On September 26, 2023 the NIH designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities.
Older adults and individuals with disabilities can improve their independence and health outcomes with effective health promotion.
BE WELL & THRIVE A NJ NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTHY LIVING
OUR MISSION is to provide people with disabilities, functional limitations, and older adults with access to programs and resources that promote optimal health outcomes.
OUR STORY
In 2013 Be Well! & Thrive was created as the groundbreaking health and wellness program of Easterseals New Jersey, impacting clients and staff across all 21 counties in New Jersey. It was the first I.C.E. (Institute for Credentialing Excellence) accredited health and wellness program in the U.S. for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Easterseals affiliates in the U.S. participated in onsite train the trainer programs, and teleconferences to learn about Be Well! and Thrive as a model to create a culture of health and wellness in their agencies.
Ten years later, in 2023, Be Well! & Thrive became a non profit corporation that promotes and fosters health equity and quality of life for people with disabilities and functional limitations, the aging, and those with other special needs.
OUR SERVICES
SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES
Be Well and Thrive programs are designed for people of all abilities to take control of their health and well being. We deliver a series of classes (4 – 48 weeks in length) in a structured framework at adult day and residential agencies, municipal settings and organizations. We collaborate with service providers and public and private organizations to support local, state and federal policies that improve the health and quality of life of individuals with disabilities and functional limitations, and their caregivers by providing:
- Culture of Health seminars for agency employees and caregivers that serve older adults and vulnerable populations
- Facilitate Train the Trainer programs for Be Well! & Thrive for agency leaders and support staff to support healthy lifestyle behaviors of clients in community and residential programs, and measuring impact
- Training for public health professionals, organization and agency leadership, and direct support staff, in community and residential programs to support consumers to bridge the gap between human services, public health and healthcare
- Structured, evidence based healthy aging programs that address self care, and health and medication management
- Individual and family healthcare advocacy
- Advocacy for inclusion of individuals with special needs in health promotion & prevention activities in their communities
- Arts Programs: Arts and crafts & Ceramics (where available) for teens and adults with developmental disabilities to improve motor skills and psychosocial wellbeing, and enhance creativity; Songwriting classes for seniors create an atmosphere of artistic collaboration and self expression
Our expertise with special populations includes older adults, individuals with physical, developmental/intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders and other special needs. We represented the lead organization in NJ for the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD), establishing us as leaders in COMMUNITY INCLUSION!
Team
LAURA O'REILLY- STANZILIS
R.N., MSM FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Laura is a registered nurse and a healthcare advocate with a background in fitness management, and executive leadership. She is a champion for health equity and an advocate for individuals with disabilities and special needs who has presented in venues across NJ and the US.
As the Executive Director of the North Jersey Health Collaborative, a non profit organization, she led the CHA & CHIP (community health assessments/community health improvement plans) across 5 counties in northern NJ, making preventive care a priority in community health. In that role she coordinated and facilitated a Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) “Addressing Barriers to Healthcare & Cancer Prevention Screenings for Adults with Developmental and/or Intellectual Disabilities”.
As the Director and AVP of Health and Wellness at Easterseals NJ she managed programs in all 21 counties of NJ, and she and her team created Be Well & Thrive, the first ICE accredited health and wellness programs for individuals with special needs in the U.S. and served as a health and wellness program mentor and trainer for national Easter Seals affiliates. She was the coalition leader in N.J. for the NCHPAD (National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability), and the Community Inclusion Index, U.S. CDC funded initiatives.
Laura served on the HealthyNJ 2030 Advisory Council, as president of the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association, on the NJ Division of Aging Chronic Disease Self Management Committee.
AS a columnist she wrote hundreds of articles for a weekly column, “Keeping Fit With Laura O’Reilly” for Gannett Newspapers, and is the author of “Get Fit to Go: Motivation to Exercise and Get Healthy” and “Well? What are you Waiting For? A Self Health Guide” as well as several health and wellness program guides.
JAIME L. PULA
PhD RDN, VP OF OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
Jaime is the Founder and Chief Wellness Officer at Art of Health Sciences™ and Author of, ‘Rise Above: A Playbook On How-To Keep Energy Flowing’. She serves as a fractional health and wellness executive with a mission to nourish bodies, minds, souls and spirits – to prevent and reverse disease, while healing people across the globe.
The clinical development of Art of Health Sciences™ included an innovative behavior change formula using both the sciences and the arts, coupled with best practices and tailorization—to create, enhance and sustain healthy outcomes and educating people for awareness in a way that is so obvious they’re motivated and commit. As a catalyst for healthy lifestyle behavior change, she guides people to better physical and mental health.
Dr. Pula attended Montclair State University to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and holds a Master’s of Science in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Science from East Stroudsburg University. She received her PhD in Health Sciences from the School of Health and Medical Sciences at Seton Hall University.
As a Member of the Board of Directors at the Mental Health Association as well as the tri-founder of Team De-Stig under the umbrella of Thrive Morris, the Health & Wellness Committee at the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, she spearheads the crucial initiative of combating stigma associated with mental health conditions–to raise awareness, provide education, take action and empower members to better serve our communities.
Jaime was a member of the Be Well! & Thrive Program Development Team at Easterseals New Jersey.
JAMES RICHARDSON
VP OF PROGRAMS
James has over five years’ experience in care coordination, 10 years in program coordination and over 20 years in preventative health education and coaching. He holds degrees in social sciences and applied health studies, with certifications in personal training, behavior change and Integrative Health Coaching. James has a passion to educate, empower and enrich the lives of individuals and community by providing sustainable, evidence based programming as well as health coaching and education.
James was a co-creator and program coordinator of Be Well! & Thrive at Easterseals New Jersey.
See James’ LinkedIn profile here.
CYNTHIA W. MURPHY
BE WELL AND THRIVE PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Cynthia Watts Murphy is the Founder of Love Your Legacy Coaching. She has successfully raised three neuro-diverse children who are confident, independent, and finding their way to a life they love. For the past six years she has used her 30 years of experience as a wellness professional and transformational coach to help dozens of women simplify their responsibilities and prioritize their own dreams so they can live a life they love and are proud of, without sacrificing the needs of their child.
Cynthia earned her BA degree in Sports Medicine and Dance from Skidmore College, studied nutrition at Cornell University and enjoyed a 10 year career in professional dance. She has invested many years in the field of human potential, focusing in communication, leadership and personal development. Prior to coaching, as a business woman, Cynthia worked in marketing and leadership development.
Cynthia was a member of the Be Well! & Thrive Development Team at Easterseals New Jersey.
News
From our blog
Be Well & Thrive Has a History of Positive Impact in Community Settings
In 2011, Easterseals New Jersey had a vison to create a groundbreaking health and wellness program for people with disabilities and special needs. Thanks to the generosity of donors and funders, individuals served by Easterseals New Jersey participated in programs that fostered positive lifestyle and self care habits. Through Easterseals New Jersey’s generosity, the program…
Training Support Staff Helps Clients Meet Health Goals
Recent studies show that people with developmental disabilities and mental illness have a greater risk for chronic disease than the general population. This is not new news. A few years ago (around the time this photo was taken, after I trained the staff of Easter Seals Arkansas on the curriculum of special needs exercise and…
Be Well! & Thrive & DAWNcil Public Health Workforce within the Disability Networks Initiative
DAWN Center for Independent Living is one of 12 CIL’s in the state of NJ chosen by the Administration on Community Living to participate in the Expanding the Public Health Workforce within the Aging and Disability Networks. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provided funding to DAWNcil via the aging and disability networks (networks…
BE WELL AND THRIVE N.C.H.P.A.D. INCLUSIVE HEALTH COALITION
What Clients Say
“Laura O’Reilly, R.N., MSM FTG Principal and Founding President, BE WELL! &THRIVE was instrumental in facilitating the Expanding the Public Health Workforce Initiative implemented by DAWN Center for Independent Living. Laura’s expertise and leadership guiding the project was critical in accomplishing the goals of this initiative which included educating the public health workforce on the needs of individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access to public health for individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs.”
-CARMELA SLIVINSKI Executive Director, DAWN Center for Independent Living