Cindy Newland, JSSA’s Director of Learning English Together, is an example of what I like to call an Everyday Hero. With her steady commitment to and compassion for our neighbors, Cindy has inspired confidence and independence for hundreds of students seeking proficiency in the English language.
JSSA’s Everyday Heroes are just that – staff members doing their part every single day to heal and improve quality of life for our neighbors across the National Capital Region. We’ll be sharing more stories from our heroes over the coming weeks and months to provide a deeper glimpse into our work. Stay tuned!
With appreciation,
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What’s Inside:
- Hospice and Palliative Care Month
- Teen Mental Health First Aid
- Donor Profile: Giving Through CITC
- Coming Soon From the Training Institute
- Thank You to Our Volunteers
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Thank You Hospice Staff and Volunteers
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month – a time for us to remind our neighbors of the many benefits of hospice care. Medicare claims data shows that only approximately half of older adults (65+) enrolled in Medicare are taking advantage of hospice’s expert end-of-life services.
Many people feel enrolling in hospice can signify “giving up,” but it’s often an opportunity to find peace and comfort. Too many of our neighbors and their families are missing out on this benefit (covered by Medicare and other insurance companies) that provides compassionate physical, emotional, and practical support for patients and their loved ones during this most difficult moment.
This month especially, we want to share our gratitude for our admissions staff, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers for the dedicated care they provide to our patients and families as they near end-of-life. At JSSA, we are honored to serve thousands of individuals and families every year in our hospice program.
Our supportive and compassionate staff and volunteers have a personal call to do this vital work. Their care today supports strength for tomorrow. Here is one of their stories.
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Mental Health First Aid Training Hits Milestone
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Adolescence is a time of critical change and development, and a time when mental health challenges may first emerge for youth. Students struggling with mental health issues may experience falling grades and relationship issues or may turn to substance abuse.
An innovative new program developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is offering an innovative new way to help detect mental health struggles for teens: Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). JSSA is proud to collaborate with key partners to bring this critical resource to Montgomery County Public Schools.
We are pleased to share 25 students (ages 14-18) completed their training in October. The training provides teens with the skills to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers. JSSA plans to train 84 students this school year.
This initiative is sponsored by JSSA partner Our Minds Matter, and our collaboration is made possible by a Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) grant. We’re excited to be facilitating opportunities for youth to provide effective peer support as our communities continue to grapple with a youth mental health crisis.
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Support JSSA’s Employment Services Program, Earn Community Tax Credits
Donor Profile: Bob and Sharon Michelson
Bob and Sharon Michelson had been donating to JSSA’s hospice program for years when they received a postcard in the mail that caught their eye. The card offered a brief introduction to Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC).
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Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development offers qualified individuals and businesses who must pay Maryland State income taxes a way to give $500 or more to JSSA’s Employment Services and earn tax credits equal to 50% of the contribution.
Put more simply, a $1,000 gift to JSSA’s Employment Services program will mean a $500 tax refund thanks to CITC. These credits that are in addition to Federal and State deductions.
Bob and Sharon said donating to JSSA’s Employment Services program feels like a triple win – the couple can help people with disabilities find employment, support JSSA, and get a tax refund all with one gift.
“Helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs – it doesn’t get any better than that,” Bob said. “I feel like we’re doing something really great with our money.”
The Michelsons live in Prince George’s County. Guided by Tikkun Olam (repair the world), they hope their gifts can help JSSA continue to expand to offer more services in the National Capital Region.
If you are interested in making a CITC gift, please email citc@jssa.org.
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New from the JSSA Training Institute
As a trusted community health and social wellness agency, JSSA is proud to provide opportunities for our staff and mental health professionals at other organizations to learn the latest in evidence-based practices. Our next JSSA Training Institute session will focus on suicide prevention.
There are significant disparities in the suicide rates, disproportionately affecting underserved and understudied populations. Individuals who die by suicide are often seen by mental health or other healthcare care providers months, sometimes weeks, before taking their own lives. Yet, many healthcare providers do not screen routinely for suicide risk.
This session will explore validated screening tools that assist with having important conversations with clients. Trainers will explore how using evidence-based clinical pathways, specifically tailored to meet the needs of each setting, can ensure compassionate, patient-centered care.
DATE: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024
LOCATION: Virtual (link will be sent)
TRAINER: Lisa Horowitz, PhD, MPH
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Thank You JSSA Volunteers!
In the days before Rosh Hashanah, a team of volunteers delivered 496 New Year gift baskets to our neighbors in need. In a few days, volunteers will gather again to deliver Thanksgiving meal baskets to 125 families in the National Capital Region.
We’re so grateful to the work of our volunteers who continue to show up for their neighbors in need. From meal or holiday basket delivery, to event support, to routine visits with hospice patients, our volunteers do work that is central to our mission.
For more information about JSSA’s volunteer opportunities, please visit https://www.jssa.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
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The Ina Kay Building
200 Wood Hill Road,
Rockville, MD 20850
donate@jssa.org
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