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Corporate Citizenship Josephine Walters
CareStar Scholarship

HOME Choice Program Earns National Recognition
August 27, 2010

At a recent U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Policy conference, Ohio was recognized nationally for its efforts to help those in long-term care facilities move back into their communities through the HOME Choice (Helping Ohioans Move, Expanding Choice) Program. Since beginning in 2008, the HOME Choice Program has successfully transitioned more than 600 Ohioans out of long-term care facilities. 

CareStar has played a vital role in the program’s success, as it administratively coordinates the statewide intake process and provides ongoing case management for Ohioans receiving HOME Choice services.  As part of its role, CareStar also coordinates with long-term care facilities, agencies, families, and other resource providers throughout the state to actively facilitate each transition and assure that participants receive the ongoing assistance needed to remain independent in their homes.  CareStar is proud of its key role in Ohio’s HOME Choice Program, and will continue to strive for excellence as a leader in the Home and Community-Based Services systems in Ohio and other states.      

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CareStar Awards $17,000 to Healthcare Students
August 12, 2010

Carestar's Josephine Walters Scholarship Fund continued its proud tradition in 2010, awarding 11 scholarships for a total of $17,000. The scholarships were awarded to healthcare students who have academically excelled in their individual programs and are in great need of additional funding to complete their courses of study. CareStar is excited to see this fund continue to grow with overwhelming support from generous donors who recognize the nationwide shortage and demand for nursing.

2010 Josephine Walters Scholarship Winners...

Good Samaritan College of Nursing (Ohio):

• Gabrielle Theile
• Jessica Suggs
• Kristina Loredo
• Jennifer Arey

Mt. Carmel College of Nursing (Ohio):

• Heather Harvyasi
• Leslie Jordan
• Cassie Bradford
• Andrea Colabuno
• Joshua Aronovsky

Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Ohio):

• Mary Reed
• Danielle Rollins

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CareStar Sponsors "Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A. 2010"
July 22, 2010

CareStar is proud to be a Patron Sponsor for this year's 2010 Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.  This national pageant is being held from 7/22 - 7/24 in the City of Green,  a suburb of Akron/Canton in northeast Ohio. This was a tremendous victory for Ohio as it battled with Nashville, TN for the final decision.

Trivia fact: an Ohio Home Care Waiver consumer was the 2008 pageant winner.  

Considering CareStar's strong presence throughout Ohio and its work with many disabled individuals, CareStar President Tom Gruber believed support and sponsorship of this event to be of significant value. In addition to sponsorship, CareStar staff will be actively volunteering in various activities leading up to the crowning of the 2010 queen. CareStar is proud to connect with this event in support for greater independence for those challenged with disabilities. Contestants are not judged on "beauty,” but on their personal style, presentation, glamour, and interpretation of being a professional woman in today's society.  

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New CareStar Joint Venture
January 12, 2010

Thomas Gruber, CareStar President, and Bill Nadler, President of electronic commerce link (ec link) announced today the formation of a joint venture between their Cincinnati-based companies that will develop and market information technology products and services. The company, named CareStar Information Systems (CareStar IS), will concentrate its sales efforts in the governmental and not for profit sectors initially with products designed for healthcare case management and universities.

“This venture will enable our companies to take advantage of business opportunities that neither company had the resources to capture on its own” said Gruber. CareStar has developed and licenses its CareStar Enterprise (CSE) software for case management services. ec link’s E-Gov Link software suite enables citizens to communicate with their local governments, and government staff to track and respond to citizen’s concerns. “E-Gov Link” has been a successful product. We believe that our new venture with CareStar will enable us to pursue the development of a spinoff product targeted to colleges and universities” said Nadler. “We also foresee similar spinoff opportunities for CSE.”

CareStar IS will be headquartered at 5566 Cheviot Road on the west side of Cincinnati. For more information email the company at info.carestaris.com.

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ABOUT CARESTAR
CareStar, based in Cincinnati, with offices in Columbus, Cleveland and Indianapolis provides solutions for governments, organizations and individuals responsible for the care of consumers requiring home and community-based health services.

CareStar has provided care management services since 1988. We have used the experience and knowledge we have gained to improve the programs of our clients and to meet the challenges of their consumers and providers of care. Our efforts have resulted in a leadership position in the healthcare industry and the respect of our peers.

To learn more about CareStar contact:
Richard Kohut,  Manager, Community Outreach
800-616-3718, x4578
rkohut@carestar.com

ABOUT electronic commerce link
electronic commerce link, inc, (ec link) provides solutions for governments and commercial organizations throughout the United States.  The E-Gov brand of products is in use by over 100 local governments in 30 + states.

ec link has provided information technology solution since 1996 utilizing its experience with computer networks and specifically the use of the public Internet an important means of executing commerce.

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Aultman College Students Awarded CareStar Scholarships
October 21, 2009

Three students from the Aultman College of Nursing and Health Care Sciences were awarded the Josephine Walters CareStar Scholarship to assist them in pursuing their nursing education.  Maria Coy of East Canton, Russell Leonardi of Wooster and Jaclyn Willoughby of New Philadelphia were presented with scholarships by CareStar representatives Sherry Espenschied and Richard Kohut at a recent luncheon.

"At CareStar, we recognize the value and importance of nursing, and of the people who commit to nursing as a career,” said Thomas Gruber, president of the Cincinnati-based company.  “Nurses have made our company successful, and as we look to the future, we know our communities and our future generations will need more nurses."

The CareStar Nursing Scholarship Fund is named in memory of Gruber’s grandmother, Josephine Walters, because her life epitomized the best characteristics of the members of the nursing profession- caring and selfless service to others.  Scholarships are offered to students in central, northeast and southwest Ohio who have completed at least one year of nursing curriculum with a 2.5 or better GPA.  More importantly, CareStar looks for students who are “deeply committed to nursing,” as evidenced by an essay prepared by applicants.  Scholarship amounts vary depending upon student need.

“We are so proud of our students for demonstrating to CareStar their dedication to their education and the profession of nursing,” said Rebecca Crowl, president of Aultman College.  “We are also grateful to CareStar for their generosity and the faith they have shown in the students of Aultman College.”

About CareStar
Since 1988, CareStar has provided care management solutions for governments, organizations and individuals responsible for the care of consumers requiring home and community-based services. Through a contract with the state of Ohio, CareStar provides the case management services and provider oversight that allows more than 14,000 Ohio residents to receive the care they need to remain in their own homes.

About the College
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a health-system-affiliated institution of higher learning committed to meeting the needs of nursing and allied health students.  Following 114 years of diploma education, Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences transitioned to a two-year college curriculum in 2004 and graduated its first class of Associate Degree students in May 2007.  Approximately 250 full-time and part-time students are currently enrolled in Aultman College’s Associate of Science in Nursing program.  For more information, visit www.aultmancollege.edu.

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FREE Dayton Independent Living Fair
October 2, 2009

CareStar is partnering with local Centers for Independent Living to sponsor free Independent Living Fairs this fall. The fairs invite all Ohio consumers and healthcare professionals to learn about independent living resources available to individuals with a disability. Vendors will display a variety of assistive/adaptive devices for independent living, and FREE presentations will be available for CEU credit. 

Dayton Fair Information Flyer

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Embracing the Leadership Challenge
September 16, 2009

CareStar’s entire management team recently completed a two-day Leadership Training workshop led by best-selling author, entrepreneur and motivational leader Jack Carew, Founder and President of Carew International, a global sales and leadership training company.

Throughout this inspirational presentation, Jack Carew involved the team in a relevant, results-focused journey, including:

• Identifying gateways and opportunities to build high-trust relationships that clearly demonstrate a person’s interest, commitment and desire to lead others
  
  
• Mastering a unique process to overcome barriers in a successful working relationship—neutralizing resistance, preventing misunderstandings and resolving issues
  
  
• Adopting this eternal law of leadership: “To act decisively, a leader needs to show the courage and determination that overshadows fear and hesitation”
  
  
• Enlarging the spirit, expanding ability, and succeeding in transforming challenges into opportunities for prosperity

"Embracing the Leadership Challenge" provided an understanding of real leadership—achieving trust, teamwork and results through our most important assets… our people.

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CareStar Participates in MS Society Vendor Fair
September 2, 2009

CareStar-Indiana participated in the Indiana Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society's first annual Vendor Fair this past August. As one of 50 vendors in attendance, CareStar shared information about its developing partnership with the MS Society of Indiana and introduced its case managers to individuals diagnosed with MS.

For more information about CareStar's activities throughout Indiana, contact Barbara Cash at 317-454-7001 (ext. 4369)

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CareStar and ODJFS Extend Contract Again
June 4, 2009

Thomas Gruber, CareStar President, announced today that CareStar and the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) have agreed to extend CareStar’s contract to manage the Ohio Home Care Program until June 30, 2011.

“We are very pleased that the State has chosen to again extend our Ohio Home Care contract. CareStar has always been committed to providing the highest quality service to the Ohio Home Care participants. We believe this contract extension is a vote of confidence on behalf of the State that CareStar is achieving that commitment,” said Gruber.

 ABOUT CARESTAR
CareStar provides solutions for governments, organizations and individuals responsible for the care of consumers requiring home and community-based services.

CareStar has provided care management services since 1988. We have used the experience and knowledge we have gained to improve the programs of our clients and to meet the challenges of their consumers and providers of care. Our efforts have resulted in a leadership position in the healthcare industry and the respect of our peers.

To learn more about CareStar contact:
Richard Kohut
Manager, Community Outreach
800-616-3718, x4578
rkohut@carestar.com

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CareStar Celebrates 20 Years in Business
October 31, 2008

CareStar was founded in October 1988 by Thomas Gruber, Don Brown and Richard Lindhorst.  The vision of the founders was to build a successful home healthcare company providing excellent service to under served areas.  They planned to accomplish this by purchasing smaller companies, growing them and opening additional offices to provide services in other under served areas.

The first step towards their goal was the purchase of Creative Care Corporation in December of 1988.  Creative Care was a successful, local home healthcare company in Newark, Ohio.  This was quickly followed with the May 1989 acquisition of Millers Home Services in Rushville, Indiana.  In April of 1990 CareStar purchased Tender Loving Care, Inc. in Milan, Indiana.  MedStat Registry in Fredericksburg, Virginia was purchased in January of 1992.

From these offices the company expanded into neighboring communities.  Offices were opened in cities such as Lancaster, Mt. Vernon and Cincinnati, Ohio; Lawrenceburg, Shelbyville, Connersville and Versailles, Indiana; and Manassas, Virginia.  CareStar, in 1993, was operating 13 offices, including its home office in Harrison, Ohio.

In 1995 CareStar joined Staff Builders Inc. by selling its home healthcare business to them in return for rights to operate Staff Builders franchises.  With Staff Builders, CareStar was simply the manager of the former CareStar / now Staff Builders home healthcare offices as well as the Staff Builders case management franchise it acquired the rights to manage the offices much like a company or individual owns the franchise rights to a McDonald’s restaurant.

In 1996 CareStar sold the franchise rights to all homecare operations.  The only franchise not sold was the Columbus, Ohio case management office.  After negotiations with Staff Builders in early 1997 CareStar reached an agreement to acquire this operation.  As of July 1, 1997 CareStar and Staff Builders had no more ties.

CareStar’s case management business has grown considerably since 1997. As of October, 2004 CareStar was awarded the exclusive contract to manage the Ohio Homecare Program. Under that contract CareStar manages over 12,000 consumers and 6,000 providers of Medicaid homecare services throughout the sate of Ohio.

CareStar acquired Factors, Ltd in Indianapolis, IN in 2006. Factors provides case management and adult foster care services throughout Indiana on a fee for services basis and now operates under the CareStar name. In 2007 CareStar Learning was established. This new division offers online continuing education units to healthcare paraprofessionals. Similar services for healthcare professionals will be offered beginning in the fall of 2008.

CareStar has 20 years of expertise in the HCBS care industry. We have cooperatively used this knowledge to improve the programs of our clients and to meet the challenges of their consumers and providers of care. Our efforts have resulted in a unique leadership position in the healthcare industry and the respect of our peers.

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CareStar and ODJFS Agree to Extend Contract
August 28, 2008

Tom Gruber, CareStar President, announced today that negotiations recently concluded to extend CareStar’s contract to manage the Ohio Home Care (OHC) Program. Under terms of the new agreement, CareStar will continue to manage the OHC Program through June 30, 2010.

“State officials approached us in March about extending the contract,” said Gruber. “I am very pleased with the agreement reached. It is a win/win/win for the State of Ohio, the OHC Program consumers and CareStar.”

The Ohio Home Care Program serves about 12,000 consumers throughout the state. Ohio Home Care is Medicaid's integrated program of home care services.The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) administers the Ohio Home Care Program through the Bureau of Community Services (BCS).

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Building a Better Path to Consumers & Providers
June, 2008

The Ohio Home Care Program has been working with CareStar to build a better path to their consumers and providers.

In June they introduced “myOhiohcp” (My Ohio Home Care Program) which is an online “portal page” – a personal webpage that contains a consumer’s or provider’s records and program information.  Portal pages are becoming more common as a way to communicate information online, and websites like iGoogle, Amazon and American Express Online use this type of technology today.    

myOhiohcp was developed using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Framework as one of its fundamental guidelines. The Framework was developed in partnership with the National Associations of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, State Units on Aging, and State Medicaid Directors.

Consumers can use myOhiohcp as a tool to express their choices and preferences in the Ohio Home Care Program. Providers can utilize it by accessing their important information in one place.

Both consumers and providers will have the option to create and customize a “Personal Choice Page.”  This page gives them the power to add and view over 40,000 popular sites like CNN news, ESPN, The Weather Channel, YouTube, Wikipedia and much more – all on one page!   

The Ohio Home Care Program is building a better path to consumers and providers and myOhiohcp is helping to pave the way.

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CareStar Donates to Help Flood Victims
June, 2008

CareStar has donated to the American Red Cross to assist in flood relief efforts in the Midwest. CareStar's support of the Red Cross comes at a time the agency is facing what has been called "a rolling disaster." It is estimated that recent floods have already affected tens of thousands of people and flooded three million acres in Iowa alone.

Our donation is expected to be used by the Red Cross as it deems necessary to support the thousands of people affected by this devastating natural disaster.

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CareStar Scholarships Benefit Mt. Carmel Students Since 1996
April, 2008

Article from the "The Carmel Rapper" about CareStar's involvement with the school featuring The CareStar
Josephine Walters Scholarship Program. View the article (Page 2)

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CareStar Chosen To Present At NASUA
October, 2007

CareStar will present its findings on how distance learning is being used for Home and Community-Based programs at the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA), 23^rd National Home and Community Based Services Conference, September 30, 2007 - October 3, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

CareStar will show how distance learning software is being used to create programs and courses specifically for HCBS programs and how they meet the needs of the providers, consumers, case managers, and support staff. Statistics on program and course usage as well as satisfaction survey results will be available for review. This information is particularly beneficial for managers, instructors, and technology coordinators.

Founded in 1964, the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) (NASUA) is a non-profit association representing the nation's 56 officially designated state and territorial agencies on aging. The mission of the Association is to advance social, health, and economic policies responsive to the needs of a diverse aging population and to enhance the capacity of its membership to promote the rights, dignity and independence of, and expand opportunities and resources for, current and future generations of older persons, adults with disabilities and their families.

CareStar offers a wide range of solutions for Home and Community-Based programs including Management Services, Information Systems and Online Education. CareStar Management Services provides Case Management, Provider Management, Quality Assurance and Improvement. CareStar Information Systems offers software used to manage home and community-based programs. Online education is presented by the CareStar School, which offers continuing education and HCBS-related courses.

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CareStar Awards for Scholarships for 2007
August, 2007

Carestar is happy to announce that the following students have been selected as this year’s recipient of the Josephine Walters CareStar Scholarships:

Good Samaritan College of Nursing
Jennifer Rehling

Mt. Carmel College of Nursing
Jessica Glowacki, Imani Daniels, Lisa Lahrmer, Victoria Grey, Melanie Larmer, Jessy Johnson and Erica Howard.

Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Crystal Pint

These nine students cumulatively received scholarships totaling $25 thousand.

The CareStar Scholarship Fund provides tuition and financial assistance to students currently pursuing an education in the health care field. These students are in great need of additional funding to complete their courses of study. Your generous donations have made these awards possible.

Awards will take place, at each school, in July and August.

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CareStar Aquires Factors, Ltd
September 20, 2006

CareStar has acquired Factors, Ltd., a case management services company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Founded in 1993, Factors acheived a statewide presence in the Indiana home and community-based services waiver programs. Nancy Swaim, President of Factors, will remain with the company as its Director of Operations and be responsible for its continued growth.

"Factors is an exciting acquisition for our company. There will be great synergy between Factors and CareStar, and strategically it accomplishes a goal to expand our business into contiguous states". said Thomas Gruber, President of CareStar.

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CareStar to Present at NASUA Conference
July 27, 2006

For the second straight year CareStar has been chosen to present at The National Home and Community Based Services Conference. This year the conference will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 3-6th.

CareStar will discuss their success with the decision to create virtual offices. They will highlight how it has increased productivity, and improved the lives of the consumers, clients and employees.

Founded in 1964, the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) is a non-profit association representing the nation's 56 officially designated state and territorial agencies on aging. The mission of the Association is to advance social, health, and economic policies responsive to the needs of a diverse aging population and to enhance the capacity of its membership to promote the rights, dignity and independence of, and expand opportunities and resources for, current and future generations of older persons, adults with disabilities and their families.
For more information on the conference click here
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CareStar Scholarship Winners Announced
July 12, 2006

Carestar is happy to announce that the following students are this years winners of the Josephine Walters CareStar Scholarships. They are:

Good Samaritan College of Nursing
Amy Berry
Christina Vest
Robin Hilton

Mt. Carmel College of Nursing
Ella Milkolajewski
Del Enderle
Christin Adkins

Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Laura Trent
Crystal Pint

The CareStar Scholarship Fund provides tuition and financial assistance to students currently pursuing an education in the health care field. These students are in great need of additional funding to complete their courses of study. Learn more.

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CareStar to exhibit at The National Association of State Units on Aging (HCBS Conference)
July 7, 2006

CareStar has been selected to exhibit at the The National Association of State Units on Aging, 22^nd Annual National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference again this year. The conference will be held in Minneapolis between October 3-6, 2006.

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CareStar joins Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
June 1, 2006

CareStar has joined the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. "CareStar is anxious to become an active member of the chamber and work towards building business relationships in the Bluegrass State" said Richard Lindhorst , CareStar Vice President.

The NKCC is the one of the largest chambers in the nation with over 1900 members. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Schools chosen for Scholarships for 2006
April, 2006

Four accredited nursing schools have been chosen to participate in the Josephine Walters
CareStar Scholarship Fund for 2006. CareStar will accept applications from students of these
select schools, as long as they meet the basic requirements of the fund. This years schools are:

Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mt. Carmel College of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio
Stark State College, North Canton, Ohio
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Canton, Ohio

The fund, established in 1992, provides financial assistance to needy students pursing an education
in the health care field. To-date CareStar has awarded over 60 scholarships.

Awards will take place, at each school, in late summer.

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CareStar launches new web site
February, 2006

CareStar has launched a new public web site, which aims to improve the delivery of information about the company and manage and promote health related services.

The new site is designed to be an on-line resource for consumers, providers and interested parties associated with the Home and Community-Based Programs, in states that CareStar serves or potentially might serve.

The new site provides a wealth of information. It contains over 3000 links to national and community resources, on-line referral information, and the latest news about CareStar.

The web site is designed in a user-friendly format, with a clear navigation structure. On-line directories, requests for service, and useful link functionality have been utilized to help visitors locate information easily.

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CareStar exhibits At NASMD
November 5, 2005

CareStar exhibited at he NASMD conference November 7-9 in Washington, DC. CareStar will have literature and information on its Home and Community-Based solutions for state Medicaid waiver programs.

The National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD) is a bipartisan, professional, nonprofit organization of representatives of state Medicaid agencies (including the District of Columbia and the territories).

The primary purposes of NASMD are: to serve as a focal point of communication between the states and the federal government, and to provide an information network among the states on issues pertinent to the Medicaid program.

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CareStar rejoins Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care( IAHHC)
December 7, 2005

With a growing presence in Indiana, CareStar choose to rejoin the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care. CareStar was a member between 1988 and 1996 when it was a large provider of home health care services in the state.
(CareStar sold its homecare business in 1996 to concentrate on its case management division)

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CareStar donates to Katrina Relief
September 1, 2005

In response to the recent devastation by Hurricane Katrina to the Gulf coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana, CareStar made a cash donation to the American Red Cross to support its disaster response activities in the region.

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