After more than six years at Moses Taylor Foundation, Jeff Smith is leaving the organization this month. During Jeff’s tenure, he led the Foundation’s community needs responsive grantmaking portfolio and strengthened our focus on nonprofit capacity building. For many in our local community, Jeff has been the face of Moses Taylor Foundation and his contributions to the organization are significant.
As we wish Jeff well in his new chapter, we look forward to the opportunities ahead. First and foremost, we begin the search for a Program Officer to manage our community needs grant process.
Please take a moment to review the downloadable job description and share with anyone you know who may be interested in the position. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their application no later than January 15, 2023.
We are excited to welcome a new team member in 2023 as we continue to fulfill our mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. If you have any questions during this time of transition, you may contact me directly at dbreslin@mosestaylorfoundation.org.
Danielle Breslin President and CEO Moses Taylor Foundation
2022 CEP Results
Dear Community Partner,
I am a firm believer in the power of listening to community and making data-driven decisions. Most often, foundations focus on analyzing grantee data regarding the efficacy and impact of nonprofit organizations' work in community. Yet, we too must pause and take stock of the effectiveness of our organization.
When I joined Moses Taylor Foundation earlier this year, I was excited to learn that data from a second Grantee Perception Survey was being analyzed by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). The purpose of the survey was to assess the Foundation’s impact, communications, and processes to help us improve our effectiveness. The survey captured anonymous data from 55 active grantees and compared that data to results from the initial 2017 survey, as well as a comparison group of similar foundations from across the country.
I am proud to be part of an organization focused on continuous improvement and to share with you a brief summary of the findings from the most recent survey. A copy of the full report can be accessed below.
Areas of Significant Improvement
Grant selection process that strengthens the organization/program funded
Understanding of the local community
Straightforward, relevant reporting process that gives grantees an opportunity to reflect and learn
Advanced the state of knowledge in the fields in which our grantees focus
Areas of Continued Strength
Openness to ideas from grantees
Transparency and candor
Impact on local community and understanding of beneficiaries’ needs
Awareness of challenges faced by organizations, including social, cultural, and socioeconomic factors; and funding priorities that reflect understanding of these challenges
Areas of Potential Opportunity
Deepen contributions to discussions related to evaluating the work funded
Increase unrestricted and/or multi-year funding
Make space for proactive and/or more consistent outreach and communications
Whether or not you participated in the survey or have ever received funding from the Foundation, I am always eager to hear your feedback regarding how Moses Taylor Foundation can further advance our mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Click here to read our full 2018 report from The Center for Effective Philanthropy
10th Anniversary Celebration
On November 3, we proudly celebrated our 10th anniversary with community partners and friends and honored Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM with the Douglas G. Allen Leadership Award. Thank you to all who help fulfill our mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. To read the full event press release, click here.
From left to right: Douglas G. Allen, Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moses Taylor Foundation Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President and CEO of Saint Joseph’s Center Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation William R. Lazor, CPA/PFS, CFE, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moses Taylor Foundation
School Nurse Evaluation RFS Q&A Released
Moses Taylor Foundation is seeking the services of a strategic learning partner to help the Foundation develop an evaluation framework and lead evaluative work for the organization’s ongoing Support for School Nurses strategic initiative. Following the release of the full Request for Services on September 27th, interested applicants had the opportunity to submit questions prior to October 10th. To ensure a transparent process, a full transcript of submitted questions and the Foundation’s answers are now available here. The deadline to submit proposals for this work is November 1st
Evaluation RFS Released
Moses Taylor Foundation is seeking the services of a strategic learning partner to help the Foundation develop an evaluation framework and lead evaluative work for the organization’s ongoing Support for School Nurses strategic initiative. The full Request for Services can be viewed by clicking here. The deadline to submit proposals for this work is November 1st and questions can be directed via email to cmarcos@mosestaylorfoundation.org prior to October 10th.
From the Desk of a School Nurse: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Have a Healthy School Year
Submitted by: Dr. Lynn Heard, DNP/CSN, School Nurse, North Pocono School District
Back to school season is upon us! It's time to get organized and ensure your child is ready for a successful school year. One important part of preparing for back to school is understanding the role of the school nurse and the value they bring to the educational experience. School nurses are committed to keeping students healthy and safe, and, with the support of parents and caregivers, they can help your child have a great year. Here are five things you should keep in mind as you prepare for back to school.
First, remember that the school nurse is a highly-trained resource. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's health, don't hesitate to reach out to the nurse. They can offer guidance and support on everything from managing chronic conditions to dealing with minor illnesses and injuries. School nurses also provide in-school vision and hearing screenings and can even refer or connect students to longer-term healthcare services.
Second, keep up with immunizations, preventive healthcare, and dental visits. Children entering certain grades are required by the state to have mandated health services — not just vaccines, but medical exams, dental exams and scoliosis screens. Make sure your child is up-to-date before the start of the school year. If you haven’t already done so, call your healthcare provider now to ensure your child can be scheduled for a visit in the next few weeks. Check out www.health.pa.gov for details about state-mandated health requirements, or ask your child’s healthcare provider.
Third, make sure your child has a regular doctor/healthcare provider and dentist they can see for routine check-ups and sick visits. Regular preventive care visits are key to identifying and addressing a health issue before it becomes a crisis. A consistent provider can help better understand your child’s health over time and relay important information to your child’s school nurse. If you need help finding a doctor, healthcare provider or dentist in your community, ask us!
Fourth, keep your school nurse in the loop. Along with teachers, school nurses are an integral part of the health care team and educational experience. If you communicate with your child's teacher via email, copy your school nurse if applicable. Along with notifying the school nurse about health changes like medication adjustments or a medical diagnosis, big life events can also affect a student's overall mental health, wellbeing, and life choices. Let your school nurse know about life events like a change in family structure (marriage or divorce), death of a pet, struggles with peer pressure, etc. Your child's school nurse can provide better care if they're aware of the big picture in a student's life.
Student health is like a jigsaw puzzle. The finished picture looks completely different if even a few pieces are missing! Your school nurse wants to hear from you, so consider an email or a quick phone call if something big — or small — is going on.
Finally, please keep your child home from school when they are sick. We know the past two years have been exceptionally difficult for parents, and school nurses are so appreciative of the collective efforts of so many. But we aren't out of the woods yet. Keeping a sick child home rather than dosing them with medicine to get through the day also helps them recover more quickly and prevents the spread of illness to other students.
The start of the school year is a new beginning. It's also the perfect time to reach out to your child's school nurse, initiate a connection, and be aware of the ways your child’s school nurse is an active advocate for student health — and the health of our overall community.
Download our quick checklist of 10 ways to help your child have a healthy school year.
New Board Officers Announced
Moses Taylor Foundation has announced its newly-elected officers for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The officers were elected at the Foundation’s annual meeting in June and will assume their roles beginning July 1, 2022.
William R. Lazor, CPA/PFS, CFE, has been elected Chair of the Board. Lazor joined the Foundation as a board member in January 2016 and served as Vice Chair from July 2019-June 2022. Along with his service to Moses Taylor Foundation, Lazor has contributed in a variety of roles within local government and nonprofit sectors to ensure appropriate oversight and stewardship of resources. As a director with the certified public accounting firm of Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co. PC, he concentrates in the area of taxation, with expertise in local and multi-state taxation. Lazor earned his bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from Wilkes University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania and New York.
Lazor assumes the role of Chair following the tenure of Judge Robert A. Mazzoni, who served in the role from July 2019-June 2022. Mazzoni will remain on the Foundation’s board as a general director.
Maria Marsili, Esq., has been elected as Vice Chair of the Board and will also Chair the Governance Committee. Marsili is one of the Foundation’s original board members, beginning her service in 2012. She is currently a Vice President and Special Assets Officer at First National Bank of Pennsylvania while maintaining a limited private law practice. Marsili is a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Scranton and has served on the boards of directors of NeighborWorks NEPA, Moses Taylor Health Care System, and Mid-Valley Hospital.
Kimberly Santarsiero has been re-appointed to the role of Treasurer. Santarsiero joined the Foundation’s board in January 2016 and has contributed her time and expertise to many local nonprofit organizations, including St. Joseph’s Center and Dress for Success Lackawanna. Santarsiero is an Investment Executive for the Santarsiero Investment Group at LPL Financial in Dunmore and has provided financial planning and investment management services for individuals, businesses, pension funds, foundations, and endowments for the past 20 years.
Mary F. Sewatsky, M.D., has been re-appointed as the Foundation’s Secretary. Dr. Sewatsky has served on the Foundation’s board since its inception in 2012 and, prior to the appointment of the Foundation’s current President and CEO in 2022, led the organization as Interim President and CEO for eight months. Sewatsky earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and has served the Northeastern Pennsylvania community as an internal medicine physician and community-minded servant leader for decades. She is an affiliate faculty member of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and volunteers her time and talents with multiple organizations.
“The Moses Taylor Foundation has been through tremendous change during the past two years, including a leadership transition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his role as Board Chair, Judge Mazzoni directed the organization during this period, and I am grateful for his leadership and his plans to continue serving as a board member. I appreciate Mr. Lazor’s acceptance of the Board Chair role and Ms. Marsili’s willingness to step into an officer role as Vice Chair. Mr. Lazor and Ms. Marsili are sincerely dedicated to the mission and vision of the organization and will capably guide the Foundation, complemented by the continued service of Dr. Sewatsky and Ms. Santarsiero,” stated Danielle Breslin, President and CEO, Moses Taylor Foundation.
In response to his recent appointment, Lazor shared, “As a lifelong resident of the area, it is important to me to give back to my community in a variety of ways. Moses Taylor Foundation works with nonprofits throughout NEPA that are providing necessary services to those living in 11 counties. I am honored and look forward to continuing my work with the board and staff in this new role; and, most importantly, continuing to build healthy communities.”
Moses Taylor Foundation’s officers hold their positions for a one-year term and may be re-elected.
Letter to the Editor: Recognizing the hard work and dedication of school nurses
In a letter published in Sunday Times Leader on April 30, 2022 Matt Montoro Principal, North Pocono Middle School submitted the following editorial:
Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of school nurses around the community and in the North Pocono School District. The role of the school nurse has certainly changed from our own childhood memories as students, and the recent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused this role to evolve even more dramatically.
It is difficult to describe a typical day for a school nurse, as they are often required and asked to be prepared for any situation from administering medications, teaching school staff about student medical needs, injuries sustained at school, providing medical advice to students, families and staff, in addition to annual screenings, mental health needs, concussion management and adapting to the needs of the school community.
I have a strong partnership with the school nurse in my building and the rest of the NPSD. It is imperative for this relationship to be robust as we work from multiple perspectives to keep students in our school healthy and safe. There is a mutual respect and high regard for my school nurse’s clinical background, ethics, and standards of practice. I would be lost without her.
The demands of the global Covid-19 pandemic created an exuberant amount of uncertainty, pressure, stress and demands on public education. Our school nurses worked around the clock to help contact trace, contact families, discuss our health and safety plan, clarify guidelines and most importantly, they were always available via text and phone call after school hours and on weekends. It is with their help, I feel I was able to focus on keeping students in school and provide the best learning environment possible.
With all the demands placed upon school nurses, I am hopeful for opportunities for these incredible professionals to have the space and time to be able to promote health education for classrooms and individually, obtain necessary professional development, and to continue to build connections with healthcare providers within the community. That will allow school nurses to keep current and relevant in order to keep our schools safe and healthy.
I would like to conclude by personally showing my gratitude for the school nurses in North Pocono School District: Ellen Lentowski (Moscow Elementary), Cindy McIntosh (Jefferson Elementary), Courtney Butler (Intermediate), Lisa Sheerer (Middle School), Colleen Silva (High School) and Dr. Lynn Heard (NPSD). These fine school nurses are an integral part of our school community and as an administrator, I appreciate what they do every day.
Sincerely
Matt Montoro Principal, North Pocono Middle School
The Moses Taylor Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Danielle Breslin has been appointed as President and CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation.
Breslin has more than 25 years of experience optimizing health outcomes, with a focus on historically marginalized communities. Throughout her career, she has built an extensive network within the healthcare, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.
Currently, Breslin is Vice President of Operations and Learning for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation experienced significant growth resulting in a robust portfolio of more than 1,200 grants with $173.8 million invested in communities across North Carolina. Before she transitioned into philanthropy, Breslin spent six years within the Health Care Services Division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
“Danielle’s qualifications and experience are exceptional, but more importantly, her heart and passion for philanthropy and her dedication to those she is entrusted to serve will raise the work of the Moses Taylor Foundation to the next level. We believe she is the perfect fit to guide the Foundation and work with our community partners to continue ongoing initiatives and identify and address exciting new philanthropic opportunities for generations to come.”
-Maria Marsili, Esq. Search Committee Chair Moses Taylor Foundation
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to work alongside the Moses Taylor Foundation Board and staff to build upon their outstanding reputation and to advance the important work happening throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Breslin. “The organization’s core values mirror my own, and we share a foundational commitment to listening to, and learning alongside, the communities we serve. I am thrilled for what lies ahead and look forward to making this area my home for years to come.”
Breslin will assume her responsibilities as President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation on March 14, 2022.
Meet Danielle Breslin
In this video interview with our new President and CEO Danielle Breslin, she shares details about her work experience, family life, what intrigued her about the position with Moses Taylor Foundation, and what the first few weeks will look like for her.
