ProfNet Experts Available on Workplace Training, Technology Applications in Religion and Education, More

NEW YORK, April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

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EXPERT ALERTS

• Workplace Training Can Prevent Opioid and Prescription Drug Misuse
• Keeping the Church Relevant with Technology
• The Future of Learning is Personal

MEDIA JOBS

• M&A / Funds Reporter – InfraLatinAmerica
• Contributing Editor, Best Buy Drug Costs – Consumer Reports
• Night Editor, Digital Desk – The Wall Street Journal

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• The Art of Storytelling: A Look at Slam Dunk Coverage of March Madness, in 4 Stories
• How to Create Viral Content That Wants to Be Shared – in 6 Steps
• Blog Profiles: Language Blogs

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EXPERT ALERTS:

Workplace Training Can Prevent Opioid and Prescription Drug Misuse
Dr. Joel Bennett
CEO and Founder
Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems, Inc. (OWLS)
It's increasingly commonplace for employees to use prescription medication outside of intended use to improve job performance, overcome lack of sleep, or to alleviate pain. In late 2016, two national surveys indicated the need for more Rx misuse prevention in workplaces. Although 70% of employers are negatively impacted by Rx misuse, less than 25% educate workers, and 30% do not provide access to alternative treatments. A recent study showed the effectiveness of a wellness-based approach to employee training that raised awareness and encouraged the use of healthy alternatives. The training was adapted from two programs cited in the 2016 Surgeon General's report, Facing Addiction in America, as the only ones that met their criteria for effectiveness for workplace prevention. Says Dr. Bennett: "Compared to before the training, participants reported more motivation to avoid Rx and greater ability to identify healthy alternatives for dealing with pain or stress. Tackling the nationwide opioid epidemic is ultimately about helping people make better choices."
Dr. Bennett is a widely sought after speaker, consultant, and source on issues pertaining to evidence-based wellness; he has also published in a broad variety of academic, industry and business publications and consults internationally.
Website: http://organizationalwellness.com/
Media Contact: Charles Epstein, [email protected]

Keeping the Church Relevant with Technology
Dr. Shane Garrison
Associate Professor of Educational Ministries, School of Theology
Vice President for Enrollment Services
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
By embracing innovation, churches can identify strategies to modernize the church and connect with today's youth – tomorrow's leaders – via social media and other technologies. Says Dr. Garrison: "Technology and modernization are not usually words people use when describing the church. The hesitation to embrace change is making it hard for Christian leaders to engage youth today. Generation Z are digital natives, their whole lives are dependent on technology and it is necessary for churches to capitalize on this trend to stay relevant now and into the future. Nontraditional communication tools like social media, technology workshops and informal youth ministry meetings will help ensure the church stays relevant. The Christian message doesn't need to change but its delivery can and should."
Dr. Garrison was honored as Campbellsville University's Distinguished Faculty member in 2016. He is also available to discuss the rise of the "Pharaoh Effect" in business and leadership. As a society we are increasingly asking employees to do more, expect more, and demand more, but with far less resources, staffing, and support.
Blog: www.shanegarrison.org  
Contact: Jessica Brown, [email protected]

The Future of Learning is Personal
Dr. Mickey Blackwell
Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Education
West Virginia State University
Charleston, WV
With advancements in the use of technology and student data in the classroom, personalized education initiatives are the future. Says Dr. Blackwell: "Personalized learning is where we are all headed. Soon every child will have their own plans, tailored tests, and teachers will know in real-time how that student is performing. It will be up to teachers, with the help of their administrators, to craft new materials, exercises, and tasks that can bring out the best in their students. Plus with the right support, states and districts can embrace this learning revolution and will be better equipped to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their students and what teachers need to be successful in the classroom. This is an immense challenge for the education system, but it will pay endless dividends if fully supported by teachers, policymakers, and parents."
Dr. Blackwell has over 30 years of experience in teaching and school administration, including serving as superintendent and principal at multiple schools, and currently is the executive director for the West Virginia Association for Elementary and Middle School Principals. Dr. Blackwell can speak to developing district-based curriculum goals and related staff development and staff, as well as the impact of public policy on state public school educators and school administrators. 
Contact: Michael Timberlake, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• M&A / Funds Reporter – InfraLatinAmerica
• Contributing Editor, Best Buy Drug Costs – Consumer Reports
• Night Editor, Digital Desk – The Wall Street Journal

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• THE ART OF STORYTELLING: A LOOK AT SLAM DUNK COVERAGE OF MARCH MADNESS, IN 4 STORIES. Sports journalism should be more than just statistics. While they support arguments about the G.O.A.T. and which team may be the most dominant, time and again we see they don't always matter – especially during March Madness. Here are four slam dunk examples of March Madness coverage that went beyond statistics reporting: http://bit.ly/2pmrWTX 
• HOW TO CREATE VIRAL CONTENT THAT WANTS TO BE SHARED – IN 6 STEPS. You know the feeling: You see something on Facebook, Twitter, or Snapchat that you must share with friends. But what if you're on the other side of the coin, figuring out how to create content that people will want to share? How do you make something readers will want to put on their timelines? http://bit.ly/2pqS9Ao  
• BLOG PROFILES: LANGUAGE BLOGS. Each week, PR Newswire's Audience Relations team selects an industry/subject and looks at a handful of sites that do a good job with promoting and contributing to the topic. This week, the team looks at language blogs: http://bit.ly/2pWP8oZ

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SOURCE ProfNet