$1.13 million grant for mental health needs

Posted on November 6, 2024 by The Dunmorean

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, in collaboration with AllOne Foundation & Charities and the Moses Taylor Foundation, is providing approximately $1.13 million in grant support through a newly-launched initiative to help increase the number of providers available to serve the increased number of clients with mental and behavioral health needs.

One of the main barriers to nonprofit service providers’ abilities to meet this increased demand is difficulty attracting and maintaining a sufficient regional workforce with these professional qualifications.

To help address this issue, the NEPA Health Care Foundation, established in 2011 and administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, established the Employee Assistance Grant program (EAP). The NEPA Health Care Foundation collaborated with the Moses Taylor Foundation and AllOne Foundation & Charities to support seven organizations providing mental and behavioral health services in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties with funding for staffing needs.

The EAP grants will be distributed over a three-year period to support their ability to sustain a sufficient level of qualified behavioral health providers to meet community demand. Specifically, they will help to minimize employee attrition, aid in new employee recruitment and support the long-term sustainability of the mental health provider workforce.

In response to an increased need for behavioral and mental health care services in the area, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation created this grant program as part of a three-year commitment to ensure continued support for these critical services.

The 2024 grantees are: Allied Services for an enhanced assistance program for behavioral health team members; Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA for launching an employee assistance program to retain and attract behavioral health employees; Children’s Service Center for an employee tuition and loan assistance program; Friendship House for the Friendship House ABA Program Staff Recruitment Initiative; Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania for investing in social workers; Scranton Counseling Center for the Scranton Counseling Center Employee Assistance Program expansion; and Volunteers in Medicine for the development of an employee assistance program in a nonprofit, free clinic setting. Over $400,000 in grant funding will be distributed in 2024 specifically to support the behavioral health care workforce.

In addition to the EAP program, the NEPA Health Care Foundation provides scholarships through its Careers in Care program to increase the number of nurses able to provide care to the communities they serve. These critical scholarships support the education and training of CNAs, LPNs and RN/BSNs in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. To date, 158 scholarships have been provided through Careers in Care.

Medical Assistant Program Offered

Posted on September 1, 2021 by The Dunmorean

Lackawanna College has received a $150,000 grant from Moses Taylor Foundation to launch a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certificate program at the main campus in Scranton and the Lake Region Center in Hawley. Funds from the grant will be used for the purchase of equipment and supplies for hands-on teaching laboratories and to upgrade lab equipment at the College’s Towanda Center.

“This grant will provide state-of-the-art equipment to students, giving them the hands-on experience, they need to enter the workforce as skilled medical assistants,” said Christine Martin, Program Director. “Thanks to the generosity of the Moses Taylor Foundation, Lackawanna College can meet Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s need for certified medical professionals.”

Lackawanna College’s program is matching the growing demand for medical assistants which stems from several factors includingan aging population, rising chronic disease rates, and advancements in healthcare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in this field are expected to grow 19% by 2029.

The certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certificate program at Lackawanna College is one of only a few of its kind available in Northeastern and Central Pa. For more information on the Lackawanna College medical assistant program, visit lackawanna.edu/certificates/.

Area YMCAs use grant to develop Chronic Disease Departments

Posted on February 1, 2017 by The Dunmorean

YMCA The Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs recently received a three-year, $125,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the implementation of the nationally recognized Diabetes Prevention Program, as well as the Chronic Disease Programs Departments at both Ys. The Ys are proud to announce the funding has allowed for the hiring of Shadia Lahlou, Senior Director of Chronic Disease Prevention, as well as Chronic Disease Programs Departments at both Ys.

Shadia Lahlou recently completed a Master of Science in Social Work degree at The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Health degree at The University of Texas Health Science Center. Shadia believes that health is a human right for all. She aims to integrate her clinical and macro skills, and social and environmental perspectives to address health disparities and promote health equity. Shadia’s experience spans practice, policy, and research and includes aging adults, childhood chronic illness, nutrition and physical activity, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental and behavioral health.

“Health starts in communities – the spaces where we live, work and play throughout our life course,” said Shadia.

“The new Chronic Disease Programs Department is reflective of the YMCA’s partnership with the community to prevent illness and enhance wellness. We are excited to announce that joining the YMCA’s diverse health initiatives is the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, which helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their chances of developing the disease through lifestyle change. I look forward to collaborating with community partners, and individuals and their support networks to foster a healthier community.”

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a program that helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. The program joins existing Chronic Disease Programs, creating Chronic Disease Programs Departments at each Y in an effort to more efficiently and effectively serve more people. Additional programs include EnhanceFitness, a proven community-based senior fitness and arthritis management program; LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a small-group program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis; as well as additional cardiac and wellness initiatives at both facilities.

For more information on Chronic Disease Programming at the Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs, contact Shadia Lahlou at shadia.lahlou@wbymca.org or 570-970-5052. Information can also be found at www.greaterscrantonymca.org or www.wbymca.org.