Eldercare and math education programs win grants from Women Investing in Nebraska
With its goal to address critical community needs and to make a statewide impact with philanthropy, Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) has announced the 2015 recipients of its annual grant awards. One grant will help coordinate health care services for low-income and high-risk elders, and a second grant will help improve mathematics education for elementary school students.
Tabitha, which serves 28 counties in Nebraska with health care services for elders, was awarded $53,700 from WIN to begin a new program that will provide care coordination for adults age 65 and older who are especially at risk because of limited income, chronic or emergent health conditions, or psychosocial concerns. Called EngAGE by Tabitha, the program will provide individuals and their families with personalized support through consultation, advice and coordinated access to health care services.
“We are very grateful for this grant from Women Investing in Nebraska, which will absolutely help ensure the dignity, independence and well-being of elders in our community,” said Christie Hinrichs, president and CEO of Tabitha. “With EngAGE by Tabitha, we will educate our clients and their loved ones and will help them put a health care plan in place, so whatever life hands them they are knowledgeable, prepared, supported and loved.”
Hinrichs said EngAGE by Tabitha will help by providing care coordinators for clients who will conduct health and lifestyle assessments, develop individualized care plans, communicate with health care professionals and offer disease management education for patients and their caregivers. As necessary, care coordinators will also implement rapid response protocols to minimize the health complications of their clients.
Primarily Math, a program of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with objectives to transform K–3 mathematics education in Nebraska, was awarded $53,700 from WIN. An initiative of the Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education, the university will use the funding to offer the Primarily Math program to even more high-need school districts across the state. It helps teachers with their own knowledge of mathematics and improves the teaching of mathematics in primary school grades.
“Receiving this award is an honor because it provides us with the opportunity to continue to work with a group of outstanding individuals: the teachers charged with educating Nebraska’s children,” said Michelle Homp, research assistant professor with the UNL Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education. “We believe that no endeavor is more worthy, and we’re very grateful to Women Investing in Nebraska.”
Primarily Math will provide current K–3 elementary teachers with an innovative, professional development program containing 18 graduate credits, which will lead them to a K–3 Mathematics Specialist Certificate from UNL. The program is specifically designed to strengthen teachers’ own knowledge of mathematics and the teaching of mathematics, so they are best prepared to increase the mathematics achievement of their students.
“Women Investing in Nebraska’s investment in these two beneficial Nebraska organizations will mean that more elderly individuals will receive coordinated health care services and more elementary school students will receive great mathematics education in their classrooms,” said Lisa Smith, chair of the Women Investing in Nebraska executive committee. “It’s incredible to know what a difference these organizations will make in our state with these grants.”
Women Investing in Nebraska provides philanthropic support to Nebraska nonprofit groups that address critical community needs or make a significant impact in Nebraska. Established in 2011 by the University of Nebraska Foundation, it strives to engage, educate and empower women to become involved in philanthropy. Members include women of all ages and backgrounds from across the state and beyond who are passionate about Nebraska philanthropy.
Members of WIN make an annual gift, and all members then vote to grant 50 percent of their combined contributions to a Nebraska nonprofit organization and 50 percent to a University of Nebraska organization or group.
To learn more about Women Investing in Nebraska visit womeninvestinginnebraska.org or contact Director Sarah Carlson at 402-502-4113 or sarah.carlson@nufoundation.org.
