Teachers didn’t have a choice. Nearly all the Teacher Assist applications acknowledged the emotional challenges posed by the pandemic. Some took it a step further and sought an assist that would help their students address the mental strain many of us have been feeling.

“It’s a huge challenge to manage stress and engagement while learning. My school’s students have been taught on Zoom since last March,” said Monyca Currier. “Many of our families have been affected traumatically by Covid-19 – social isolation, death, sickness, loss of jobs and income – the list goes on and on. The repercussions won’t go away overnight. Students need to learn coping skills not only for the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but also coping skills for everyday life.”

Teacher Assist grants will be funding mindful breathing and movement, social and emotional support tools and resources, and even a therapy dog! Read how these winning projects will help bolster students’ mental well-being long after the pandemic ends. And it’s not just the kids – these projects will impact their entire school communities!

Monyca Currier (Monte Verde Elementary School – San Bruno, California)

Monyca has been exposing her third graders to mindfulness concepts all year. Her grant will allow her to complete 200 hours of Breathe for Change training. She’ll earn certification to allow her to teach yoga and the program’s other strategies and techniques not only to her students, but to other teachers and adults – expanding the social-emotional wellness and learning experiences beyond just her classroom.

“While I am in the early stages of my coursework, I've been teaching mindfulness and breathing techniques all year,” Monyca said. “My students have learned that when they feel nervous or anxious about something, they should pause and take a few deep breaths. It’s helped them develop a stronger growth mindset and the ability to self-regulate some of their emotions and behaviors.”

Ryan Ledlow (Northern High School – Portage, Michigan)

Ryan is using his grant funds for a second Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) therapy dog. It will join @hobbsthehuskie to address the social-emotional needs of students (and staff).

Hobbs, a golden retriever, has made a huge positive impact since coming to the school from Paws with a Cause.

“The pandemic has been very difficult for students (and staff.) Hobbs has provided social-emotional support, and truly does make people feel better,” Ryan said. “I start every day by saying to Hobbs, ‘Let's go make some smiles!’ He does that very thing all day.”

Research shows in addition to helping decrease anxiety and improve physical well-being, SEL dogs help ease social isolation and help students learn social skills and gain confidence.

Incidentally, Paws With a Cause provides dogs for the State Farm Arson Dog Program.

Terry Tucker (Lancaster ISD – Lancaster, Texas)

As the school’s guidance counselor, Terry Tucker has noticed the negative impact the pandemic has had on his students. He realizes they need more social-emotional learning (SEL) support, especially the African-American and at-risk students.

Even before the pandemic, emotional and social learning has been his focus and students in his at-risk school have benefited immensely.

“Negative experiences of our at-risk students create trauma needs. They often act out to get any kind of attention,” Terry said. “When we focus on supporting their emotional and social wellness, we see test grades go up. When you see those positive results, it’s addictive.”

He is using his Teacher Assist grant funds to expand that impact through the purchase of the SEL curriculum resource, School Connect. It will help students tackle real world problems through learning inter/intrapersonal skills, mindfulness and emotional management.

In addition to classroom activities, students can access the resource anytime virtually. The program’s tools allow them to take positive ownership in the areas of character, self-awareness, anger management, showing empathy, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills.

Terry is excited to be able to offer the platform in the coming school year. It will help students understand and define their feelings. That helps them put a name to what they are feeling. With tools to practice at-home coping scenarios, students become less stressed and more self-regulated.

For teachers, lesson plans address bullying, self-worth, self-esteem and respect. The focus is on life skill development, problem solving and goal-setting that will set up students to deal with whatever life throws at them.

“Please be careful on the roads and watch for deer,” she said.

In an instant, a deer bounded into the road and collided with their car, one of nearly 2 million crashes with animals every year.

“We weren’t going fast,” Rhodes Villa said. “It just happened so fast.”

It’s not an unusual occurrence, especially in October, November and December. U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm^® annual study. There were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Pennsylvania ranks third in the country with drivers having a 1-in-51 chance of an animal collision. West Virginia (1-in-37) again tops the list, followed by Montana (1-in-47). South Dakota and Michigan round out the top five, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wyoming.

The large majority of animal collisions are with deer. For the year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 there were estimated to be 1.5 million deer claims industry-wide.

“Claims after collisions with an animal range from small dents to totaled vehicles and injured drivers and passengers,” says Michael Braaten, director, Enterprise Research. “By sharing ways to help drivers be aware of the increased dangers this time of year – including inclement weather, shorter periods of daylight and students driving home after evening activities – State Farm hopes to help decrease the number of collisions and injuries.”

Hawaii (1-in-649), Nevada (1-in-551) and California (1-in-427) are the states where drivers have the least chance of an animal collision.

How Can You Avoid Deer in Your Headlights?

Growing deer and other animal populations combined with the displacement of animal habitats are making animal crashes more likely. There’s no real way to keep large animals like deer, moose, and elk off the road, but these safety tips can help you prevent animal-car collisions.

Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and other signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.

Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.

Don't swerve. If an animal-car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.

Remember peak season. Deer crashes happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. Collisions are most likely to happen in West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.

Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

Don't rely on a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.

Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

In the News

• AccuWeather.com:  Ways to steer clear of deer this year (11/10/20)

“For 10 years, I watched bad things happen to good people. I saw things I never want to see again, but it toughened me,” said Kandiss Ecton. “I’m the type of person who strives to be proactive so helping people after something happened to them was difficult.”

These days, Kandiss is a State Farm agent in Ferndale, Michigan. She helps people prepare for the unexpected.

“As an agent, I can’t foresee what will happen to someone, but I help make sure they are covered in the event something does.”

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. Women-owned firms account for 39 percent of all privately held firms and contribute eight percent of employment and 4.2 percent of revenues. One in five firms with a revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned, according to Businesswomen.org.

“As entrepreneurs, we can create our own paths,” she said. “Women represent a huge economic power and offer important consumer insights. Female buying power is immense.”

Kandiss is involved in several networking groups for women business owners and serves as a committee member of the Women of Color Entrepreneur Circle. She shares her story of becoming a business owner and mentors women who want to do the same or have recently opened a business.

She says some of the challenges small business owners face include hiring, keeping up with the financial responsibilities of the business and providing a safe and welcoming environment for customers and employees.

“As a member of the local chamber of commerce, I stop by new businesses to give them a community welcome packet and introduce myself,” Kandiss said. “I talk with them about the area and offer to connect them with someone who can help answer questions they may have about being a business owner.”

When business owners ask her about their insurance and financial services needs, she explains the impact a loss could have on their business. She also helps them understand that, as the business grows, so do their exposures.

“When talking with business owners about their needs, I say planning ahead is like putting a child in a car seat,” Kandiss said. “It’s a proactive step to help protect their business against the consequences of what could happen.

 “As a State Farm agent, I’m in a position to educate and help people understand what they have at risk. And, if there’s a loss, I can help them rebuild and deliver on the promise.”

Since 1973, mandatory unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) has been in place for all drivers. Beginning July 2nd, consumers will have a choice of PIP medical coverages and may save money, instead of paying some of the highest rates in the nation.

State Farm agents are assisting drivers with quotes on future auto coverage. There are several options drivers can choose from, and having a conversation with a State Farm agent can break down the options so you can make the best choice for you and your family. PIP options include:

• Option 1: Unlimited Coverage (this would be the same as you have today)
• Option 2: Up to $500,000 in coverage
• Option 3: Up to $250,000 in coverage
• Option 4: Up to $250,000 in coverage with some or all persons excluded from PIP medical. For instance, you may qualify for this option if you have qualified health insurance. That means your health care policy does not exclude auto injuries and your deductible is not greater than $6000.
• Option 5: You can choose $50,000 in coverage if you’re enrolled in Medicaid and meet other eligibility criteria.
• Option 6: PIP Medical Opt-Out. You can choose to have no PIP medical if you have Medicare Parts A & B and again, if you meet other eligibility criteria.

“State Farm understands how overwhelming this process can be for drivers,” says State Farm Area Vice President Alec Hagan. “Sitting down with an agent and actually having a conversation will make a difference in being able to make an informed decision.”

While your new rates won’t start until July 2^nd, it is good for drivers to understand their options ahead of time. State Farm is offering customers the option of taking advantage of the new coverage options before their renewal date. We encourage drivers to make an appointment with a State Farm agent today to learn more about your options for keeping you and your family covered on the road.

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Kristyn Cook-Turner. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Michigan customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage, and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

Signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the PIP reform options take effect July 1, 2020.

Mandatory unlimited PIP coverage has been in place since 1973. PIP’s unlimited, lifetime medical benefits are paid regardless of fault and have led to increased fraud. As a result, Michigan auto insurance premiums are some of the highest in the nation.

Among the reforms to Michigan’s auto insurance system are:

• more coverage choices,

• creation of a fraud bureau,

• a fee schedule for the amounts health care providers can charge for auto insurance-related injuries, and,

• mandatory rate relief for consumers and more.

Be Prepared.

While much of the reform won’t take effect until July 2020, it’s not too soon to talk to your State Farm agent to review your current coverages.

State Farm continues to work with legislators, industry partners and other allies to promote reform solutions that benefit customers.

“We’re always evaluating how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Michigan,” said State Farm Vice President Agency Kelly O’Brien. “Improving expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverage. The effective date for new and renewal business is March 25, 2019. Customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

It was the Roaring 20’s and George Bohm, from small town Albion, Michigan, was living the dream. A very troubadour existence, traveling the country as a clarinet player with the famous John Philip Sousa Band.

His love of music expanded to other arts. He fell in love with silent films and the ornate movie houses that showed them to the world.

As a gift to his beloved community, he opened the Bohm Theatre on Christmas Day, 1929 and operated the theatre until his death 30 years later.

Like many theatres in small town America, it was the center of the community. A place for families and friends to gather, be entertained and have fun.

But after George’s death, and a revolving door of new owners, the cherished theatre closed its doors in 1991.

“Albion residents were saddened by the closing,” Mary Slater, longtime resident and business owner, said. The community was aware of the financial realities but it was hard to see something tied to so many good memories and a real centerpiece of community shut down.

In the 90’s American commerce changed drastically. Factories and mom and pop stores closed. The dot com bubble boomed – then bombed, leaving small towns like Albion in the rear view mirror. The beautiful Bohm theatre was decaying and presumed beyond repair.

That was until The Friends of the Bohm Theatre was formed and purchased the Theatre in 2011 with the sole mission of restoring it to its original beauty and grandeur.

Work on the once majestic theatre took many years, but the doors finally opened -three months ahead of schedule- in 2014. The passionate group of volunteers received the necessary funds for the restoration from many sources, including State Farm. The town rallied together to win a State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant through an online voting contest, a great example of the Albion community spirit.

“Well-wishers had an opportunity to gaze about the theatre. The restoration really was a monumental success - a magnificent masterpiece replicated to achieve its original homage,” said Nancy Doyal, Executive Director of the Bohm.

The hard work continues to pay off. In May 2015, the Bohm Theatre received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation.

The Bohm has become a place for the community to gather once again but now in a slightly different way. There’s still new movies to entertain residents but it’s also available for live music and community events that are often free to the public. From Blues at the Bohm, a live musical jam session, to a series of weekly matinees for local kids over summer break, the Bohm is once again the jewel of Albion.

Having traveled them so frequently, Kyndra Mitchell knew public transportation routes and cracks in sidewalks in the Detroit metro area by heart.

As a team member in State Farm^® Agent PD Dandnaik’s office, Kyndra’s daily routine for a year and a half included riding two city buses up to three hours and walking another mile and a half every day to get to work. She repeated the process to get home.

“It would have been easy to just say forget it, but I wanted to work and learn,” Kyndra says. “I learned how to work here.”

In addition to working part time in PD’s office as a receptionist, Kyndra attended college classes part time as she pursued her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She used public transportation and her own two feet to get there, too.

Development and investment in his team members are the backbone of PD’s office in Redford, Mich., and his second office in Detroit. He encouraged Kyndra to pursue higher education as part of her overall development in his office.

“As part of her commitment to me and my office, I thought about what I should be doing to develop and support her,” PD says.

Kyndra, who is now licensed in Property & Casualty Insurance and Bank-trained, earned her college degree in psychology in May 2016. And PD and the team were there to celebrate with her. Kyndra credits PD with encouraging her to earn her college degree despite several obstacles that stood in her way

“The last few years of my life have completely changed since I started working here,” Kyndra says. “I have become more efficient, assertive and confident in everything I do.”

Kyndra wants to pursue her career with State Farm at one of the main Hub offices with dreams of opening her own State Farm^® office someday.

And she’s not riding buses anymore to get to work as she saved enough money to buy her own car.

“PD invests so much time and energy in us, it makes you want to do well for him and the rest of the team,” Kyndra says.

Read this story on the Wall Street Journal Moneybeat Blog.

Growing up, Jasmine was missing one thing many of us take for granted—stability. Her family moved from rental property to rental property throughout her childhood.

“As a kid, if I didn’t switch schools three times a year, then it wasn’t normal to me,” Jasmine said. “I couldn’t make friends or call anywhere home. It was really hard for us. Life was chaotic.”

Now Jasmine is providing the stability she never had to her two sons Octavio (five) and Carlito (two). She built and purchased a new home through Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.

Habitat Kent, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, partners with people to build and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities while helping revitalize and restore urban neighborhoods. Habitat homebuyers help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

As part of the homeownership program, Jasmine had to earn a minimum of 275 sweat equity hours that included construction, homeownership classes, and financial education courses.

Because of the State Farm support of Habitat Kent’s homebuyer financial education program, Jasmine learned valuable information and skills necessary to pay off debt and become financially stable.

“It felt like a big weight lifted off my shoulders, like literally, because of all the medical debt that I had,” Jasmine said.

By using the snowballing debt method Jasmine focused on paying off small debts first and then slowly moving towards larger payments. She said she was able to cut back on things to save money towards debt payments.

By gaining financial peace and homeownership education, Jasmine believes she will be a better homeowner in the long run.

“They teach you so much that you feel prepared,” Jasmine said. “You have that anticipation and then you have that preparation behind that anticipation and it makes you feel powerful, I feel powerful.”

REACH Studio Art Center in Lansing, MI, received a $30,000 service-learning grant for Teen Open Studio's 2015-2016 Community Art Projects from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

REACH teens will design and create three new works of community art for partners in the 2015-2016 grant cycle. Participants will be able to complete four ten-week terms that further the goals of retention, community engagement, and mentoring of young people in Michigan, both during fabrication and long after installation of three Community Art Projects and one portfolio session/Gallery Show.

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has granted more than $36 million in grant money since its inception in 2006, empowering youth to implement service-learning in 589 communities.

About the Youth Advisory Board

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a diverse group of 30 youth, ages 17-20, who were chosen through a competitive process to lead and oversee this $5 million/year signature service-learning initiative. The Youth Board identified the issues, issued competitive grants and will now provide technical assistance, communication and oversight to site grantees.

About REACH Studio Art Center

REACH Studio Art Center is a nonprofit neighborhood space for arts education and civic engagement in REO Town. REACH programs are dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth, urban revitalization, and strengthening community. REACH connects artists with local residents, brings diverse individuals and groups together, and creates an atmosphere of shared pride and creative problem solving.

During the summer of 2003, in the small coastal town of Grand Haven, MI, tragedy struck Vicki Cech. her son, Andrew (Andy) Burton Fox, just 17 years old, lost his life.

Andy was at the lake for a swim with friends and found himself in a rip current. While surviving a rip current is possible, Andy did not make it back to shore.

“His short days on this earth impacted so many. There were more than 1200 at his funeral. I love and miss him so much,” shared Vicki. “At Young Life camp they [the campers] went around to each person and everyone yelled out things about that Andy. Someone wrote them down and one of the things said was “loves his Mom.’ Brings tears even now.”

Although this tragedy devastated the Cech family, the loss of their son gave the family the courage and determination to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Over the last 10 years, Vicki has organized many water safety efforts. Most compelling, the Cech family lined Grand Haven’s south pier with life rings and a 911 alarm system armed with security cameras.

In an effort to prevent other senseless rip current tragedies and honor Andy’s legacy, Vicki and her family created the Beach Survival Challenge. They hope this annual event will provide participants and spectators with critical information that may one day save their lives.

First held in 2004, the event gathered 64 youth. Today, Beach Survival Challenge hosts more than 500 participants and hundreds of spectators each summer. When asked what motivated her to continue the challenge, Vicki said she’s “a mom just trying to save lives.”

Through a relationship between Vicki and State Farm, funding has been made available to distribute the rip current educational DVD, Respect the Power, across Michigan. So far, the program has donated more than 6,000 DVD’s to schools, public libraries and universities.

As summer approaches, millions of Americans will head to the water. While vacationers consider UV rays and life jackets, many do not think about rip currents. Potentially dangerous rip currents can materialize along the shoreline without warning. Knowing how to swim out of a rip current could save your life.

For years, Josh Thompson, Jeremy Wetting and T.J. Duckett were working independently every Thanksgiving to provide families with a holiday meal. Thompson and Weitting were providing several Thanksgiving meals to families in Southwest Michigan. Duckett, a former professional football star, was giving out turkeys in Lansing through his non-profit, New World Flood.

They became aware of each other’s efforts and they decided to join forces four years ago to create the Hands Up Project. Since starting with only a handful of families each, and a goal to double their efforts each year after, their effort has grown exponentially. Now they make an even bigger impact on Michigan families.

“Being able to provide that one meal of the year where families spend time together and connect is what it’s all about for me,” said Jeremy, a State Farm Agent in Otsego, MI. “It’s about contributing to your community when you have the ability to do it.”

To help cover the costs of assembling and donating over 1,000 turkey dinners, the group organizes fundraisers. Duckett serves as a celebrity bartender or barista, signing autographs in exchange for tips. Proceeds are used to purchase supplies for the giveaway. Duckett was a 1998 graduate of Loy Norrix High School. He was a star running back at Michigan State University before being drafted in the first round to play football professionally. He then went on to play in in Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit and Seattle.

Duckett started a non-profit, New World Flood, to “flood the world with service." New World Flood spread the philosophy that a single raindrop is the beginning of a flood. The Hands Up Project believes that people want a “hand up, not a hand out.” Those constructive beliefs have resulted in a synergy, making a profound impact in southwest Michigan each Thanksgiving.

“People are in need all over. We have an opportunity to take care of a few of them, if just for one day,” says Duckett, who grew up in Kalamazoo and now lives in Lansing. “It’s important to give back. I realized the secret is to give and serve and put as much energy into this mission as I did into football.”