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Nearly Half a Million Young People Are Quitting E-cigarettes Through Text: First-of-its-kind program from truth® is helping young people quit vaping nicotine

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/qb2xLRu2VOQ E-cigarette use among young people remains at epidemic levels with nearly one in five high school students using e-cigarettes and approximately 40% of users doing so on a regular basis, according to recent data. What can be done to turn around this troubling trend? Text message programs are available to help young people on their quitting journey. This is Quitting from truth is a free and anonymous text messaging program designed to help young people quit vaping nicotine. The first-of-its-kind quit program incorporates messages from real young people like them who have attempted to, or successfully quit, e-cigarettes. Results from a clinical trial demonstrate the effectiveness of the program and found that This is Quitting from truth increased quit rates among young adults aged 18-24 by nearly 40% compared to a control group. How it works To enroll in This is Quitting, teens and young adults can text DITCHVAPE to 88709. The first messages they receive will ask for their age and product usage so that they are able to receive relevant messages. Users receive one age-appropriate message per day tailored to their enrollment date or quit date, which can be set and reset via text message. Those who are not ready to quit receive at least four weeks of messages focused on building skills and confidence. Users with a quit date receive one week of messages prior to that date and at least eight weeks of messages after their quit date. Throughout the program, users can text COPE, STRESS, SLIP or MORE to receive instant support. Upon completion of the program, users receive periodic text messages from truth and may continue to use supportive keywords for as long as they like. For more information, visit TRUTHINITIATIVE.ORG Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

July 11, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Lauren Lawson-Zilai Joins Shatterproof® as Senior Director, Media and Public Relations

Shatterproof

Lauren Lawson-Zilai has been appointed to senior director, media and public relations of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. She joins the organization in a new position to develop and implement a national communications and media strategy to advance public awareness of Shatterproof. In this role, Lawson-Zilai will position the organization and key leadership as thought leaders, garner awareness nationally and in key markets, and manage key partnerships with the media. Lawson-Zilai joins Shatterproof after spending the past 15 years with Goodwill Industries International as head of public relations and as a spokesperson. In that role, she led strategic communications for North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for millions of people with disadvantages and disabilities. During her tenure, she launched Goodwill’s first influencer marketing program, which included notable engagements like the BeyGOOD campaign with Beyoncé as well as celebrity and ambassador relationships with PBS’ Matt Paxton, TODAY Show’s Evette Rios and Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. She also led the public relations for two long-running public service campaigns between Goodwill and the Ad Council, known as the “Bring Good Home” and “Donate Stuff, Create Jobs” campaigns. Within the last year, she was instrumental in launching Rising Together™, a unique initiative to equip 1 million people with sustainable careers by 2025 and securing partnerships with global philanthropic partners and Fortune 50 companies such as, Bank of America and Google. “Lauren Lawson-Zilai is joining Shatterproof at a critical time as we see addiction and overdoses grow in our country. In 2021, there were nearly 108,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S.—the most ever recorded, and a 15% increase over 2020. This is in addition to the more than 99,000 Americans who died in 2020 from alcohol-related causes. Shatterproof is dedicated to ending the devastation caused by this disease, and its focus is on revolutionizing addiction treatment, ending stigma and shame, and educating and empowering communities,” shared Kirsten Suto Seckler, chief marketing and communications officer at Shatterproof. “Lauren will help make sure that more families across the country are aware of life-saving resources being developed by Shatterproof and she will help break down the stigma of addiction in our country.” Lawson-Zilai has spent most of her career using marketing and communications to drive social change and impact and elevate the brand awareness of mission-driven nonprofit organizations in both paid and pro bono capacities. She was recently recognized as Ragan Communications’ Top Women in Communications. She is also a recipient of the Top Women in PR Award from PRNews and a Washington Women in Public Relations PR Woman of the Year (WWPR) honoree. She has received industry awards from the Association of Women in Communications, the Mobile Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and SMARTIES for her work. In addition, she served on the PRSA Voices4Everyone taskforce, which focused on inclusive, civil discourse through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), civic engagement, and combating disinformation and civility, and steered the strategic direction of WWPR as part of its advisory council. Lawson-Zilai is currently a member of the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Women’s Advisory Board, the Editorial Advisory Board for Ragan Communications and PR Daily, the National Press Club Communicators Committee, the Board of Advisors for the National Digital Roundtable and the President’s Leadership Council for Lycoming College, her alma mater. About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ or follow them on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. Contact Details Shatterproof Press +1 240-910-5483 press@shatterproof.org Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

July 11, 2022 03:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time

‘Ready for Ron’ Releases Research Illustrating Growing Positive Sentiment for DeSantis

Ready for Ron

Today, Ready for Ron, a draft committee encouraging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to run for President, released research it commissioned from Impact Social showing growing support for Governor DeSantis. The report shows positive sentiment for Governor Ron DeSantis grew 8 points from an earlier analysis released last week. Impact Social researchers analyzed the publicly available social media discussion in relation to Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump among swing voters from June 15 to June 29, 2022. Additional reports are expected every two weeks. Previous reports can be found here. “We carried out detailed language analysis of US social media discussions back to May 2016 to capture social media users into a database of 40,000 swing voters,” explained Phil Snape, Director at Impact Social. “With 40,000 participants, we are operating what is likely the world’s largest focus group – as big as a Football stadium.” The summary of Impact Social’s second report states: The last fortnight has been a productive period for Ron DeSantis which has seen his net sentiment jump 8 pts (-14 to -6) among floating voters. Within the positive conversation (+2pts 19 to 21), those hoping to persuade DeSantis to run for president will be delighted to see the leading topic within this discussion is how they prefer DeSantis to Trump (33%). It is worth emphasizing these opinions are posted without coercion or provocation. These floating voters are merely stating online how they favor the younger man as their next president. A small percentage (4%) are even outing themselves as Democrats before volunteering their support should DeSantis stand. Intriguingly, there is a feeling among his supporters that a sense of momentum is developing around his potential presidential candidacy. They speak excitedly about a poll in NH, an ‘endorsement’ by Elon Musk or simply muse that DeSantis’ ‘is where the smart money is’, that ‘Dems want Trump because they can’t beat DeSantis’ or that Fox will happily anoint him as leader of the GOP when the time arises. A downward trend in the number of negative posts against DeSantis (-5pts 33 to 27) will be welcomed by his camp. Yet their boss continues to take hits from across the political spectrum as some GOP voters see him as too right wing and pine for a leader dedicated to smaller government. That said, the majority of criticism stems from the left who see DeSantis as an overbearing authoritarian. They use DeSantis’ recent decision not to order Covid -19 vaccination for FL kids as a prime example of what he is capable of. This, together with perceived attacks on LGBT rights and support for gun laws increases anxiety among the left many of whom see him as a danger to America. All of which, given the ideological standpoint of the authors, might be music to DeSantis’ ears. “We are excited to see our efforts are paying off. Support for Ron DeSantis continues to grow. While we expect the attacks to increase, we are delighted his support base is increasing too,” explained Ready for Ron legal counsel and spokeswoman Lilian Rodríguez-Baz. “We are hoping to build one of the biggest grassroots movements ever, and with support growing like this, it will happen even more quickly than we anticipated.” Ready for Ron continues its TV and online advertising efforts to engage Americans to sign the petition at ReadyForRon.com to Draft Ron DeSantis to run in 2024. While ‘Ready for Ron’ is completely unaffiliated with the DeSantis campaign per federal regulations, it has taken the novel step of submitting a formal Advisory Opinion Request to the FEC seeking to share its growing supporter list with Governor DeSantis if the Draft succeeds and he announces his candidacy. Impact Social is a specialist social media, online monitoring, and analysis company. It uses big data software to track over 60 million online sites including Twitter, Facebook, all blogs, forums, and news websites. Whatever is said publicly, in the media or online it can follow live, 24/7 in 44 different languages. This is where reliance on algorithms ends. Once the data has been received its in-house experts read and analyze the content - often amounting to 1,000’s of individual posts. Impact Social’s unique methodology ensures unrivalled accuracy to show what has been said and its impact. Impact Social is the only company in the world providing this level of analysis. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with ‘Ready for Ron’ legal counsel, Lilian Rodríguez-Baz, or an Impact Social spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@readyforron.com Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@readyforron.com Company Website https://www.readyforron.com/

July 11, 2022 10:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Dr. Nirmal Joshi Named Chair of Patient Safety Authority Board

Patient Safety Authority

Governor Tom Wolf has appointed Nirmal Joshi, MD, FACP, as chair of the Patient Safety Authority (PSA) board of directors. Dr. Joshi succeeds Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General for Pennsylvania, who served as PSA’s board chair for the past year. An internal medicine physician, Dr. Joshi brings extensive experience in clinical quality, patient safety, research, and executive leadership to the role. He currently serves as the chief medical officer of Population Health for Mount Nittany Health System in State College. He is also president of the Joshi Health Foundation in Mechanicsburg—a nonprofit organization he founded to provide free healthcare to those who are unable to afford it. In 2016, Becker’s Hospital Review recognized him as one of “100 hospital and system CMOs to know.” He was also named one of “150 Living Legacy Contributors” to the Capital City by the Harrisburg SusqueCentennial Commission. Dr. Joshi has served on the Board of Asian Indian Americans of Central PA and the State Board of Medicine and has helped start new health systems in India where he began his medical education. Dr. Joshi received his Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery from King George Medical College and fellowship training in infectious diseases from the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “My special interests in clinical quality, patient safety, and improving physician-patient communication align with PSA’s work to bring awareness of issues and advance best practices in patient safety,” said Dr. Joshi. “I am honored and pleased to lead an organization that is driving these ideas and offering solutions in Pennsylvania and around the globe.” “Dr. Joshi’s passion for clinical quality and patient safety, his extensive experience in executive leadership, and his humanitarian approach are a welcome addition to the PSA,” said Regina Hoffman, executive director. “We are very much looking forward to having him at the helm.” Today, Pennsylvania leads the country in patient safety advocacy as the only U.S. state that requires healthcare facilities to report harmful events, as well as those that do not result in patient harm (i.e., near misses) but may be a harbinger of a potentially serious problem. The PSA analyzes those events, facilitates statewide performance improvement projects, and shares the information globally. The PSA is an independent state agency that collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm. http://patientsafety.pa.gov/ About PSA Established under the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act of 2002, the PSA, an independent state agency, collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm. http://patientsafety.pa.gov/ Contact Details Bev Volpe +1 609-230-4696 bev@madisongall.com Company Website http://patientsafety.pa.gov/

July 08, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sevita Named Among “America’s Best Employers for Diversity”

Sevita

Sevita, a leading national provider of home and community-based health care and support services, has been named by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity.” The recognition was presented to organizations that have demonstrated diversity in staffing and leadership, as well as being proactive in diversity and inclusion initiatives. This marks the second consecutive year that Sevita has been named to the list. “As an organization that values integrity, respect, inclusion, and growth, earning this distinction as one of the country’s most diverse employers is wonderfully important to us,” said Natasha Hudspeth, Sevita’s Chief Diversity Officer and VP of Talent. “We are an organization that puts people at the center of all we do. We believe that everyone deserves a safe, welcoming space where they can grow and thrive. This commitment to respect and inclusion extends to everyone in our community, from the people we serve to those we employ. Investing in programs that enhance the experience for our employees is a priority for us. We serve incredibly diverse populations, and the diversity of our teams reflects that. Better representation yields better outcomes for our team members, the individuals in our care, their families, and our communities.” According to Forbes, the publication “partnered with market research company Statista to compile [this year’s list]. To determine the ranking, Statista surveyed 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees and pinpointed the companies they identified as most dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.” Recent diversity-focused initiatives undertaken at Sevita include: The launch of an Inclusion Council to enhance the employee experience and fuel Sevita’s commitment and common purpose to provide quality care to those we serve A company-wide tour of listening sessions and focus groups across the range of experiences and professional levels of the organization to learn what helps employees feel most valued Investment in educational opportunities that will leverage an online learning library which has been made accessible to all employees “We continue to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at Sevita, and it is affirming that our team members are reporting that these actions have translated to their employee experience,” adds Hudspeth. Sevita was previously recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Employers by State” (2019; then operating as The MENTOR Network). Additional information about the methodology Survey participants were asked to rate their organizations on criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation equality, as well as that of general diversity. Responses were reviewed for potential diversity gaps. Statista then asked respondents belonging to underrepresented groups to nominate organizations other than their own. The final list ranks the 500 employers that not only received the most recommendations, but also boast the most diverse boards and executive ranks and the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives. ### Sevita is a leading provider of community-based specialized health care, inspired by our core values of respect, integrity, inclusion and growth. We provide people with quality services and individualized supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. We've made this our mission for more than 50 years. Today our team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000+ individuals we serve. Contact Details Melissa Patricio media@sevitahealth.com Company Website https://sevitahealth.com/

July 07, 2022 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

90% Of Consumers Under 40 Report Wanting Healthier, Eco-Friendlier Options — This Plant-Based Brand Says It’s Delivering

Simply Better Brands

Together, the companies state they have gamified Simply Better’s new line of CBD wellness products sold under the PureKana brand. The natural, non-GMO line of CBD-infused tinctures, capsules, topical treatments and gummies are available in a virtual storefront inside New Frontier’s Odds City. This year’s Deloitte Global 2022 Gen Z & Millennial Survey reported that 90% of younger consumers surveyed were making at least some effort to reduce their impact on the environment. At least 64% were willing to pay more for more sustainable or healthier products — opting for clean ingredients and plant-based products to fuel a more active and eco-conscious lifestyle. As younger consumers take a more holistic approach to health, wellness and the environment, companies like Simply Better Brands (OTCQB: PKANF) (TSXV: SBBC) say they are committed to delivering products that are meant to hit all the right notes: clean, all-natural ingredients, a focus on well-being and driven by a sense of purpose. Against Arguably Difficult Odds, Younger Consumers Still Shop With Purpose What perhaps stands out even more about the Deloitte report’s findings is the dedication of millennials and Gen Z to healthier, more environmentally conscious consumer habits. Compared to previous generations, millennials and Gen Z consumers are less financially secure. As wages seemingly stagnate and the cost of living increases, making those more informed and eco-conscious choices gets harder. Around half of Gen Z and millennial workers are living paycheck to paycheck. Over a third are working more than one job to cover costs. Despite these extreme financial constraints, these younger consumers are reportedly still prioritizing healthier, plant-based foods and brands across categories that are more purpose-driven. Often, delivering on that mission means prioritizing healthy, natural ingredients — even in beauty products, where 45% of millennials and 46% of Gen Z shoppers say healthy ingredients are among the top factors they consider when choosing what to buy. Simply Better Brands Says It Delivers Clean, Natural, Plant-Based Products Across An Expanding Portfolio Of Categories Simply Better Brand’s portfolio of brands offers products across the plant-based, holistic wellness and lifestyle categories. Its TRUBAR line of plant-based protein bars is aimed at consumers who want natural ingredients and balanced nutrition in a convenient, on-the-go snack. TRUBAR adheres to the strict nutritional guardrails of dairy-free, soy-free, no sugar alcohol, vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free expected by loyal consumers of the brand. Meanwhile, the company’s line of clean label beauty and skincare products No B.S. emphasizes safe, clean, science-based formulas for the skin by banning roughly 1,500 ingredients from its portfolio. Products are sold in recyclable packaging that minimizes waste, and the brand regularly partners with nonprofits and organizations driving social change like the She Recovers Foundation. The company reports selling across a range of channels, including e-commerce platforms, like Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) or Shopify Inc. (NYSE: SHOP) and traditional retailers like Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFM) and Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST). The cross-selling direct-to-consumer platform can also help brands reach more consumers who share their same passion for healthier choices while assisting consumers to more easily find the products and services that fit their conscious and informed buying habits. Simply Better Also Opens Shop In The Metaverse In February, Simply Better partnered with New Frontier Presents, a metaverse company in the emerging non-fungible token (NFT) and play-to-earn gaming market. The partnership signals a commitment to being truly omnichannel by breaking in early on the opportunities for metaverse shopping experiences. Odds City is a gaming ecosystem where users can earn NFTs and cryptocurrency from playing games. Now, they can spend those earnings at the virtual PureKana storefront and get real CBD wellness products delivered to their homes. Simply Better Brands Corp. manufactures and sells hemp-based cannabidiol related products in the United States. The company offers tinctures, capsules, gummies, oils, edibles, topicals, sprays, vape pens, pet treats, bath bombs, pet wellness products, and skincare and pet-care products as well as tees, hoodies, beanies, caps, and other related products. Simply Better Brands Corp. distributes its products through e-commerce website PureKana.com, as well as through retail stores, including larger retail chains and small independent retailers; wholesalers; and various brick and mortar retailers. The company was formerly known as PureK Holdings Corp. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Simply Better Brands Corp. is a subsidiary of Heavenly Rx Ltd. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Simply Better Brands ir@simplybetterbrands.com Company Website http://www.simplybetterbrands.com

July 07, 2022 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

First version of the SleepX APP has been uploaded to the Google Play Store

Appyea

SleepX, a subsidiary of AppYea (OTC: APYP) a Company that is focused on the development of accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring, announces that the first version of the SleepX APP has been uploaded to the Google Play Store. Without a wristband, the current version can be used for breath monitoring, snoring detection and intensity, as well as the amount of snoring per sleep session. The app also provides the user a breathing graph as well as a recording each sleep session. The app is available for free download for all versions of Android starting with version 7.0. "We decided to upload the first version for free, to increase people awareness of the importance of quality of proper breathing during sleep," said Bary Molchadsky, founder of SleepX and chairman of AppYea. “Poor sleep is associated with a compromised immune system, heart problems, reduced physical and mental performance, mood problems, obesity and many other health problems”, said Neil Kline, Founder & former CEO of the American Sleep Association, and a AppYea Board Member. “Unfortunately, most people with sleep disorder breathing problems, like sleep apnea, are undiagnosed and untreated. Our goal with this unique technology is to raise awareness and improve sleep quality so individuals can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.” Free download the SleepX APP for Android AppYea continues in-depth tests and calibration of DreamIT, its wearable data-driven wristband to treat snoring. The wearable contains a vibration motor and sensors that measure real-time physiological indications such as movement, pulse, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, etc. and send the data to the SleepX app on the user smartphone. Unique algorithms combine all data in real time and decide when to activate the vibration, at what intensity, and its duration. The gentle vibration takes you out of deep sleep into a lighter phase, a transition that trains user to breathe properly. Over a short amount of time, user’s brain and body use biofeedback to teach itself to sleep in the correct position and proper breathing technique on its own, leading to improved night breathing over time. At the user's choice, it is possible to receive comprehensive statistical reports on sleep quality and sleep health, as well as alerts about critical health changes that require consultation and follow-up. In the coming months, the company plans to launch the SleepX APP on the APPLE STORE for iPhone users and start marketing DreamIT. SleepX is an Israeli research and development company recently acquired by AppYea. The Company has developed a unique product for monitoring and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The technology is protected by several international patents and the Company plans to start serial production in 2022. The Company currently focuses its activities on the development and commercialization of its flagship product DreamIT. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein. No statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities. Although APYP believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to adverse economic conditions, intense competition, entry of new competitors and products, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, inadequate capital, unexpected costs and operating deficits, increases in general and administrative costs, unanticipated losses, financial condition and stock price, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans and other specific risks. APYP does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Neither APYP nor SLEEPX are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Contact Details AppYea inc. Bary Molchadsky +1 800-674-3561 info@appyea.com Company Website http://www.appyea.com

July 07, 2022 02:41 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sevita Chief Quality Officer Gerry Morrissey Inducted to Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame

Sevita

Sevita, a leading national provider of community-based health care and support services, is pleased to announce that our Chief Quality Officer, Gerry Morrissey, was inducted to the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame on June 22, 2022, at the JFK Library in Boston. Morrissey is the 2022 recipient of the John “Jack” Brett Champions Award, which is given annually to someone who has supported and improved the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. A lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities, Morrissey is a state and national human services leader and quality expert who devoted more than 30 years of his career to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including four years as assistant secretary for Disabilities and Community Services and more than a decade as commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services. He has led quality improvement for Sevita since 2007 across 41 states serving 55,000 individuals. "Special Olympics Massachusetts is so proud to honor Gerry Morrissey with the John "Jack" Brett Champions Award,” said Mary Beth McMahon, president and CEO. “Gerry has lived a life in the service of others, especially our neighbors with intellectual disabilities. Throughout his career from his time serving as the commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, and now with Sevita, Gerry has put the needs and rights of people with disabilities at the forefront. He has always been a champion for us as such, we are excited to honor him with the Champions Award." Morrissey is the sixth recipient of the Champions Award. Past recipients include former State Representative Jim Brett; U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh; Governor Charlie Baker; former Congressman Joe Kennedy; and State Senator Nick Collins. Morrissey is past president and board member of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities (NASDDDS) and the recipient of the Ben Censoni Excellence in Public Service Award. He is a longtime supporter of Special Olympics Massachusetts and served on the Board of Directors from 2000 – 2009. Morrissey currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, which awarded him the National Service to Youth Award, and remains an active supporter of and advocate for Best Buddies. “We are incredibly proud of Gerry for this incredible honor,” said Brett Cohen, chief operating officer for Sevita. “As a leader at the state and national level, Gerry’s influence and impact extends far beyond our organization and deep into the community, where his commitment to helping people live full and joyful lives of their own choosing, despite the challenges they face, is an example to us all.” ### Sevita is a leading provider of community-based specialized health care, inspired by our core values of respect, integrity, inclusion and growth. We provide people with quality services and individualized supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. We've made this our mission for more than 50 years. Today our team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000+ individuals we serve. Contact Details Melissa Patricio media@sevitahealth.com Company Website https://sevitahealth.com/

July 06, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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New Jersey Partners with Shatterproof® and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ to Launch Online Substance Use Disorder Treatment Reference Guide

Shatterproof

New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced today that New Jersey has launched a free, confidential, first-of-its-kind on-line tool to connect New Jerseyans in need with appropriate addiction treatment care and deliver user-friendly information about the quality of available programs. ATLAS, or Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform, at www.TreatmentATLAS.org, offers an easy-to-use dashboard to allow individuals with substance use disorder and their loved ones to search for and compare participating programs using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance accepted so they can find the best treatment for their unique needs. ATLAS was created by Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in America. ATLAS has been made possible in New Jersey through a partnership with Humane Services and funding from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. ATLAS evaluates addiction treatment programs’ use of evidence-based best practices and makes this information available to the public on its platform. Best practices are based on the Shatterproof National Principles of Care, which are evidence-based standards derived from the Surgeon General’s Report on Addiction, using data gathered through a combination of validated sources. “It’s vital to empower individuals and families confronting substance use disorder and help them make informed decisions,” Commissioner Adelman said. “This is yet another tool in our collective work to make addiction treatment as accessible as possible so individuals and families can get the help they need – because treatment works and recovery is attainable. Our goal, always, is to save lives. This is another way to do so.” ATLAS includes an assessment to help individuals understand the appropriate level of care they need. The platform also gathers and displays anonymous feedback from patients on their experiences at facilities. This feedback helps to inform others’ care decisions. Anyone who has received treatment from a facility in New Jersey can visit www.TreatmentATLAS.org to search for the facility and leave a patient review. ATLAS lists New Jersey addiction treatment facilities for various types of substance use disorder, including alcohol and opioid use disorder. “During a time when our nation’s addiction crisis is tragically at an all-time high and access to quality treatment is often hard to find, ATLAS is a critical new resource. When my son Brian needed addiction treatment, my family agonized trying to find him the right care. It was impossible to know who to trust,” Shatterproof Founder and CEO Gary Mendell said. “ATLAS is a sea change in the addiction world. It will give those in need and their families the transparent and trustworthy information my family never had and will help put more people on the path to recovery.” “Horizon is thrilled to be able to provide the funding needed to bring Shatterproof’s ATLAS to New Jersey,” said Suzanne Kunis, Vice President of Behavioral Health for Horizon BCBSNJ. “No one in crisis, dealing with substance use disorders, or worse, an overdose, should have to hope they guess right to find good care. The ATLAS Quality Measurement System gives New Jerseyans looking for treatment options the same kind of evidence-based quality and outcomes information they are used to getting about primary care doctors, specialists, and acute care hospitals. This is long overdue. We appreciate the providers who have joined us so far in sending a clear message that we are united here in New Jersey in our commitment to evidence-based treatment and to giving people meaningful information that helps them choose the right program and treatment partner.” ATLAS builds on existing efforts by New Jersey to connect individuals and families to treatment through the 1-844-ReachNJ helpline. ReachNJ is a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addiction hotline where people who have substance use disorders (SUD) or friends and family of people with SUD can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors. An individual who calls the toll-free number will reach a live staff member who will help connect them to treatment, regardless of insurance status. ATLAS is fully available in English and Spanish and has several unique features including: • Feedback from other patients once a minimum threshold of 20 responses for the facility is met, updated every 24 hours; • An expert-approved Addiction Treatment Needs Assessment, created in collaboration with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and OpenBeds, to help guide the treatment search based on the individual’s needs and severity; • The ability to search and filter using criteria such as location, services offered and insurance accepted, as well as the opportunity to compare facilities. About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org. Contact Details Shatterproof Lauren Lawson-Zilai +1 646-334-1024 press@shatterproof.org NJ Department of Human Services Tom Hester +1 609-292-3717 tom.hester@dhs.nj.gov Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

July 06, 2022 10:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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