Talking Points: Recent Episodes
Lesic and Camper Communications
Talking Points was created to provide listeners with some insights into the various issues and topics we work to promote on behalf of the companies and organizations we support.
Earlier this summer we met Ann Brooks and Renee Hitchcock who are associates at the Walmart in Ashland, Kentucky. Like any Walmart associate, their days are spent making sure customers have a good experience while shopping in their store. But over the course of the last several months, they’ve also become social media influencers.
To build awareness for seasonal merchandise or weekly specials, Renee gets behind the camera while Ann will share with the store’s 28,000 followers on it’s Facebook page what they need to know and invites them to "come on down." What started out as a project to have fun with the customers has grown into something quite special. In fact, Renee recently informed me that one of their videos has reached more than 5 million views.
Renee, Ann and the Ashland Walmart store manager Bradley Bartley join us to talk about their social media adventure.
The faculty and staff at Missouri Connections Academy, a statewide, tuition-free, online school recently welcomed new and returning students in grades K through 12 for the 2024-2025 academic year – it’s fifth since it opened in 2020.
Virtual school is a great fit for a variety of students and each student is unique. Those who attend Missouri Connections Academy come from different backgrounds and choose full-time online school for various reasons. Some students prefer to take ownership of their education and benefit from the flexibility that virtual school offers, while others are looking for a consistent, safe learning environment.
Joining us today is school leader Lynsie Hunt who will describe how the virtual classroom has evolved over the years and how more students and parents are finding it to be an effective alternative to the traditional classroom. Lynsie will also discuss her experiences in the virtual classroom and how teachers engage students.
The Immunization Advocacy Network of Ohio, a statewide network of Ohio immunization providers and supporters who advocate for the value of vaccines, recently partnered with the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) to host an Immunization Summit in Columbus that focused on childhood vaccines. The Summit convened a small group of healthcare providers including pediatricians, pharmacists, and nurses as well as public health officials and vaccine advocates.
While Ohio’s rates of immunization among children are decreasing, the Summit allowed for robust discussion and the sharing of ideas for the best ways to address issues such as vaccine hesitancy, data collection, and education.
Joining us for today’s podcast are Melissa Wervey Arnold, CEO of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Dr. David Karas, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics and is medical director of Ambulatory Quality and Clinical Outcomes Improvement at Akron Children’s, who discuss the Summit and how experts and advocates are working to improve vaccine rates in Ohio.
Great River Connections Academy® (GRCA) is a unique, tuition-free, online public school that offers a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. With the help of specially trained teachers and their parents/learning coaches, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient.
Great River Connections Academy® also supports middle and high school students throughout Ohio in their journey toward discovering and achieving their career goals. GRCA offers a unique combination of traditional courses and industry-specific electives in fields such as Information Technology, Business, and Healthcare. These programs are designed to prepare students for both college and the workforce, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to succeed. Additionally, the academy's partnerships with leading companies and institutions offer students meaningful, real-world experiences. The aim is to help students find their direction in life, making the future less intimidating and more attainable.
Today were joined by Great River Connections Academy Principal Jason Swinehart who discussed this College and Career Readiness offering and the pathway its providing students.
It's back-to-school season once again, a time filled with excitement for students and parents as they gear up for the new academic year. However, the only people perhaps more eager than the students themselves are the teachers. In traditional classrooms, teachers are busy getting their spaces ready—arranging desks and chairs, decorating bulletin boards, organizing school supplies, and finalizing lesson plans. But what about online classrooms? How do teachers in a virtual environment prepare for a new school year? To explore this, we’re joined by three teachers from Ohio Connections Academy, who are currently getting ready for their new school year, which begins on August 19th.
Over the last few years, Walmart has been on what the company calls a transformational journey, where hundreds of stores across the country have been transformed and redesigned to amplify the physical, human and digital design elements in the stores to elevate the overall shopping experience.
As Walmart considers itself a member of every community it serves, there is another element to these store transformations that celebrates those communities. During each remodel, Walmart will unveil a community-inspired mural that is installed near the store entrance. This Community Mural Program is an important part of every new or newly transformed facility as it is inspired by the community and reflects the local diversity and cultural references.
Today, community murals are featured in hundreds of Walmart stores, and original artworks are unveiled weekly in newly transformed stores. Every store mural is unique, and we are joined today by artist Lisa Quine of Hudson, OH who was asked to create a couple mural installations in Ohio and she recently completed another in a Walmart store in Minnesota.
When Ohio Connections Academy first opened, full-time online learning for grades K-12 was not as prevalent as it is today, and students were seen as trailblazers for this type of learning. Today, with 20 years of online learning expertise and a program built specifically for the virtual environment, the school serves more than 5,000 students in grades K-12 from every county in the state of Ohio. Ohio Connections Academy Superintendent Marie Hanna, and Dawnelle Criss, Ohio Connections Academy math teacher and 2012 graduate, share their insights on how the online classroom has evolved over the years and how attitudes have changed about the virtual learning. Ohio Connections Academy provides a personalized education that is supported by teachers who are specially trained in online learning. The curriculum is designed to have real-world value by focusing on preparing each student for wherever life takes them. As a public school, the school requires students to meet the same state standards as their traditional school counterparts.
As communities across Ohio and the rest of the country will host celebrations, parades, and ceremonies to honor Veterans of our United States Armed Forces, we are joined by Jason White, Operations Manager at Walmart's East Transportation Command Center in Grove City, OH. Jason served the U.S. Army from 2002 until 2018 when he transitioned to the Ohio Army National Guard and currently serves as Sergeant First Class. We asked Jason to share a little about his military experience and how he made the transition from active duty to the national guard and the career path he embarked upon with Walmart. In 2013 Walmart launched the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment which guaranteed a job offer to any eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veteran. Walmart’s original goal was 250,000 hires – and in 2020 the company reached that benchmark. Since then, more than 520,000 veterans and military spouses have joined Walmart.
The costs for rare disease therapies are often very expensive for the patients. While some get help to cover a portion of their high out-of-pocket costs, health insurers have a policy called copay accumulators that prevent the assistance from counting toward the patient's copay or deductible requirements for the year. There is a legislative effort underway in Ohio (House Bill 177) that would address the issue. Sam Cox, State Government Relations Manager with the National Psoriasis Foundation, discusses the issue, the proposed fix and what patients and advocates can do to get involved.
For this episode we are pleased to be joined by Greene County Health Commissioner Melissa Howell and Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health who share their perspectives and deep knowledge of immunizations and the importance of utilizing public health data.
As school children are all heading back to the classroom we talk about what resources are available for parents and caretakers to make sure their children are ready with the proper immunizations.
We also discus why vaccine registries such a critical tool in healthcare.
Additional information:
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Immunization Program
Greene County Public Health
IFF is a nonprofit lender, developer, and real estate consultant with offices in Columbus and Cleveland and is Ohio’s first and only nonprofit real estate consultant focusing exclusively on boosting under-resourced nonprofits. IFF has provided nearly $70 million in more than 90 loans to Ohio nonprofits helping local changemakers achieve their dreams for their communities. Omar Elhagmusa, senior lender for IFF in Columbus, and Meg Slifcak, Director of Real Estate Solutions based in IFF’s new Cleveland office share how the organization provide a very unique skillset and very much needed services to Ohio's non-profit community. Learn more at www.iff.org/ohio.
On this episode of Talking Points, Angela Snyder of Lesic and Camper Communications has a conversation with Columbus Public Health Assistant Health Commissioner Edward Johnson about the importance of vaccinations in the community and the city's recent measles outbreak. Edward also offers some historic perspective regarding vaccine policies dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Last week Walmart announced that through August 18, it will be accepting applications for its tenth annual Open Call event, inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country to apply for the opportunity to pitch their products to be sold on Walmart or Sam's Club shelves or on Walmart.com. Open Call is at the heart of Walmart's 10-year, $350 billion commitment to strengthen U.S. manufacturing by sourcing products that are made, grown or assembled in the U.S. In 2017, Marisa Sergi, CEO of L’uva Bella Winery, located in Lowellville, OH in Mahoning County, was invited to Bentonville to pitch her Red Head Wines to Walmart buyers. Marisa received a golden ticket and was given the green light to sell her products in 20 stores in northeastern Ohio. Since then she has successfully expanded their brands to more than 800 stores across the Midwest and is continuing to grow.
Angela Snyder of Lesic and Camper Communications has a conversation with Milu Nguyen, BSN, RN – Franklin County Public Health, Prevention & Wellness, about the Immunization Advocacy Network of Ohio and importance of being an advocate for strong vaccine policies.
Typically, this podcast is dedicated to sharing information on issues such as education, business, health care, public safety and how they might impact public policy. On this episode we’re going to change things up a bit and speak with Chris Heiberger to come on and share a little about his hobby - comedy and improvisation. Chris is with The Hashtag Comedy Co., a local improv group that has been performing on stages across central Ohio and has developed a significant following. Chris tells us about the fundamentals of the art and talks about how he and other members of the troupe are sharing their passion for making people laugh by offering classes for youth, adults and seniors.
Kaitlin Finan, an Honors and AP Government teacher at Ohio Connections Academy describes her volunteer work for the Pickles Group, a national cancer support organization that works to provide peer-to-peer support and other services to children and teens with a parent or caretaker who is battling cancer. Kaitlin is currently putting her expertise as a teacher in the virtual classroom to work in translating the Pickles Group program for a digital environment. Kaitlin and Pickles Group Executive Director Cassy Horton talk about the program and the work they are doing to connect with more children remotely. The virtual program was launched last September and will soon be starting its third cohort. So far, the virtual program is connecting with kids in 16 different states in four different time zones.
For older Ohioans, and children and adults with disabilities, receiving health care at home is less costly and more effective than institutional care. But Ohio’s Medicaid reimbursement rates fall significantly short of covering the costs of home care. The rates today are essentially the same as they were in the year 2000.
As a result, home health agencies can’t afford to remain open, hire workers or accept Medicaid patients, and new Medicaid providers aren’t in the wings. Thousands of Ohioans are on waiting lists for home care services because there are not enough providers. As Ohio's population is aging fast, this issue will not go away. We must think ahead to plan for their long-term care and ensure we have a workforce to care for the influx of aging patients.
Lisa Von Lehmden Zidek, Board Chair of the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice, and Joe Russell, OCHCH Executive Director, are all too aware of Ohio’s Medicaid home care crisis. They say the problem can be addressed in the State’s biennial budget and that Ohio should value the health and safety of its most vulnerable residents in a way that’s on par with Medicare and private pay.
Last week was National School Counseling Week to focus on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. School counselors lead, advocate and collaborate on efforts that promote equity for all students and create a culture of success for all. Schools, especially through the pandemic, have focused a significant amount of attention on the social/emotional well-being of students and how it impacts their overall academic success. Great River Connections Academy Manager of Counseling Services Alana Pustay shares with us more about her role as a school counselor, the social/emotional needs of students and how those needs are met in a virtual classroom environment.
Parents, students, educators, and education stakeholders across the country recently celebrated National School Choice Week. While the term is self-explanatory, School Choice is the process of affording parents and caregivers the opportunity to choose the K-12 academic environment that best meets their child’s needs. At Lesic and Camper, we have the privilege to work with five Connections Academy schools in Ohio, Minnesota, and Missouri. Connections Academy is a tuition-free, online public school for students in grades K–12. We invited Marie Hanna, Superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, Anne Wasmund, Principal of Falcon View Connections Academy in Minnesota and Lynsie Hunt, School Leader at Missouri Connections Academy to have a brief conversation about school choice and what that represents in their respective states.
Jeff Stone, Walmart Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs and Community Relations talks about how the retailer has intensified its efforts to "Spark Good" in the communities it serves through store transformations and the relationships with local charitable organizations.
Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann shares with us the mission behind LifeTown Columbus and Kitchen of Life that provides the youth of central Ohio opportunities to overcome developmental and mental health challenges.
LifeTown is NOT simply a “field trip” – it’s where students with developmental challenges apply thelesson plans they’ve worked on in advance in the classroom… and where they develop life skills they’ll be able to transfer to their natural community environments.
Kitchen of Life offers flexibility to work with every classes' schedule and size. We aim to create new and positive experiences outside the classroom in order to grow competence, confidence, character, caring, and connection that will be used inside the classroom.
You probably know someone who suffers from mental illness or addiction – a family member, a friend, a coworker. Ohioans are suffering from addiction and mental illness in unprecedented numbers. Approximately 2.3 million Ohioans suffer from mental illness. Substance abuse disorders have hit Ohio very hard, especially its rural areas. These issues are affecting residents of all ages and ethnicities. Thrive Peer Recover Services is helping to address these issues. Learn about Thrive’s services and jobs available throughout Ohio on this podcast with Brian Bailys, co-founder and CEO, and Human Resources Director, Emily Pastorius.
More than ever before, it’s critical to ensure that families stay on track for children’s routine checkups and recommended vaccinations following disruptions from COVID-19. A CDC report released in May 2020 found a troubling drop in routine childhood vaccinations because of families staying at home during the pandemic and not maintaining their vaccine schedule. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. Pediatrician Dr. Denise Warrick offers her perspective on the importance of vaccines in protecting children and the need for strong public policies that support that effort.
It started in 2006 with a golf outing to raise money for cancer research. Sixteen years later, Families for a Cure has raised more than $1.5 million to help local cancer support organizations that help make things better for families and individuals coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Throughout the year Families for a Cure host events and activities that bring together friends, families and supporters to celebrate the lives of the people who are battling, have battled and won and those who have lost to cancer. Many of these events are fundraisers that provide support to organizations committed to helping those fighting their own fight against cancer.
For more information visit www.FamiliesforaCure.org
More than a year ago, the City of Columbus announced plans to establish bike lanes along Indianola Avenue between Weber and Midgard Roads on Columbus’ north side. For the city to move forward with the plan it would require a reduction of the street parking. The question is how much.
Those familiar with this unique, three-block area knows that the businesses there draw customers from all over central Ohio and they rely on the street parking that is available.
A number of the businesses came to the table and supported a plan, “Option 4,” that proposed to eliminate almost half of the parking but would preserve parking on both sides of the street. The city however revised its plan and is now looking to leave only 30 parking spaces near the businesses with no parking allowed on the east side of Indianola.
Those businesses are very concerned with how eliminating the parking could negatively impact their business. Eric Brembeck, owner of Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, joins us to talk about their concerns and the effort to strike a balance between the planned bike lanes and the survival of locally owned businesses.
This week is National School Choice Week. In our last podcast we spoke with Great River Connections Academy Principal and School Leader Jason Swinehart about school choice and what that means from the school’s point of view.
This week we wanted to get a parent’s point of view. In this week's episode we’re joined by Rose Lynn of Salem Ohio. In 2018 the Lynn family was among the first families to enroll their children in Great River Connections Academy when the school first started serving students. According to Rose, they chose the full-time online school because as local small business owners they found the flexible schedule enabled their family to have more time together. Since then, all five of the Lynn children have attended Great River Connections Academy with their oldest, Angelina, graduating last spring and is now a freshman at Kent State University.
School choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently so some may need a different learning environment to succeed. That is what School Choice is all about.
Great River Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual public charter school that serves students in grades K-12 from all over Ohio. In this episode of Talking Points, we discuss with GRCA Principal and School Leader, Jason Swinehart how students are engaged in the virtual classroom and what kind of student might benefit from this approach to learning.
As National School Choice Week is the week of January 23rd, we also discuss the importance for parents to have the option to choose the learning environment that best meets their child’s needs.
School Choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently. Some children might succeed at the neighborhood public school, while others might fit in better at a charter, magnet, online, private or home learning environment. That’s why school choice is so important.
For more information about Great River Connections Academy visit www.GreatRiverConnectionsAcademy.com
For more information about National School Choice Week visit https://schoolchoiceweek.com/
In March 2021, Pearson and Connections Academy released the results of a new opinion poll of US parents to gain insights into family living and learning during the pandemic. The survey revealed that 84% of dads said they became more involved in their child's education, and it was an experience they found "gratifying." With Father’s Day this weekend, we spoke with a local dad who is very involved in his daughter’s education. Kevin Patillo is the father a Jaiya Patillo, who just completed the sixth grade at Great River Connections Academy. Jaiya competes in track and field at a very high level so Kevin, and his wife Sheree, enrolled Jaiya in GRCA last fall because they needed a more flexible learning environment to fit around her training and competition schedule. As Jaiya's "Learning Coach" Kevin describes how he has become more involved and closer to his daughter.
Maria Gilmour is a 7th grade Social Studies and Language Arts teacher at Great River Connections Academy. She joined the faculty at GRCA this year after teaching for 14 years in a traditional classroom. Maria shares a little about her transition from a traditional classroom to the virtual classroom, how students are engaged in an online environment and what are some of the factors that are critical to their success.
RALI Ohio supports and promotes Ohio organizations that offer addiction prevention and education programs, as well as recovery services. RALI Ohio recently released a new podcast, moderated by Candace DeMatteis, focusing on the complex and interconnected issues of substance misuse and addiction, mental health disorders, and public children services in Ohio, all of which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining in the conversation in Ohio State Representative Susan Manchester, who sponsored a new law aimed at improving Ohio’s system for training and approving potential foster caregivers; Scott Britton, Assistant Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, who manages the Ohio START program; and Joe Abdalla, a former law enforcement officer who now dedicates his time and expertise to help prevent substance misuse and addiction.
Because of the pandemic, Ohio's public schools, at one time or another, closed their doors leaving it up to teachers to engage their students remotely when they've never previously taught in an online environment. We discuss a collaboration Ohio Connections Academy has enjoyed for a few years with three universities in Ohio to provide education majors the opportunity to observe and work with students in a virtual classroom environment.