Environmental action grants wanted by utility
NIPSCO is accepting applications for its Environmental Action Grant to support local nonprofit organizations with environmental initiatives, according to a release. For the eighth consecutive year, NIPSCO will provide support for environmental restoration and education projects throughout northern Indiana, the release said.
Grants are available in the amount of $500 to $5,000 for organizations seeking funds for environmental restoration projects and education programs. Applications will be accepted now through April 7, with grant awards announced the week of April 24, in celebration of Earth Day, the release said.
Nonprofit organizations with an environmental restoration or education project are invited to submit a grant request at NIPSCO.com/Community. When submitting an application online, applicants should select the “Environmental Stewardship” option in the Area of Impact drop-down box on the application, according to the release.
Michigan City firms adds accountant
A Michigan City firm has announced the addition of Kevin Ostafinski as a new staff accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, according to a release. Ostafinski has a background of military service and academic achievement in accounting and will now be serving CLH, CPAs & Consultants clients from the firm’s downtown Valparaiso office, the release said.
In his new role with CLH, Ostafinski will be conducting tax preparation and accounting services to both individual and business clients, the release said.
Ostafinski is a Navy veteran and a graduate of Purdue University Northwest where he earned a B.S. in Accounting, the release said.
Nurse practitioner joins Northwest Medical Group in Valparaiso
Northwest Medical Group recently welcomed nurse practitioner Jennifer DeFauw, according to a release. DeFauw joined the family medicine practice of Drs. Derek Gasper and Vijaya Chapala, at the Northwest Medical Group – Primary Care office located at 1100 McDonald Drive in Valparaiso.
Ashley Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer for Northwest Health, said that adding new practitioners is part of a continued effort by Northwest Medical Group to meet the growing demand for primary care throughout Porter, La Porte and Starke counties, a release said.
DeFauw received both her master of science in nursing and her bachelor of science in nursing from Purdue Northwest in Hammond. She specializes in general and preventive medicine, according to a release. For more information, call 219-464-9521 or visit NWMedicalGroup.com.
Franciscan Health Michigan City named Gold Infant Safe Sleep Hospital
Franciscan Health Michigan City has been designated as a Gold Infant Safe Sleep Hospital, achieving the highest level of certification by Cribs for Kids, a release said.
“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our Family Birth Center team in leading the way to earning Gold Safe Sleep status,” Franciscan Health Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said in a release.
Franciscan Health Michigan City was previously awarded five-year Silver Level status in 2017, the release said.
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To achieve Gold Level status, hospitals must implement a host of policies including providing training to all staff caring for infants, provide safe sleep education to families, identify families needing safe sleep space and distribute them prior to discharge and participate in community outreach initiatives to educate the community on safe sleep practices.
