Funding Received from Komen for Future Breast Health Education and Screening

Project Self-Sufficiency was recently awarded funding by the Komen for the Cure® North Jersey Affiliate to continue breast cancer awareness outreach, education and screening programs for Sussex County-area women and teen girls for the 14th consecutive year.  With the renewed funding, the agency will offer free mammograms six times a year, and continue to offer breast health education at area high schools, middle schools, colleges and civic groups, while coordinating numerous community events to promote awareness of the importance of early detection in combating breast cancer.

“Project Self-Sufficiency is proud to have spearheaded the Sussex County Breast Health Awareness Project for 13 years, successfully coordinating a community-wide effort providing breast health screening, awareness and education,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Executive Director.   During that time, the agency has provided more than 750 free mammograms to Sussex County-area women, coordinated 800 community events, and provided breast health education to over 70,000 women and teen girls.  “We are most proud of the fact that our efforts have assisted in the full circle of care for 31 women who screened positive for breast cancer,” added Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We know that mammograms save lives, and we are proving it right here in our own community.”

Breast cancer strikes more than 211,000 women each year, and in 2009, the year that the most recent statistics are available, more than 40,000 women died as a result.  Breast cancer is often a silent disease, with virtually no symptoms, but it is often completely curable if diagnosed in its early stages.  The majority of those diagnosed with breast cancer each year have no family history of the disease, making it all the more important for women to get an annual mammogram.   According to data compiled recently by the Komen for the Cure®North Jersey Affiliate, almost 33% of women over the age of 40 who reside in Sussex County have not had a mammogram in the past year, a percentage which is marginally better than some of the other counties in the agency’s 9-county service area in northern New Jersey.  However, Sussex County has the highest incidence of incurable breast cancer in the state, primarily because the cancer is not being detected at its earliest, most curable, stage.  The average 5-year mortality rate across all ethnic groups in Sussex County is 33.4%, almost 7 percentage points higher than the 9-county average of 26.5%. 

Early detection is essential in the fight against breast cancer; the survival rate for women who detected breast cancer in its earliest stages has reached 98%.  A mammogram is 85% - 90% effective at detecting breast cancer.  Mammograms may detect breast cancer up to two years before they can be felt through clinical or self-examinations.  Recent studies have shown that mammography can reduce the chances of death from breast cancer by 30%.  Early diagnosis is the key to a cure, and urging women to get a mammogram can be the difference between life and death. 

In its 2011 Community Profile, Komen for the Cure® North Jersey Affiliate identified several groups who were more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, including low-income women, ethnic minority groups, less educated women, the unemployed and undocumented women.  “Project Self-Sufficiency strives to be diverse and inclusive, and our breast health programs focus on low-income women, students in high school and college, the uninsured, African Americans and Latinas, previously-incarcerated women, and those lacking sufficient resources for transportation,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Breast Health Program Coordinator Haley Ward.  “We are also working closely with local faith-based organizations, social service agencies and health care providers in our area to make sure that local women are aware of the services we offer, and that those women who are positively diagnosed receive the follow-up services they require.”

To increase awareness of the importance of early detection in fighting breast cancer, Project Self-Sufficiency initiated the Mammograms Save Lives public relations campaign several years ago.  The wide-ranging program includes fliers, billboards, public service announcements and monthly profiles of Sussex County breast cancer survivors in the New Jersey Herald.  The agency works closely with a variety of health care providers including Summit Breast Care, LLC, St. Clare’s Hospital, and Newton Medical Center to provide follow up services to women in need.  Free mammograms and pap tests are also available through the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Sussex.  Follow-up diagnostics, including additional mammography views, breast ultrasounds, and biopsies are available to women who are screened at Project Self-Sufficiency.  In addition, Newton Memorial Hospital provides free mammograms for women who qualify through the Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Mammograms Save Lives” program. 

With the renewed funding, Project Self-Sufficiency hopes to expand the Mammograms Save Lives program to create a network of community volunteers to help distribute fliers and spread the word about the importance of early detection in fighting breast cancer.  The agency’s Breast Health Educator will offer presentations to local schools, civic organizations, faith-based groups, women’s groups, businesses, youth groups and other interested entities.  Support groups will be established for those who have received positive diagnoses, and survivors will be invited to attend annual celebrations and participate in one-on-one consultations.  Transportation assistance, wigs, prostheses and hats will be available to women in need.

“Project Self-Sufficiency is fortunate to be collaborating with several local organizations which are equally as committed to spreading the message that Mammograms Save Lives,” noted Haley Ward.  “We are proud to be partnering with Newton Medical Center, St. Clare’s Hospital, NJ CEED, Sussex County Public Health Nursing, the Sparta Cancer Center, and the Sussex/Warren Regional Chronic Disease Coalition.  We are also grateful to the New Jersey Herald for publishing a profile of a local breast cancer survivor each month.”

Free mammograms will be offered to underinsured and uninsured women over the age of 40 on Thursday, September 12^th, between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  To schedule a free mammogram, or to inquire about scheduling a free breast health education presentation, call 973-940-3500.  To learn more about the breast health education programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Word, Excel, QuickBooks and More in July

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in July, including classes in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Quick Books accounting software, and workshops designed specifically for seniors and for men.  All classes will take place in the agency’s Career Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   The fee for each Microsoft course is $10; the remaining workshops are free.     Students must be registered Family Success Center or Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  

An introductory course in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 1^st – 17^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  An advanced class will be held from July 29^th – August 14^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.   Students will learn word-processing techniques, including the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print mailing labels and address letters to multiple recipients.  Participation in the introductory level Microsoft Word course is required prior to registration in the advanced class.

Those interested in learning about Microsoft Excel are encouraged to attend an introductory class on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 8^th – 24^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Instruction will center on the creation of spreadsheets, databases and workbooks for use in tracking inventory, sorting data and creating mailing lists.  Students will learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide rows and columns using formulas and become adept at storing, managing and interpreting data.  Students must complete the introductory level Microsoft Excel class before registration in the advanced course.

Seniors are invited to familiarize themselves with personal computers, learn how to use email and safely navigate the internet with “Better with Technology,” which will be offered on Fridays, July 12^th – 26^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

A special Men’s Employment Lab will be offered on Wednesdays, July 10^th – August 14^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Participants will receive basic computer instruction, and assistance with resume development and job search techniques.

A course in QuickBooks Accounting Software will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from July 9^th– August 1^st, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   The same material will also be offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings, July 15^th – August 7^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.   Students will learn how to organize personal or business finances, track orders and payments, generate invoices, monitor and manage expenses and produce sophisticated reports and sales forecasts. 

The agency will also offer a series of workshops during the day and evening which are designed to help participants land and succeed at new jobs.  Courses will cover “Resumes & Cover Letters”, “Interviewing Skills”, “Job Search & Networking Techniques”, “Financial Management”, “Workplace Literacy”, “Salary Negotiations”, and “Careering 102.”  Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center also offers help with obtaining a GED, job training for women and young adults, career counseling and assessment, Job Start and Job Search services.   Interested participants are encouraged to contact the agency for a schedule.

The fee for each Microsoft course is $10; all other seminars are free.  All computer classes at the agency are open to registered Family Success Center and Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  To inquire about eligibility, or to find out more about the computer courses, seminars or career fairs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Learn Microsoft Word in Blairstown

Blairstown-area residents are invited to learn Microsoft Word at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Main Street location on Thursdays, July 11^th - 25^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Students will learn word-processing techniques, including the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print mailing labels and address letters to multiple recipients.  The agency’s computer lab is located in the First Presbyterian Outreach Center at 35 Main Street in Blairstown.  

A complete roster of computer classes and employability skills courses are offered at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton location all year long, including classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; QuickBooks accounting software; workshops addressing techniques for job search, interviewing, resume development and financial management; and courses designed just for seniors and men. 

For more information, call the Project Self-Sufficiency office in Blairstown at 908-362-1777, or phone the agency’s Newton office at 973-940-3500.  Information about the agency’s services is also available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Get Help with your Grocery Bill

Fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are available to northwestern New Jersey residents at sharply reduced prices through the Jolin Food Box program.  The food assistance program offers a variety of ordering options, from breakfast-lunch-dinner combination packs to boxes of dinner entrees to special packages just for children.  The price of a single box ranges from $22 - $40.  There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase, and the menu changes each month.  The program even takes food stamps.  Interested residents can order online with a credit card at www.jolinfoodbox.comor by calling Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.  Payment is made when the order is placed.  The next deadline for placing an order is Monday, July 15^th; delivery will be made to Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, July 27th.

The quality of the food products set the Jolin Food Box Program apart from other food assistance programs.  Each month features a variety of menu items from seafood and poultry to baked goods and prepared meals.  In one year, the  Jolin Food Box Program has established 18 locations in New Jersey for distributing high quality food to residents in need.  Project Self-Sufficiency is the first distribution site in northwestern New Jersey.  To find out more about the monthly food deliveries by the Jolin Food Box Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, or any of the other programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Free Health Insurance for Kids, Enroll at Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency offers open enrollment appointments for New Jersey Family Care, the health insurance plan offered by the state of New Jersey to eligible children and low-income parents, every Wednesday morning, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., and every Thursday evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

New Jersey Family Care is a comprehensive health insurance program that provides a wide range of services, including visits to a physician, eye glasses, hospitalization, lab work, x-rays, prescriptions, regular checkups, mental health, and dental coverage.  Medical services are available at Health Maintenance Organizations in each county.  Depending on family income, there may be restrictions on certain services.  Coverage in the health care plan is available for children 18 years of age and younger, as well as parents who meet income eligibility requirements.  Eligibility is based on family size, monthly income and other factors. 

Parents and guardians who have not resided in the United States as Legal Permanent Residents for at least five years are not eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  However, any pregnant woman, regardless of date of entry can apply and be determined eligible.  The income eligibility level for children's coverage is 350% of the federal poverty level.   For example, children in a family of four with a monthly income of up to $6,432 could be eligible for coverage.  The program is also accepting applications from parents and guardians with work income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level.  For example, parents and guardians in a family of four, making up to $2,444 per month, may be eligible.  However, some parents and guardians in a family making up to $2,444 may not be eligible because income such as unemployment, child support and government benefits are counted differently. 

Parents at higher income levels may have the option of purchasing health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through the New Jersey Family Care ADVANTAGE program.  Applicants will be eligible for New Jersey Family Care only if they have been uninsured for a period of at least three months, or if health coverage was lost due to layoffs or other factors.  Depending on income, other exceptions may apply for families privately paying for health insurance or for COBRA benefits.  For many families, New Jersey Family Care will be free.  Other families will pay a monthly premium based on their income and small co-payments for some services.

Immigrant parent/caretakers who are legal permanent residents of the United States must have had that status for at least five years in order to be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  Children age 18 or younger in "Qualified" immigrant status are able to apply for NJ FamilyCare, regardless of the date that they entered the United States; they do not have to wait five years to be eligible.  "Qualified" status includes a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban-Haitian entrant, an undocumented resident whose deportation is being withheld by USCIS, an Amerasian immigrant, a child of an honorably discharged United States military veteran, a child of a member of the United States military, an immigrant paroled for over one year, or an applicant under the Violence Against Women Act.  Certain American Indians born in Canada are treated the same as a United States citizen for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility.

Applicants are required to bring proof of income, citizenship information, social security number, and information about existing health coverage to the enrollment appointment.  Interested applicants are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency or visit the New Jersey Family Care website, www.njfamilycare.org, for more information.  Individual appointments at Project Self-Sufficiency are free and open to the public, but registration is required.   Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   To register, or to find out more about enrollment in the New Jersey Family Care program, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.orgor call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.