For Immediate Release
Easterseals Michigan Awarded Technology Grant from Comcast NBCUniversal to Enhance Trauma Services
Auburn Hills, MI, January 14, 2019
Media Contact:
Craig Sharum
csharum@essmichigan.org
248.475.6413
www.EastersealsMichigan.com
Easterseals Michigan Awarded Technology Grant from Comcast NBCUniversal to Enhance Trauma Services
Easterseals Michigan (ESM), a major provider of specialized trauma screening and assessments, was awarded a $14,000 grant from the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. With this grant, ESM will be able to improve technology for screening childhood trauma in hundreds of children and families at our Auburn Hills, MI location.
Childhood trauma is a pervasive, under-identified problem that can have a lasting impact on all aspects of a person's life, including physical health, attachment and relationships, emotional responses and behaviors. Children who have experienced trauma and do not receive any form of treatment are three times more likely to have serious employment problems, three times more likely to experience depression, four times more likely to use substances and 15 times more likely to die by suicide.
“Through the adoption of various technologies, Easterseals Michigan is able to enhance services, increase its reach to the community, and improve the lives of those we serve,” said Clarissa Hulleza, Easterseals Michigan’s Senior Vice President of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer. “Below are just a few of the technologies we use, and their benefits:
- Electronic health record – With access to an individual’s clinical record from any web browser where an Internet connection is available, information is readily available to ESM staff for 24/7 support and intervention.
- Mobile technology – ESM staff is provided with devices such as laptops, notebooks, tablets, and iPhones (with data plans for personal hot spots) to increase service provision in the individual’s home or community.
- Telehealth – Our telehealth solution eliminates transportation barriers to treatment, and allows ESM to outreach to isolated populations, or to people who have transportation challenges.”
The overall goal of the grant will be to assess children/families for significant trauma, connect them to vital treatment, assist caregivers with understanding and impact of trauma through family training supports, and demonstrate marked improvement over the course of treatment.
“The grant provides us the resources to be innovative through integrating evolving technologies to better serve children, adults and families,” says Brent Wirth, president and CEO of Easterseals Michigan.
"We believe in the power of technology and are delighted to support Easterseals Michigan in its mission to improve the lives of those they serve,” said Maria Holmes, director of community impact for Comcast's Heartland Region, which is headquartered in Michigan. "We've been proud to work with Easterseals on a number of assistive technology initiatives that make a difference in the lives of so many Michigan residents and we look forward to their continued partnership."
This grant from the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation is in recognition of Comcast’s commitment to the communities where its customers and employees live and work. Since its founding in 1999, the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation has distributed more than $163 million in cash support of programs implemented locally in Comcast communities.
ABOUT EASTERSEALS MICHIGAN
For nearly 100 years, Easterseals Michigan has been the indispensable resource helping to define and change the way people live with, and view, disability. As a leader in addressing the disabilities of the 21st century that affect 1 in 4 individuals and their families, Easterseals Michigan empowers more than 10,000 people annually to live more independent lives.
Whether the challenge is behavioral, physical, social or intellectual, Easterseals Michigan adapts to the unique needs of each person. With locations in Auburn Hills, Center Line, Royal Oak, Pontiac, Southfield, Waterford, Walled Lake, Flint and Grand Rapids, Easterseals continues to grow and adapt to the needs of local communities.
Through a continuum of services including, but not limited to, early childhood intervention, substance abuse services, occupational therapy, senior services and recreational programs including the Miracle League of Michigan and Miracle Dance, Easterseals Michigan creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can thrive in their own communities.
For more information, contact Easterseals Michigan at 1.800.75.SEALS and visit www.eastersealsmichigan.com.
