 |
NEWS ARCHIVE
Back to Current News
ESI Continues to Support Highland Elementary School.
Bethesda, MD, August 23, 2007—Once again, ESI's employees displayed their generosity with an abundance of school supplies donated to the children at Highland Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. The company van was loaded full with boxes of glue, pens, markers, scissors, paper, tissues, hand sanitizer, and a variety of other supplies needed by these young scholars. Jessica Tierney, the Linkages to Learning coordinator at the school, was extremely appreciative of every box brought in. In addition, ESI donated a new paper shredder to Linkages to Learning, an item necessary to the important work the school does with families to make sure all confidential information is appropriately discarded. ESI is looking forward to our next project with Highland Elementary, the Thanksgiving Day basket donations.
Linkages to Learning at Highland Elementary School assists families and students by providing them with mental health services, social services, and educational support that help children prosper in school, at home, and in the community.
Back to top
ESI Awarded 3-Year Contract with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Bethesda, MD, August 7, 2007—The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently awarded ESI a 3-year contract for destination management (DM) services for any emergency declaration made by the President. DM involves the management and coordination of all transportation needs of VA medical personnel from the time they arrive in State until they depart for home. For this transportation support, ESI will be providing in-State staff, transportation equipment with drivers, and all documentation of that support such as personnel accountability matrices and transportation summaries.
ESI has a strong history in disaster preparedness and response, and DM services. In 2005, ESI deployed more than 4,000 medical personnel to States affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma while supporting the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The DM support services required by the contract are similar to those outlined in prior contracts that ESI has been awarded by VA and ASPR.
For more Information, please contact Dr. Sonya Merrill at (240) 744-7080, or by e-mail at sonyam@esi-dc.com.
Back to top
ESI Supports U.S. Troops by Stuffing 10,000 Care Packages.
Bethesda, MD—July 28, 2007—ESI participated in the United Services Organization (USO) Operation USO Care Package at Fort Belvoir, VA, and stuffed 10,000 care packages alongside other businesses, organizations, and volunteers. ESI staff were excited to be able to align forces with the thousands of U.S. citizens who have already shown their commitment to the men and women fighting overseas.
Operation USO Care Package was established due to the anthrax threat after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The U.S. Department of Defense suspended its practice of forwarding correspondence and personal care packages from the American public to any random service member. In its place, USO created Operation USO Care Package to boost morale and provide a safe and secure way for the public to show their support. These care packages contain prepaid, worldwide phone cards; sunscreen; travel-size toiletries; disposable cameras; and messages thanking them for their service and sacrifice. For more information or to make a donation, please go to www.usocares.org.
Back to top
ESI Staff Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer at the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC—June 4, 2007—ESI rallied together with nearly 50,000 other participants from across the country in support of the 18th annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure® on the National Mall, Saturday, June 2. The Komen National Race helps raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Runners, walkers, and volunteers arrived full of spirit early in the morning wearing this year's official race t-shirts featuring Susan G. Komen for the Cure's new pink running ribbon logo. Team ESI distributed water to race participants at the 2-mile mark. The team put forth an incredible effort serving young and old, men and women, breast cancer survivors, family of those lost to breast cancer, and others vested in the battle to end breast cancer.
Despite the heat, event turnout was high and the experience was a rewarding way for ESI to build team skills outside of its normal operating hours. ESI staff, Tara Haag, remarked, "It was great to see ESI staff come together and do such a wonderful job in the greater community! Everyone played a valuable role either in organizing all of the volunteers, setting up the water stations, or cleaning up the road."
A special note of thanks to ESI staff, Aurora Gesni, who not only organized ESI's participation in the event, but also served as the volunteer team captain on race day for the 2-mile water station.
About the Komen National Race
The Komen National Race for the Cure® is one of more than 100 5K runs/fitness walks in its signature program, the Komen Race for the Cure Series. The largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, the Komen Race Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who lost their battle against the disease.
Back to top
ESI included among those awarded an extensive health marketing and communication contract with CDC
BETHESDA, MD, April 2007—ESI has been awarded a 7-year master contract worth up to $70 million to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) health marketing and communication initiatives. This contract win establishes ESI as a contender for health communication work at CDC, the Federal Government's primary disease prevention and health promotion agency. ESI competed against a field of large and well-established contractors and was 1 of 17 firms awarded the master contract.
Using a task order mechanism, CDC will secure services to support the marketing and communication needs of all its coordinating centers, offices, and programs. The master contract covers a broad range of health communication services including social and health marketing, media outreach, communication and marketing research, information referral, evaluation activities, and electronic communication including Web sites and databases. ESI will have the opportunity to submit task order proposals for work procured under the creative domain of the contract.
For more Information, please contact Rachel Hunt at (240) 744-7049, or by e-mail at rachelh@esi-dc.com.
Back to top
ESI to provide support to annual OHS meeting advocating the completion of higher education degrees by staff through grantee program.
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, April 20, 2007—ESI will continue its work with the Office of Head Start (OHS) with the 2007 Higher Education Grantees Meeting, April 22-25, 2007, at the Hyatt Dulles hotel in Herndon, VA. This event brings together grantees, Federal staff, and guest speakers to provide information, facilitate collaboration, and highlight promising practices.
Since 2006, ESI has provided administrative, analytical, and technical assistance services onsite at OHS to support their Higher Education Grant Partnerships (HEGs). The $9.1 million initiative is comprised of partnerships with 61 minority-serving colleges and universities across the country whose goal is to increase the number of Head Start and Early Head Start teaching staff with degrees in early childhood education.
Other features of the meeting include a presentation by three graduates who have earned degrees with the support of Higher Education Grants, a resource room of information provided by grantees about their programs, breakout sessions presented by grantees, learning sessions customized to the goals of Higher Education grants, and a tribute to all graduates who have received a degree through these partnerships.
A meeting Web site was designed and maintained by ESI to provide logistical support for the event.
For more Information, please contact Dr. Sonya Merrill at (240) 744-7080, or by e-mail at sonyam@esi-dc.com.
Back to top
ESI Recognized at the Department of Health and Human Services Honor Awards Ceremony
ESI employees Becky Gunning, Ken Curl, and Darrin Donato were honored as part of the group who were deployed by or worked in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Emergency Response Center during the 2005 hurricane season. This incredible group effort was recognized at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Honor Awards Ceremony June 29, 2006, by the receipt of a 2006 Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service. The award was granted for distinguished service in providing increased capacity for mental health and substance abuse treatment services following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005.
Back to top
ESI Receives Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
ESI was recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the Spirit of Recovery Summit May 24, 2006, for generous contributions and unconditional support to the community in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes.
Immediately following Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita, the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) deployed consultants to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to provide support and direct behavioral health services, consultation on emergency operations, and training. They provided direct crisis counseling services to the affected populations in Hancock and Harrison Counties, MS. A psychiatrist was sent to Mobile, AL, to provide services to evacuees housed on a cruise ship. Consultants were also deployed in three teams to Baton Rouge, LA, Houston, TX, and Jackson, MS. The teams consisted of professionals with experience, skills, and knowledge in providing direct clinical services in disasters. Teams provided consultation, training, and direct services to State workers, local officials, and mental health workers. SAMHSA DTAC provided ongoing support to the teams while in the field. The center arranged and supported Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program grant reviews for Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
SAMHSA DTAC was responsible for the planning and execution of the Spirit of Recovery summit. The summit convened Federal and non-Federal staff that included mental health and substance abuse commissioners, disaster behavioral health coordinators, health department disaster coordinators, emergency management disaster coordinators, and key partners (e.g., voluntary agency leads, faith-based organizations, consumer and survivor representatives, and community associations). SAMSHA DTAC was involved in every aspect of the programmatic and logistical activities, including meeting topics and agenda development, attendee invitations, confirmation letters, handouts, meeting materials, attendee selection, speaker preparation, travel and hotel logistics for sponsored attendees, and onsite support.
Back to top
ESI Supports Local School Communities
ESI continues its hard work with our adopted school, Highland Elementary. ESI had a year full of exciting and successful projects that improved the lives of children and families of this community. Some of the projects ESI participated in were the back to school drive, the Thanksgiving basket drive, and Christmas gift project. Our Thanksgiving basket drive was a huge success with employees generously donating enough food to provide a lavish Thanksgiving meal for five families to enjoy. Our Christmas gift project allowed us to make the Christmas wish lists of two deserving families a reality this holiday season. ESI is eager to continue the wonderful partnership we have with the Highland Elementary community and look forward to taking on new projects in 2007.
Back to top
ESI Supports Hurricane Relief Efforts
ESI has been actively involved in hurricane relief efforts. Through our Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we provided the following services:
- Deployed more than 70 expert consultants, trainers, and crisis responders to hurricane-impacted States.
- Provided extensive grant support through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) to 29 applicant States—the highest number of simultaneous CCPs in the program's 30-year history.
- Managed the external grant review process of CCP applications totaling more than $1 million;
- Compiled and developed guidance materials related to behavioral health issues and distributed them quickly to impacted States.
- Worked closely with the SAMHSA Emergency Response Center by maintaining 24/7 on-call capacity for emergency technical assistance needs, providing daily updates of technical assistance activities, carrying out research upon request, and compiling disaster information and contact lists.
- Facilitated communications and conference calls with disaster behavioral contacts from hurricane-impacted States on behalf of SAMHSA.
Through our contract with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (OASPR), ESI deployed nearly 4,000 medical personnel to States affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. We also provided the following services:
- Managed the travel logistics for U.S. Public Health Service Officers and other Federal employees, such as the Veterans Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federalized civilians (volunteers), and others.
- Received, reviewed, and processed 2,400 vouchers (expense reimbursements), and continued this operation through July 1, 2006.
- Provided a new service to OASPR by coordinating and managing the ground transportation of an aggregate number of more than 30,000 passengers traveled during the mission.
- As many as 75 consultants and staff were used in-State and posted at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building during peak operations.
In addition to providing support through our work in these projects, our staff also joined in to help the thousands of people who were affected by the hurricanes. Our employees donated more than $4,000, and ESI matched their contributions dollar for dollar. Together, our company raised $8,500 for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Back to top
ESI Implements Employee Ownership through an ESOP
The philosophy behind an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, commonly
known as an ESOP, holds that employees should profit from
the prosperity generated by their efforts. ESI cofounders
and principals Paul Rickett and Susan Dixon think so, too.
ESI, a leading provider of top-quality professional services to Federal clients
across the education, health, and children and families arenas, has announced that it is
implementing an ESOP. Recognized in 2001 as "one of the fastest growing companies," by Inc.
magazine, ESI attributes its success in large measure to talented, dedicated staff. In thinking
about succession planning for the company they cofounded, Mr. Rickett and Ms. Dixon naturally
warmed to the idea of an ESOP as a way to position the company for even greater growth, while
personally rewarding their hard-working employees. "We're especially excited about the prospect,"
remarked Mr. Rickett. "An ESOP seems the obvious choice to fit our vision, a vision that began
nearly 15 years ago in a small office on F Street, NW." ESI, which started with a staff of five
and a 3-year contract, currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and performs on 42
contracts. The ESOP has initially acquired a minority interest in the company.
ESOPs have been shown to inspire an overwhelmingly positive effect because employees recognize how their actions on behalf of the company directly contribute to their own financial well-being. "We came to believe that employee ownership will spark even greater creativity and initiative," explained Ms. Dixon, "leading to higher levels of customer satisfaction and improved ESI overall performance." In fact, results from more than a dozen of the Employee Ownership Foundation's Annual ESOP Economic Performance Surveys reveal that 88 percent of respondent companies feel implementing employee ownership through an ESOP makes good business sense. Around the United States today, approximately 10 million employees own stock in their companies.
Since 1990, privately held ESI has been working with Federal Government agencies to enhance
education, health, child welfare, and family services across the United States The company's
creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and issue experts combine substantive knowledge with
technical skill to answer each project's unique requirements and achieve project goals
efficiently and cost-effectively. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, ESI sets the standard in
products and services for training and technical assistance, conference management, communication
and information, and grants management.
Back to top
ESI Featured in Washington Business Journal
Read the article on
ESI in an issue of Washington Business Journal.
Back to top
|
