Lutheran Services in America

There are only two days left to register for our webinar Innovative Approaches to Measuring Impact in Lutheran Services in America Collaboratives! Hear from our partners and peers engaged in the Rural Aging Action Network and Family Stabilization Initiative, and find out how they are successfully using innovative approaches to impact measurement to support their work on the ground. Don't miss out. Register now to join the conversation!

Innovative Approaches to Measuring Impact in Lutheran Services in America Collaboratives Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.

We are thrilled to have several Lutheran social ministries included in Newsweek Magazine's inaugural list of America's Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Congratulations to The Hearthstone at Green Lake, Twin Lakes Community, Bethany Village, Solheim Senior Community, Lutheran Senior Services and Concordia Lutheran Ministries for being recognized for providing a continuum of care that allows older adults to thrive.

America's Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024 Newsweek has partnered with the respected global research firm Statista to rank America's Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities for the first time. This year, we are proud to award the leading 250 CCRCs in the United States.

The Lutheran Services in America network is well-positioned to build support for policies and funding that advance health and opportunity for all people. Join us on December 14 for a conversation with Dr. John J. Dilulio and Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies, who were instrumental in setting up the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives. Find out more about how to make faith-based, community-driven solutions at the heart of our national response to poverty.
https://ow.ly/SsAa50QbH2U

If you are thinking about how to make a difference for rural older adults and advance race equity in family stabilization, join us on December 7 for an insightful webinar featuring Jackie Aman of Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Research and Rose Johnson & Sarah Mihich of Transform Consulting Group. Discover the innovative approaches Lutheran Services in America members use in our Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN) and Family Stabilization Initiative (FSI) and how impact measurement shapes our collaborative work on the ground. Register today!

Innovative Approaches to Measuring Impact in Lutheran Services in America Collaboratives Innovative Approaches to Measuring Impact in Lutheran Services in America Collaboratives

Today we celebrate the for ! Join Lutheran Services in America and National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health in building awareness about the needs of communities. Check out our recent rural aging policy priorities agenda, which champions older adults and caregivers by advocating policies and funding that meet their unique needs for aging in rural communities.
https://ow.ly/MqVX50PYNZS

What a great morning at our Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise event at Bethel New Life in Chicago. Powerful testimony and compassionate community. Learning and growing together!

We're thrilled to welcome Sue Pechilio Polis as our new Vice President of Public Relations & Government Affairs! With 20+ years of experience in policy and systems change, Sue brings valuable leadership skills to drive our marketing, communications and advocacy efforts. Sue is passionate about our mission, stating, “The dedication of Lutheran Services in America aligns perfectly with my journey,” and looks forward to addressing the most pressing challenges facing our communities. Join us in welcoming Sue to Lutheran Services in America!

Lutheran Services in America Welcomes Sue Pechilio Polis as Vice President of Public Relations & Government Affairs WASHINGTON — Lutheran Services in America, a national network of 300 health and human services provider organizations that cultivates caring communities to advance health and opportunity for all people in the United States, announced the appointment of Sue Pechilio Polis as vice president of publi...

We salute our nation's veterans for their courage and strength. To all our men and women in uniform: thank you for your service.

A growing number of older adults want to age in the home and community of their choice. Our Rural Aging Action Network is working to connect older adults in rural Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota to community-based services to make that happen. Together with our members Immanuel Lutheran Communities, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, LSS of South Dakota, Missouri Slope and St. John's United, we're making a difference.

LeadingAge23: Connecting Rural Communities to Aging Services The Rural Aging Action Network is building partnerships to provide services to older adults in rural communities.

Rural communities face unique challenges in providing the care and support needed for older adults to age in place. Today The Commonwealth Fund released a report that sheds light on innovative approaches to the health care challenges facing rural communities across the country, including our Rural Aging Action Network. David Trost of our member St. John's United aptly states in the report, "It's the number-one challenge rural communities are facing."

The report highlights the efforts of RAAN members like St. John's United and Missouri Slope that are meeting this challenge head-on through partnerships with health care organizations, home health agencies, transportation companies, and others to identify local resources.

Reier Thompson of Missouri Slope emphasizes the ripple effect of supporting older adults in rural areas: "If we can continue to help them stay at home, stay well longer, we can help these communities thrive."

Helping Older Adults Age Well in Rural America With fewer health care providers, professional caregivers, and young people than in urban areas, rural communities struggle to care for aging residents.

Have you heard? Nominations for our 2024 Leadership Awards are open! Celebrate outstanding work and leadership in our network by submitting your nominations for someone at your organization or a peer at another Lutheran social ministry for one of three awards:

-- The Innovator Award recognizes developers of new solutions and practices that benefit the entire network.

-- The Micah Award honors those who exemplify Micah 6:8, leading in justice, mercy, and equity.

-- The Paragon Award pays tribute to leaders who lift up the next generation.

We'll celebrate each award recipient at CEO Summit 2024 in January. Don't let the nomination deadline sneak up on you. Share your nominations now!
https://ow.ly/CAWb50Q65kl

communities are wonderful places to live and work, which is why nearly 11 million older adults call them home! We're gearing up to celebrate the on , November 16. Explore our new video series and learn more about how Lutheran Services in America is cultivating caring communities to improve the lives of older adults in rural America.
https://ow.ly/qMaC50PYNUT

At Lutheran Services in America, our goal is to reduce the disproportionate number of children of color who are separated from their families. Our new toolkit developed in partnership with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago offers best practices for implementing evidence-based programming to sustain family stability. In the toolkit, you'll find:

☑️ Guidelines for creating a learning collaborative​
☑️Clear guiding principles for advancing race equity​
☑️ Key components for equity-centered sustainability
☑️​List of barriers to addressing race equity​
☑️ Examples of diversity in partnership and asset mobilization​
☑️Steps and messaging for effective change management

Check it out!

Toolkit Centers Racial Equity in Sustaining Family Stability – Chapin Hall Policy research that benefits children, families, and their communities

A big shoutout to our incredible corporate partner Johnson Kendall Johnson whose team we had the pleasure of sharing a moment with at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting. Partners like JKJ are vital for our mission to empower older adults in underserved communities. With their support, we're rewriting the narrative for older adults across America. Thank you, JKJ, for being an integral part of the journey!

Lutheran Services in America recently submitted comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider its proposed rule for minimum staffing requirements at skilled nursing facilities. Today, Lutheran Services in America president and CEO Alesia Frerichs issued a response to the proposed mandate and its effect on the workforce crisis and access to care for older adults, especially those in underserved communities.
https://ow.ly/pl5M50Q4Hpf

It was wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Chicago! Together as a national network, we're advancing services and supports for older adults to age with independence, dignity and purpose all across the country.

More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, serve as family caregivers for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend in the United States. November is National Family Caregivers Month. We want to recognize all family caregivers and our Lutheran Services in America members who support them in their selfless roles.

We’re excited to celebrate the on (Nov. 16)! Join us in recognizing the spirit of America and the efforts of healthcare providers and stakeholders addressing unique challenges. Since 2015, Lutheran Services in America has reached over 4,000 older adults and caregivers in more than 100 rural communities. Learn more about our Rural Aging Action Network and the incredible people in the communities we serve!
https://ow.ly/6bHe50PYNw8

Join us for our event Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise, Nov. 14-15 at Bethel New Life, where we'll explore how listening and valuing lived experiences can revolutionize our approach to supporting families facing housing insecurity and other social challenges. Dr. Denicia Carlay from Spark Learning for Organizations will lead us in a session featuring several advocates and practitioners with lived experience, including Sharif Walker of Bethel New Life, Héctor Colón of Lutheran Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI, Tamela Milan-Alexander of EverThrive Illinois, Dr. Anne Farrell of Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, and many others. Register now to secure your spot!

Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise

Our new Family Stabilization Toolkit is now available! Developed in partnership with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, this toolkit includes strategies and resources to advance racial equity in child welfare. Download the toolkit and find out more during our webinar tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.

Toolkit Centers Racial Equity in Sustaining Family Stability – Chapin Hall Policy research that benefits children, families, and their communities

The Rev. Stacey L. Brady of Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland suffered from compassion fatigue, the prolonged exposure to someone else’s trauma that is shared by many senior living workers. Stacey went from compassion fatigue to resilience life coaching, vital in combating burnout, especially in senior services. With this lifeline of hope, Stacey and other aging services workers at Lutheran social ministries across the country can start anew and champion the needs of older adults.

Resiliency training can help combat compassion fatigue The COVID-19 pandemic exposed senior living and other aging services workers to unprecedented trauma and loss. As the world emerges from those dark days, workers now are exhibiting compassion fatigue, but resilience life coaching offers hope, according to the Rev. Stacey L. Brady.

Join us and Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago on November 1 for this free webinar session on how to expand sustainability beyond financing to advance comprehensive approaches that improve the lives children and families. Register today!
https://ow.ly/psOX50Q0BOr

Missed our webinar on managing healthcare costs? Catch up on critical insights from this session with Jon Nilson, senior director and healthcare actuary at WTW who delves into innovative strategies to balance costs and affordability. Stay ahead with our Strength & Service Series—curating expert insights to move your organization forward! Find more videos like this on our Vimeo and YouTube channels.

Tackling Healthcare Costs—Strategies to Manage Rising Costs While Maximizing Affordability for Staff Inflation and post-pandemic shifts in healthcare costs are putting substantial pressure on employers. Learn from Jon Nilson, Senior Director and healthcare a...

During this morning's breakfast session at the GIA (Grantmakers In Aging) conference in Austin, Lutheran Services in America's Ashley Washington led a dynamic discussion with 20 grantmakers on the critical topic of grantmaking strategies in rural and frontier communities. Ashley explored the unique approaches necessary to advance rural health and highlighted work from our Rural Aging Action Network that focuses on innovative approaches to do just that. Together with our expanding set of partners, we're paving the way for a healthier future for people across the country!

Join Lutheran Services in America and Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago on Nov. 1 as we share insights, learnings, and a new toolkit aimed at improving equity in child welfare. This conversation will focus on how to consider race as services are implemented and sustained based on findings from the Lutheran Services of America Family Stabilization Initiative. Register today!
https://ow.ly/gpIP50PYbWw

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and support inclusive employment policies and practices. This year's theme, "Advancing Access and Equity," speaks to the heart of our network's mission. Together, let's ensure that every person has the opportunity to bring their unique talents to the table.

Interested in hearing from some of the most exciting voices in healthcare on breakthrough ideas for building tomorrow’s healthcare workforce? Mark your calendars for Sanford Health’s 2nd Annual Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care happening on Wednesday, October 18 via livestream. Learn more and register: https://www.sanfordruralhealthsummit.org/.

Lived experience is a powerful thing. We can all benefit when we honor and value the lived experience of others. Join us at our event Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise, Nov. 14-15 in Chicago, where we will create a space to explore the power of lived expertise and uncover the best ways to champion children and families in need of support. This FREE event is led by Dr. Denicia Carlay of Village Is Possible and Spark Learning for Organizations and hosted in partnership with our member Bethel New Lifeand the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Registration closes Friday, Oct. 13, so sign up today!

Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise Unlocking the Power of Lived Expertise

Join the Lutheran Services in America team and Chapin Hall on November 1 for this insightful panel discussion. Discover our approach to bolstering prevention programming and addressing disproportionality in child welfare.

Join Chapin Hall for a panel discussion with Lutheran Services in America as we explore a new toolkit for program sustainability and integrating race in the implementation of evidence-based programs: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eWOHDfVTRIG3o4WYR3vCiA #/registration
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You’ll gain insights into LSA's approach to strengthening prevention programming and combating disproportionality in . They’ll share their experience integrating wraparound service models, facilitating a cohort of leaders, and fostering a committed national network.

Our recent kick-off of year 4 of our Results Network continues our journey to transform communities. By coming together, we're exploring what it will take to stabilize families in their communities. Our goal: to keep families together and ensure that children do not enter out-of-home care. Here's how it works: Participating organizations tap into a wealth of knowledge from our members and national thought leaders, develop new approaches to achieve results and engage partners, and identify barriers to improving equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families. Let's keep the momentum going!

Results Network: A Journey to Transform Communities by Cultivating Caring Communities Results Network: A Journey to Transform Communities by Cultivating Caring Communities

A special shout-out to our member Inspiritus for being awarded nearly $10 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of a $160.1 million initiative to create and preserve affordable housing for low-income older adults. With these funds, Inspiritus will create 80 units, enabling low-income older adults to live independently in an environment that provides support services, such as nutrition, transportation and health-related services, to meet their unique needs. We congratulate the team at Inspiritus for their exceptional work and celebrate this achievement in our collective pursuit of a brighter, healthier future for all!

HUD Awards $160.1 Million in Grants to Create and Preserve Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors HUD No. 23-227 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685 FOR RELEASE Tuesday October 3, 2023 HUD Awards $160.1 Million in Grants to Create and Preserve Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors Funding supports the creation and rehabilitation of affordable multifamily rental housing and project-based rental...

You're invited to our special convening November 14–15 in Chicago led by Dr. Denicia Carlay and Spark Learning for Organizations. Join with peers to co-create a space where we will reflect on the power of lived expertise and explore ways to infuse, value and engage people with lived experience throughout our work to advance equity for families and children in our communities. Don't miss out on this enriching experience! Register now and secure your spot.

https://lutheranservices.org/event_date/lived-experience/

Navigating the intricacies of a multi-generational workforce can be challenging. Join us October 24 for our Strength & Service Series session with Dr. Ingrid Provident of Select Rehabilitation to discover the best strategies for managing and communicating across generational differences. Don't miss this opportunity to build a more harmonious and productive team! Register today.

Understanding and Motivating the Multi-Generational Workforce Understanding and Motivating the Multi-Generational Workforce

At Lutheran Services in America, we're catalyzing innovation and impact across our national network to make a collective, measurable difference in the lives of our leaders, communities and people. Will you join us on this journey?
https://vimeo.com/706553825

Innovation at Lutheran Services in America We're hoping you can join us on this journey to impact lives across the country.

Our Strength & Service Series webinars are designed to help you stay in the know on new and evolving practices and resources with a broad line-up of topics and subject matter expertise. Revisit our session with Dr. Dora Hughes, who shared how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging innovation to advance health equity in rural and underserved communities, and our members Knute Nelson and Lutheran Family Services on their population health strategy.

A Conversation with Dr. Dora Hughes, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services A Conversation with Dr. Dora Hughes, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

When we listen, support and value people with lived experience, we unlock new ways of thinking together. Whether you're a direct service practitioner, community leader, executive, volunteer or church leader, we invite you to a transformative convening on November 14–15 in Chicago, where we'll uncover the best ways to champion children and families in need of support with housing insecurity, underemployment and other challenges.

Led by Dr. Denicia Carlay and Spark Learning and hosted in partnership with our member Bethel New Life and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we'll create a space to explore the power of lived experience. Registration is free, so don't miss out on this chance to be a part of a powerful movement towards equity and positive change. Sign up today!

Unlocking the Power of Lived Experience Unlocking the Power of Lived Experience

Lutheran social ministries have a long history of caring for all people, and that is best exemplified by the dedicated direct support professionals (DSPs) who work every day to support others — DSPs like Michaela McIlravy, who works diligently not only to empower those in need but to support her peers at Lutheran Services in Iowa on reaching their goals. Lutheran Services in Iowa nominated her for a DSP award for her incredible work (included in the nomination ceremony this year was a quilt made with the past 10 years of DSP shirts!). Congratulations, Michaela! You are one of many direct support professionals who deserve to be celebrated, this week and every week.