think everybody else would echo that statement. My belief is that the first phase is to make sure that the program that the V.A. has invested taxpayer money in—VAPC3—is put in place, is mature, that the processes on the V.A. side are mature, that our processes are mature, and that together we’re identifying where those pockets of veterans are that might not otherwise be able to get what they need in a complete capacity through the direct V.A. system because they lack the capacity to deliver on all the needs, and that the V.A. syst— Yes, sir. O’Rourke: Let me—I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I do want to understand what you think beyond taking care of capacity issues when the V.A.’s not able to see someone in a reasonable period of time. Are there specific kinds of care that you all would be better equipped to take care of? For example, I often think the V.A. is or should be better at handling PTSD or the aftereffects of traumatic brain injury because they see so many people like that as opposed to your typical health system or hospital. Maybe that’s a V.A. center of excellence. Is there something on the outside that we should just move all appointments or consults or procedures in a given area over to the private sector or let the private sector compete for? Unknown Speaker: Great question. My personal view is that it’s too early to ask that question—or to answer it, probably a better way to put it. It’s early to ask it, it’s right to ask it, you’re looking over the horizon line, but that we first need to get the pieces plugged together. And then there needs to be a make-by decision, category by category, and facility by facility, to look at what’s best done with taxpayer funds. Is it best to have the direct system provide care for four veterans in a particular category? Is that really necessary? Or should we buy that on the outside because it’s more efficient and more effective? 54:30 O’Rourke: You know, I’ve been on this committee for a year and a half now—it’s my first year in Congress—but I’d never been approached by a lobbyist on my way in to a meeting. Today I was, who represents providers in the private sector in El Paso and said, we have a hard time getting paid. It takes us a year sometimes. We want to see these veterans who are not able to be seen by the V.A., but it’s going to be really hard to do this if we don’t get paid. 1:34:00 Jolly: We need to do even more in providing a veteran choice. This, bottom line. The question, though, is how do we do that in a way that’s fiscally responsible? And so my question for you generally—and again, if you don’t have enough information, that’s certainly fine—in your role of supporting non-V.A. care, can you give either an assessment, if you have the technical information, or if it’s just in a working opinion on the cost effectiveness compared to traditional care, realizing that we have hard infrastructure costs within our V.A. system that aren’t reflective when you go to non-V.A. We can look at all sorts of data. I’m somebody who thinks typically data’s manipulated to get whatever outcome or position we want to finally be able to support. But can you give an opinion or assessment on the cost effectiveness of non-V.A. care versus within the V.A.? Ms. Doody: I can tell you from our experience with Project ARCH—and I wish I could give you specific numbers, sir—the company Altarum, who was contracted to collect this information—my understanding is they’re going to report back to you folks in 2015—are looking at the cost of care per veteran. From my understanding, it is less than if they would have gone to a V.A. facility for certain procedures. So, again, it’s anecdotal. It may be geographic; I can’t comment on the other regions or other states in our nation. But also just limiting the amount of mileage, the travelling that the veteran would have to do travelling to a V.A. hospital to receive care as a savings to the system also. 1:45:00 Titus: You confirm that you can’t talk about the cost effectiveness; there’s just not enough data there, yet you think it’s working pretty well, but we don’t have any hard figures, and we also know that CVO’s been kind of unable to assess the cost going forward, and nobody’s talking about how to pay for it. Yet, we are moving pell mell towards more veterans using this kind of non-V.A. care. And it’s not that I’m opposed to that, but I want us to do it right or else we’ll be having hearings five years from now, talking about all the problems with non-V.A. care. Now, to hear y’all talk about it, you’re not having any problems; things are working great under your networks. But we know that’s not true, either. I mean, there are problems out there, and we need to be serious about how to address them from the beginning. Now, as I understand it, y’all are just kind of like the middleman, like Sallie Mae and Medicare Advantage, where you have a contract to provide a service. That’s fine, but as you push more people out into the private sector, do you see your kind of business growing, or is your network going to cover more areas, or are more new networks and competition going to come on to be part of this new system that we’re going to be creating? Hearing: A continued assessment of delays in VA medical care and preventable veteran deaths; House Veterans Affairs Committee; April 9, 2014. 2:35 Rep. Jeff Miller (FL): On Monday, shortly before this public hearing, V.A. provided evidence that a total of 23 veterans have died due to delays and care at V.A. medical centers. Even with this latest disclosure as to where the deaths occurred, our committee still doesn’t know when they may have happened beyond the statement from V.A. that they most likely occurred between 2010 and 2012. These particular deaths resulted primarily from delays in gastrointestinal care. Information on other preventable deaths due to consult delays remains unavailable. Outside of the V.A.’s consult review, this committee has reviewed at least 18 preventable deaths that occurred because of mismanagement, improper infection-control practices, and a whole host—a whole host—of maladies that plagued the V.A. healthcare system all across this great nation. 8:53 Rep. Jeff Miller (FL): Mr. Coates waited for almost a year and would have waited even longer had he not personally persistently insisted on receiving the colonoscopy that he and his doctors knew that they needed. That same colonoscopy revealed that Mr. Coates had Stage IV colon cancer that had metastasized to his lungs and to his liver. 13:55 Barry Coates: My name is Barry Lynne Coates, and due to the inadequate and lack of followup care I received through the V.A. system, I stand here before you terminally ill today

Continuing this month’s celebration of six years of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, today’s segment features one of the sponsors that make it possible for co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick to bring quality content and news on the Atlanta real estate industry and the city’s special events. On today’s All About Real Estate segment, […] The post Jackson EMC Right Choice™ Program Saving Energy, Money appeared first on Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

In this installment of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow talks with Director of Policy Jason Bedrick to get the details on Illinois’s new tax-credit scholarship program—the Invest in Kids Program. They first cover how the program works and who it serves. Then, they dive into the politics of passing a school choice program in such a tough state. They also discuss the program’s weaknesses and our hopes for its future, in spite of those weaknesses. For more information about school choice in America, visit https://www.edchoice.org. To learn more about the Illinois tax-credit scholarship, visit https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/programs/illinois-invest-kids-program/.

EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West recently moderated a debate between Thomas Carroll of Invest in Education and Neal McCluskey of the Cato Institute. The question was whether the federal government should launch a federal tax credit scholarship program. Is there a role for Uncle Sam here or will the feds inevitably muck this up? The audio here comes from that event. The video can be found at: http://educationnext.org/20-billion-federal-school-choice-tax-credit-program-yes-no-maybe-how-so-event/

School Choice Program All But Killed in Texas House

Several states have deregulated their energy.  With this deregulation every resident can participate in their state's energy choice program by choosing either a pollution building brown energy supplier or a green energy suppliers which gets their energy from renewables.  We'll talk about how easy this is to do and how it impacts your life. We'll also discuss the rising costs of energy:what we can do about it and how to protect ourselves from "slamming" About The Host Host of Roxanne Pappas Radio, Your Wicked Energy Lady on The Wicked Housewives on Cape cod Radio Network, Independent Associate with Viridian Energy, educating individuals on green choices for the sustainability of our planet.  Contact her on her Facebook page, Living It Up Green, LinkedIn.  Learn more about her on @WickedHousewivesonCapeCod, and on Viridian.com/LivingItUpGreen  

Did You Know That You Can Participate in the Mass. Energy Choice Program? With energy deregulation, every MA resident can participate in the Energy Choice Program by choosing a brown or green energy supplier.  We'll talk about how easy this is to do and how it impacts your utility bill. We'll also discuss the rising costs of energy: what we can do about it and how to protect ourselves from "slamming". About Your Host: Roxanne Pappas- Host of Roxanne Pappas Radio, Wicked Energy Lady, on the Wicked Housewives On Cape Cod Radio Network, Independent Associate for Viridian Energy, educating individuals on green choices for the sustainabiity of our planet. Contact her on her facebook page, Living It Up Green, LinkedIn. Learn more about her @ Wicked Housewives on Cape Cod and on Viridian.com/livingitupgreen.  

NC Family president John Rustin talks with Renee Flaherty, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, the nation’s leading legal advocacy group for school choice, about the legal defense of North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, which is being challenged in two separate lawsuits.

When Sargent "Sarge" Shriver, founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty , died in 2011, thousands of tributes poured in from friends and strangers around the world. These tributes, which extolled the daily kindness and humanity of "a good man," moved Shriver's son Mark more than those lauding Sarge for his big-stage, headline-making accomplishments. After a lifetime searching for the path to his father's success in the public arena, Mark instead turns to a search for the secret of his father's joy, his devotion to others, and his sense of purpose. In A Good Man, he writes about his relationship with his father and his quest to understand the principles by which his father lived his extraordinary life.Mark Shriver is the senior vice president of U.S. Programs at Save the Children in Washington, D.C., and a former Maryland state legislator. He also started the Choice Program and served on the coalition to create the National Commission on Children and Disasters following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president of UMBC, will introduce Mark Shriver.Photo of Mark Shriver © Laurence L. Levin. Recorded On: Thursday, June 7, 2012