Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce Foundation proudly awards scholarships each year. The recipients must be a graduating high school senior and reside in the towns that we support; Bloomfield, Belleville and Glen Ridge. The criteria for the scholarships are based on their financial need, fall attendance at a college, university, or vocational school, intention to pursue a career that is business oriented and extra-curricular/community activities. The scholarship application included the recipients essay, GPA scores, letters of recommendation from school and the acceptance letters from the college (s) of interest.

Class of 2020 honorees are: Bloomfield: Daniel Keseling (The College of New Jersey) and Mikaela Benkert (Montclair State); Belleville: Joylyn Perez (Kean University) and Malvin Gavarrett (Rutgers University); Glen Ridge: Mia Advensky (McGill University) and Kaylie Koenig (Northeastern University). Congratulations! We wish each one much success with their dreams and careers!

CONGRATS TO THE CLASS OF 2020 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Bloomfield: Daniel Keseling & Mikaela Benkert
Belleville: Joylyn Perez & Malvin Gavarrette
Glen Ridge: Mia Advensky & Kaylie Koenig

Best wishes for a successful and happy future!

NEW INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES ON MEDICARE E- Visits for PT FROM A T.E.A.M. Approach Physical Therapy - Robert A. Ruffalo, PT, DC

Many patients of whom are elderly, immunocompromised, and suffer from pre-existing conditions – will be unable to access the safe, effective pain-management treatments they depend on to stay healthy and independent. In instances such as the outbreak of CoVid-19 patients will face difficulties accessing outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy making it harder for them to regain balance, strength, and mobility following serious illness and injury, putting them at greater risk for accidental falls and other negative outcomes.

This is a problem with no ready solutions, but there is one action that Washington can take right now that will help: expanding access to telehealth-based care services to Medicare recipients as all other NJ insurers have done for Physical Therapy. What then is offered to Medicare Beneficiaries not wanting to go to an office for physical therapy at this time?

Currently E-Visits are offered to Medicare insureds for Physical Therapy:

What is an E-Visit?
A non-face-to-face communication with their clinician without going to the physical therapy office.
Who must initiate the communication?
The patient must generate the initial inquiry and communications can occur over a 7-day period. However, practitioners may educate beneficiaries on the availability of the service prior to patient initiation.
Can PTs use this service with a new patient?
No, these services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient.
Is this limited to rural areas?
This is not limited to only rural settings. There are no geographic or location restrictions for these visits.
Do PTs need special patient consent for an E-Visit?
The patient must verbally consent to receive virtual check-in services.
Does the patient need to pay for these services?
The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would apply to these services.
Can I use other means to communicate with my physical therapist?
Effective immediately, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will exercise enforcement discretion and waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients.

Stay Safe and Be Well,
Robert A. Ruffalo, PT, DC
www.ateamapproachpt.com
973-429-3001

A Message from TAPinto,

TAPinto sites are offering all local businesses free content marketing services on TAPinto through April 30th through their self serve platform, including press releases and future event listings. Businesses can submit hours of operation, offers, services and much more.
To do so, businesses should visit TAPinto and click on Login/Register to create account and then click submit.

I don't know the etiquette for this, but given the situation locally, many local businesses are already in trouble. I'm hoping we can all support each other through promotions, reviews, whatever it takes to keep everyone in business and come out the other side ready. We have artists in our group, handymen, accountants, appraisers, and more... so many small businesses. For many of us, it's hard to not be around people to continue working. I tried to photograph webcams, it doesn't work.

With that said, I'm pushing a bit of a "karma-like" promotion right now that I actually hope helps you and your clients. I want people to spend/buy in your businesses first, and then I will reward them in my business as a thank you.
If you're on Facebook, the post is here: https://www.facebook.com/astphotos/photos/a.10150099385694921/10158069215409921/
If you're on Instagram, the post is here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B94TDXJgU3w/

For others, see attached photo and notes below:
Go spend in any local retail business in your area, such as a restaurant, pet store, grocery store, etc, and take a photo of the receipt. ⁠
⁠
I will match what you spent, rounded up to the nearest $5, and give you that discount towards any future photo session OR artwork order (site for artwork coming soon). ⁠
⁠
This way, we rise as a community together and support everyone's families. ⁠
⁠
Notes (will update as we go):⁠
* The max discount is currently $100.⁠
* Requires photo proof of a receipt from that business⁠
* Discounts/credits are limited to 1 per session. Sorry, I can't give away everything for free or pay out of pocket⁠
* All photo sessions to take place in 2020⁠
⁠
973 307 0278 or http://anthonystorres.com⁠

Feel free to share.
Anthony

FROM: Express Employment Professionals, Bloomfield

To our valued clients and all companies in our community,
We value you and our relationship more than words can express. Our thoughts are with you now and always. Following state mandate our office will close as of Saturday March 21, 2020.
However we will still service you and provide you great workers as best and legally as we can. There is still work to be done in our great state.
We will have phones forwarded to live recrutiers and can still provide our best level of service as seamlessly as possible. We will continue processing new appliicants via phone screens and still have a large database of pre-screened applicants to fill your open jobs. Please feel free to call us any time at (973) 707-5363 or e-mail us at BloomfieldNJ@ExpressPros.com
Sincerely, Express Employment Professionals of Bloomfield, NJ

New Jersey has established a website devoted to business concerns during the coronavirus emergency.

The site cv.business.nj.gov will be updated as new information becomes available.
In addition, the New Jersey Action Center’s Helpline is now available from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Call 1-800-JERSEY-7

Call us or visit our online resources to address any concerns you or your employees have.

Sincerely,
Melanie Willoughby
Executive Director
New Jersey Business Action Center

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) has launched “Let’s Talk…” a new podcast series designed to help businesses across the state comply with current state laws and regulations. The first four episodes of the podcast, available now, were recorded in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) and tackle state regulations related to family leave insurance, disability insurance, minimum wage and much more. Future podcasts will feature other state departments and address issues of interest to New Jersey’s business community.

The series, available on the center’s website at https://nj.gov/state/bac/bac-podcasts-labor.shtml, builds upon the work of the NJBAC, which helps businesses of all sizes navigate state government and the rules that govern businesses in New Jersey.
“Every day, the Business Action Center supports New Jersey’s thriving business community,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “This podcast series will provide New Jersey businesses with the answers to many of the Business Action Center’s most frequently asked questions in a convenient format.”
The podcast series’ first four episodes feature specialists from the NJDOL, who address a host of new laws, their implementation and the steps businesses need to take to stay current. Episode one features NJDOL Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo, who gives listeners insight into the department and how it works with businesses.

“Developing these podcasts has been a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out to New Jersey’s businesses and employees, giving them ready access to the information they need to know,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Thanks to the Business Action Center’s assistance, we can now spread the message about our vital Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance programs to individuals and employers, in a clear, conversational way."
I hope that you will make the podcasts available to your members by posting on your website. We look forward to hearing your comments.

Sincerely,
Melanie Willoughby
Executive Director

About the New Jersey Business Action Center
Operating under the leadership of Executive Director Melanie Willoughby, the New Jersey Business Action Center, housed within the New Jersey Department of State, is a business-first resource. NJBAC offers no-cost, confidential assistance to help businesses grow. The team helps companies of all sizes save time and money by getting answers from government agencies, directing businesses to appropriate officials and contacts, and facilitating meetings and follow-ups from regulatory agencies. For further information, call 1-800-JERSEY-7, visit https://www.nj.gov/state/bac/bac-about.shtml.