Ursuline Caregivers ConferenceProvided Networking, Education and AffirmationApproximately 120 professional and lay caregiversgathered May 13, 2015 at Edgewood Country Clubfor an Ursuline Support Services conference,Stocking the Caregiver’s Toolbox: Techniques and Tips for Families and Professionals.

“Now more than ever, caregivers are searching for new and innovative ways to ensure they aredelivering compassionate care while also taking care of themselves,” said Ursuline ExecutiveDirector Tony Turo. “This conference was designedto bring caregivers together to share informationand network with each other regarding thechallenges common to all. From the commentsgathered after the event, it is fair to say that suchinformation and support are greatly needed todayas more and more people find themselves in therole of caregiver, whether by choice or by fate.”

The day featured a varied array of speakers toshare experience and ideas with attendees. Theimpressive roster of nearly one dozen presentersincluded keynote speaker Theresa Brown, PhD,RN, a clinical nurse and opinion columnist forThe New York Times; Marie Folino, Director ofCare Services for the ALS Association, WesternPennsylvania Chapter; Anne Kertz Kernion,owner/artist of Cards by Anne since 1986and former professor at both CarlowUniversity and Community College ofAllegheny County; Ray Landis, AdvocacyManager for AARP Pennsylvania; IvanaLiberatore, Investment AdvisorRepresentative and founder of IvanaLiberatore CPA, CFP® & Associates, anall-female tax and financial planning firm;Judy Matthews, PhD, MPH, RN, researchassociate in the department of health andcommunity systems in the School ofNursing and associate director of the

INSIDE...DIRECTIONS from the Executive Director ....................pg. 3

Ursuline Welcomes Six New Board Members ................pg. 4

Support UrsulineThrough Amazon Smile ............pg. 6

Ursuline, SSAJoin to OfferRepresentativePayee ProgramAmong the most critical concernsfor senior and disabled individualsseeking to maintain theirindependence is the ability tomaintain their financial affairs.Helping to meet this need, Ursulinenow offers a Representative PayeeProgram through its Checks & Balance Program (MoneyManagement/Volunteer Bill Paying.)

In place since 2014, the Rep PayeeProgram is available to appropriatereferrals who are agreeable to usingUrsuline in this capacity. Supportedby the Allegheny CountyDepartment of Human ServicesArea Agency on Aging, Checks & Balance is a volunteer-driveninitiative originally designed after an AARP model. Rep Payee is anadditional service within thisprogram now offered through aspecial agreement with the U.S.Social Security Administration.Ursuline can offer the same support

Payee cont. on page 2

SUMMER 2015

Mike Lee, USS Board Chair talkswith Keynoter Theresa Brown afterher session the morning of the conference.

Participants share resources on caregiving support during an afternoon session.

Heather Sedlacko of United Way (c) andRebecca Delphia of AARP (r) address aparticipant's question at the close of their presentation.Conference cont. on page 3

gerontology program at Pitt’s UniversityCenter for Social and Urban Research;Heather Sedlacko, Director of Programsfor Seniors and People with Disabilitiesfor United Way of Allegheny County;Lisa Story, LPC, founder and executivedirector of Hope Grows, a nonprofitorganization for caregiver support; AlisonStrome, MSCP, bereavement specialistfor the Good Grief Center and formertherapist at Gateway RehabilitationCenter; Nancy Zionts, Chief OperatingOfficer/Chief Program Officer for theJewish Healthcare Foundation; alongwith Diana Hardy, MSCP, NCC, LPC,Director of the Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support at UrsulineSupport Services. The conference, whichprovided continuing education credits for physicians, psychologists, nurses,attorneys, professional counselors, socialworkers, marriage and family therapists,human resources professionals, certifiedguardians and nursing home administrators, covered a wide-range of useful and practical topics. These includedcaregiver in the workplace, financial exploitation and related issues, end of life concerns and challenges, as well as social/spiritual challenges.

Equally important, the conference allowed participants toconnect with each other and share their concerns and practices.

“Whether gathered around our vendors’ exhibits, at lunch oreven between sessions, we could tell that the time available for networking encouraged sharing of innovative ideas as wellas personal experiences,” said Turo. “With so many caregiversoften feeling isolated and alone, we felt this was a keycomponent of the conference. From the feedback we’vereceived, it would appear this was a highly-valued part of the day-long experience.”

Sponsors for the conference were AARP Pennsylvania; United Way of Allegheny County; UPMC HealthPlan/UPMC Cancer Center; Highmark; Community Life;Westminster Presbyterian Church; Dollar Bank Foundationand the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

Page 2 All About USS – Summer 2015

Conference cont. from page 1

Nancy Zionts of theJewish HealthcareFoundation leadstwo sessions on thefoundation's end oflife initiatives andPOLST (Physician'sOrders for Life-Sus-taining Treatment).

Marie Folino of the ALS Foundation supplies concrete resources for caregiving support to those attendingher session.

Ray Landis of AARPprovides an updateon the organization'sadvocacy efforts onbehalf of caregivers.

as it does for its bill-paying clients but with the additionalcontrol and protection that comes with being the assigned rep payee.

“For those no longer able to manage their monthly financialobligations, they can request the support of a representativepayee through the Social SecurityAdministration,” said ProgramDirector Karen Tobin. “Throughthis recently added option,individuals granted this supportrelinquish all controls to theirmonthly benefits and bill paying;Ursuline assumes responsibility of the participant’s financialobligations and provides themwith a monthly stipend forpersonal incidentals.”

In some cases, Tobin added, the program receives referrals fromconsumers and caregivers about other potential assistanceregarding financial matters, including complex financialsituations that individuals cannot manage on their own. Aprogram representative meets with these consumers one-to-oneto assess their individual needs. If ever an individual’s needs

exceed the Checks & BalanceProgram’s offerings, the consumeris guided to the appropriateagencies and services in AlleghenyCounty which offer the differenttypes of assistance they need.

The Representative Payeecomponent is just another exampleof Ursuline’s commitment tohelping individuals age with graceand dignity.

Payee cont. from page 1

The Representative Payeecomponent is just anotherexample of Ursuline’scommitment to helping

individuals age with graceand dignity.

DIRECTIONSfrom the Executive Director

Handle with CareI saw a statistic recently that, well, surprisedme only because it didn’t surprise me. Itsaid that 95 percent of people will say they are caregivers. Some of these areprofessionals, such as nurses who toiltirelessly to bring comfort to their patients. Others are uncompensated—at leastfinancially—as they give generouslyof their time and effort to tend to aloved one, a neighbor, a friend or, inthe case of so many selflessvolunteers, a stranger who simplyneeds to know someone cares.

But something does surprise me. As critical as caregiving is in oursociety, and with so many individualsinvolved in the direct delivery of care, it baffles me why this activitythat touches so many lives, isn’t more widely acknowledged for its importance.

This was reinforced for me recentlyduring our daylong conference,“Stocking the Caregiver’s Toolbox:Techniques and Tips for Familiesand Professionals.” For sure, weoffered an impressive list ofpresenters, who discussed a number of topics meant to make the act andthe art of caregiving at least a little bit more effective and maybe even alittle bit less stressful.

But it was the many, manyconversations with attendees I had or,in some cases, simply overheard, thatleft the greatest impression on me.The stories I heard were, at the sametime, unique and universal. From theprofessional, I heard comments about innovations in caregiving andhow those innovations had mostlyimproved, but definitely changed,how care is given. But I also heardabout how, despite coming tocaregiving as a paid professional, none could avoid building a genuinebond with those who came to depend on him or her for a myriad of needs.

The stories from friends and family members were similar, but with two big differences. First, the emotional bond withtheir loved one was forged long before it became necessary to provide care. And second, they truly were forced to learn on the job; very few had formal training in caregiving, norcould most anticipate what an all-consuming and stressful

assignment they had, in many cases, thrust upon them.

But what all caregivers shared,besides the mental, emotional and physical strains, was a feelingthat they were somehow alone,unappreciated and misunderstood.And eventually it hit me: with 95percent of human beings sharing a common connection, thatconnection was as fragile as butterfly wings.

It was at that point that I realizedhow important it was to offer ourconference. Even more important, I realized how critical it is thatUrsuline not just continues to offerits programs and services, but thatwe recommit ourselves to being atrue champion for both caregiversand those who need care.

In the coming months, the staff,administration and board ofUrsuline will continue theirconversations begun over a year agoto provide our organization with anew and even more ambitiousstrategic direction than we’vepursued before. A cornerstone of our plan will be a commitment tocreate a community of caregiverswho support each other with ideas,with hands and, most importantly,with hearts.

I can think of no more noble pathfor us to follow.

Tony Turo

www.ursulinesupportservices.org Page 3

Lisa Story of Hope Grows (l) explains the health andrelaxation benefits of "essential oils" to Tony Turo atthe conference.

But what all caregiversshared, besides the

mental, emotional andphysical strains, was afeeling that they were

somehow alone,unappreciated andmisunderstood.

— Tony Turoexecutive director,

Ursuline Support Services

Page 4 All About USS – Summer 2015

Donna M. Doblick, partner in theAppellate Group of Reed Smith. Shejoined the law firm in 1996 and isalso affiliated with their Trial andLitigation groups. This is Ms.Doblick’s second stint on Ursuline’sboard where she previously served aschair. Prior to joining Reed Smith,Ms. Doblick served as a law clerk tothe Honorable Frank H. Easterbookon the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She alsoworked from 1993 to 1996 for Schopf & Weiss in Chicago inthe areas of antitrust defense and other commercial litigation.

Elisa C. Foster has been a Women’sLeadership & Mentoring Specialistat Robert Morris University since2014. Previously, Ms. Foster residedin Philadelphia, where she heldprofessional positions with theMelior Group, a marketing researchconsulting firm; the Urban League ofPhiladelphia; the Women’s BusinessDevelopment Center; and FairmountVentures, a consulting firm that works with nonprofitorganizations.

Keith R. Lagnese, MD, FACP is aclinical instructor in the Departmentof Medicine at the University ofPittsburgh School Medicine. Theformer president of the St. ClairHospital medical staff, Dr. Lagnesehas extensive clinical and professionalexperience, including his currentwork with Community Life inHomestead, a PACE program thatoversees all aspects of healthcare for an elderly underservednursing home eligible panel of patients.

Scott Marentay was promoted in2014 to chief operating officer ofHyperActive Techologies, aPittsburgh-based company QSR(Quick-Service Restaurant) drive-thru solutions provider. Mr. Marentayalso served the company as vicepresident of operations and directorof client services. Previously, he wasthe customer service manager forMicros Systems, Inc. Currently, he serves as a trustee for theEarly Learning Institute.

Louise Cavanaugh Sciannameois the vice president forcommunications and externalrelations for the PittsburghSymphony Orchestra. Ms.Sciannameo has an extensivebackground in public relations,communications and marketing,having worked in executivemanagement positions for Carlow University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Mercy Foundation, MellonFinancial Corporation and Carnegie Mellon University.

Kyle Steffen, an Army veteran whoserved in Afghanistan and earned theArmy Commendation Medal,Combat Infantry Badge and PurpleHeart, currently is the workforcedevelopment manager for VeteransLeadership Program of WesternPennsylvania. In this capacity, Mr.Steffen leads a team of employmentspecialists to help career-mindedveterans find meaningful jobs in the region. As of June 15,2015, Mr. Steffen will be moving to Allegheny HealthNetwork where he will serve as associate director of major gifts.

Ursuline Welcomes New Board Members

DONNADOBLIC

KELISAFOSTER

KEITHLAGNESE

SCOTTM

AREN

TAYLOUISEC

AVA

NAUGH

SCIANNAM

EO

KYLESTEFFEN

Ursuline Support Services is happy and honored to welcome six new board members,bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the organization.

“Ursuline is grateful that these six community leaders are willing to volunteer their time to help advance our mission,” said Ursuline Board Chair Mike Lee. “Their combined energyand expertise, added to that of our current board members, will strengthen Ursulineconsiderably as we seek to help the more vulnerable among us.”

The new board members are:

W E L C O M E

www.ursulinesupportservices.org Page 5

Dear Friends of Ursuline Support Services:

There exists a sometimes livelydebate among nonprofitorganizations—particularly thosewho provide direct services toindividuals facing difficultchallenges such as managing griefor providing care to others—as tohow much “like a business” weshould operate. On the one hand, the fear is that if anyorganization pays too much attention to the bottom line, itwill lose its soul by forgetting the mission and passion thatspawned its birth in the first place.

Yet, not to run any organization as cost-efficiently as possible, the other side argues, only dooms it to a never-ending pattern of stress: funds become tight, programs suffer and, eventually, the very ability for the agency tocontinue to exist is threatened.

This challenge is constant and presents itself to all nonprofits, regardless of size, mission or service area.

I am proud to share with youthat the Board, managementand staff of Ursuline has been,and shall remain, committed tomaintaining the proper balancebetween what we could call“head” and “heart.” In theWinter 2015 edition of thisnewsletter, I shared with youthat Ursuline has adopted anew strategic plan, fullyintegrating it with the GoodGrief Center and insuring anunified mission and vision.

I now wanted to share with you that we are taking the next steps toward putting our organization on as firm a footing as possible through the development andimplementation of an AnnualPlan. Still in its approvalprocess, I can share with youthat in the coming fiscal year,Ursuline Board and staff will be taking strategic steps toincrease and insure strong and

diverse revenue streams and thus improve our financialperformance, grow our volunteer base to strengthen many ofthe programs they support and expand our efforts in themarketing/communications area so that we might bettercreate awareness of the issues of caregivers and those in grief,thereby attracting greater support from the community atlarge and also key funders.

Our efforts in the marketing/communications area also willhelp us reach deeper into our communities to alert those whomight benefit from our services to learn more of ourprograms and expertise.

As we initiate our plan, we are looking for new andinnovative ways to expand our services. This will mean somerepacking and refocusing of some programs to better meetnew needs. For example, we are looking for ways to partnerwith businesses and other organizations to provide help with such issues as grief in the workplace or the growingphenomenon of employees who also are caregivers. We alsoare looking at the use of emerging technologies, with aparticular nod toward social media. We believe that such

tools as our web site,Facebook and Twitter willhelp us provide moreinformation more quicklywhile building a communityof individuals who sharesimilar challenges, questionand concerns.

These remain challengingtimes for for-profit andnonprofit organizations alike,requiring a steadfast pledge tomanaging organizations assmartly, efficiently andeffectively as possible. We atUrsuline are committed todoing just that but with apromise never to forget whywe are here in the first place:to help those who need us tonavigate life’s transitions.

With your continued support,we are confident in our abilityto meet that commitment.

Sincerely,Mike Lee, Chair

Message from the Ursuline Board Chair

These remain challenging timesfor for-profit and nonprofit

organizations alike, requiring a steadfast pledge to

managing organizations assmartly, efficiently andeffectively as possible.

— Mike Lee, board chairUrsuline Support Services

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDAdministrative Center2717 Murray AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15217

Phone: 412-224-4700FAX: 412-224-4717Toll Free: 1-888-474-3388

www.ursulinesupportservices.orgUnited Way Donor Designation Code: 281

Ursuline Support Services was awarded this Seal ofExcellence by the Pennsylvania Association ofNonprofit Organizations (PANO), under theStandards for Excellence.

Ursuline Support Services Registered with Smile.Amazon.comUrsuline Support Services is now registered withSmile.Amazon.com. For those of you who are frequentvisitors and users of Amazon.com, you can go into the site by way of Smile.amazon.com, and select Ursuline SupportServices from the list of registered charities or go to directly to the followinglink: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1401610. If you do, a 0.5% donation of your total purchase will be made to our agency!

It may not seem like a lot but, if you and all those you share this with do thisfor USS, it could mean quite a bit over several months or years. Give it a try!

Bookmark this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1401610 so all youreligible shopping will benefit Ursuline Support Services. Thank you!

MISSION:Ursuline Support Services helps individuals experiencing challenges posed by life’s transitions,

inspiring hope through protection, education, and advocacy.

INSIDE:Caregivers conference review and wrap-up

Ursuline welcomes six new board members

Ursuline & SSA offer a new representative payee program