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Ileana Hernandez of Manatt Discusses the Fed Crackdown on Healthcare Fraud

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The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a federal interagency team of law enforcement agents, prosecutors, and industry experts, was created by the Obama administration in 2009 to combat healthcare fraud. The mission of HEAT is to reduce financial losses for U.S. taxpayers caused by Medicare and Medicaid fraud through enhanced collaboration between health care enforcement agencies and by focusing on eliminating fraudulent billing practices, prosecuting those who are engaging in healthcare fraud schemes, increasing the number of criminal prosecutions, expanding its reach to civil remedies, and encouraging increased sharing of information between public-and private-sector partners.

Ileana Hernandez of Manatt’s Healthcare Litigation Practice Group is a member of the firm’s healthcare litigation practice. Ms. Hernandez discussed how the government task force is targeting Medicare and Medicaid fraud and how Manatt’s lawyers are advising clients on compliance with the federal False Claims Act.

Hernandez said that under the Obama administration, enforcement actions had emphasized prevention instead of just going after fraudulent individuals after a crime has been committed. “It was a little bit less about targeting and trying to ferret out who the actual perpetrators were, and just a lot more about preventing them from engaging in conduct that would lead to potential fraud,” Hernandez said. “And I think we saw a couple of big changes with respect to any law enforcement initiative really under the Obama administration.”

Recently, however, according to Hernandez, the tone and tenor of the government’s enforcement actions under the Trump administration has shifted. “We see now that uptick in those criminal prosecutions that we hadn’t really seen before,” she said.

Hernandez also noted that as part of their increased focus, federal officials are now looking at who is facilitating the fraud and the individuals participating in it. “Under the Obama administration, they were very much focused on holding accountable those who were carrying out the fraud; now we’re seeing that they’re targeting those who are facilitating the fraud or making sure that it’s successful,” she said. “I think what you see now is a lot more criminal prosecutions of third parties—so not only your traditional defendant who may be part of a corporate entity, but you’re seeing more and more of those third parties like medical directors and like marketers, and people responsible for kind of carrying out or facilitating the fraud, [being targeted]. So as a result, you see them being charged criminally; I think that’s another big change we’ve seen over the last year.”

Another shift in enforcement strategies is the government’s increased use of civil remedies under the False Claims Act. “We’re seeing more qui tam lawsuits—a lot more than we’ve seen in the past,” Hernandez said, referring to whistleblower cases that are filed in accordance with the False Claims Act and in which private citizens take legal action against individuals or companies on the government’s behalf due to fraud. “They stand to receive a percentage of whatever funds are collected… And I think you’re hearing more about those because there is less incentive now for the corporations to self-report.”

Hernandez noted that although it’s still early in the current administration, the shift she has observed in enforcement actions so far is a positive one. “It definitely feels like there’s a bit more of a focus on going after those who are facilitating the fraud or making sure that it’s successful,” she said.

Attorney Ken Julian on the Opioid Crisis Litigation

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The United States of America has declared war on the opioid epidemic, and the federal government is bringing its vast resources to bear on this crisis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified over 72,000 deaths in 2020 alone due to opioid overdoses.

As federal and state attorney’s general continue to file lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, physicians, and pharmacies responsible for the opioid epidemic, one lawyer has become an expert in this space.

Attorney Ken Julian of Manatt says the litigation revolving around opioids has expanded to hundreds of cases across the country.

The litigation involves many different legal theories, including fraud, breach of warranty, and violations under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The lawsuits allege that drug companies misled prescribers about the amount of opioids needed for chronic pain management by overstating benefits and understating risks associated with opioids.

Many of the lawsuits allege drug companies led prescribers to believe it was safe to prescribe large amounts of opioids for chronic pain relief and that doing so would not lead to addiction. The cases also allege that drug companies engaged in deceptive marketing by using front organizations to promote the use of opioid medications for unapproved conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain.

“Pharmaceutical companies are finding themselves in the crosshairs of the federal government,” said Julian, a partner in Manatt’s Litigation Department. The latter helps health care companies understand and comply with legal and regulatory issues. “The lawsuits allege that pharmaceutical companies contributed to the opioid epidemic by engaging in a variety of deceptive marketing practices designed to increase profits at the expense of public safety.”

One of the most high-profile cases alleges that Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin and other opioids, misled doctors and patients about the dangers of their medications. As a result, dozens of states and localities have sued Purdue, seeking to hold the companies accountable for their role in creating a public health crisis. “The litigation is complex and requires expertise across many areas of law,” Julian said. “We are working closely with clients to help them understand the legal issues involved in these cases.”

“Businesses can confront opioid litigation in many ways,” Julian added. “First, companies should make sure they are complying with all federal and state laws governing opioids, including proper distribution of controlled substances, data collection, and reporting requirements.”

Finally, companies should implement and enforce a strong compliance program that includes training to ensure employees understand and follow all laws and regulations. “The tides are turning quickly,” Julian said. “It’s critical for companies to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to opioid litigation.”

Julian also believes that the current wave of litigation is just the beginning of a series of lawsuits that will target opioid manufacturers, distributors, and prescribers.

“While some may say the worst has passed in the battle against opioids, I believe we have just begun to see what this crisis will bring,” Julian said. “There’s a long road ahead for those who manufacture and distribute opioids as well as those who prescribe them.”

Immigrating From Asia to the USA

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What is the difference between living in Asia and living in the USA

The most obvious difference is the cultural and social values and how they are expressed. When you visit America, take a look at some of the ads on TV or in magazines. Notice how consumer-oriented American culture tends to be; that is, it is more about what kind of product will do me good than about who I am as a person.

One example would be an ad for a pill that promises to make people thin: this focuses on something other than nourishment or health. People feel they must choose between purchasing all kinds of different products to fit into society successfully, not realizing that what truly makes them happy has nothing to do with material consumption.

Why do people immigrate to the United States from other countries

Some people immigrate with the idea of starting a business or achieving success in the US that they couldn’t perform at home because of social and cultural barriers. Others are attracted by lower living costs, better educational opportunities for their children, and freedom from religious persecution that would otherwise be imposed on them in their homeland.

People come to America seeking safety, freedom, economic prosperity, and happiness. But many immigrants have found hardship instead of the “American Dream.” Some were misled into believing in myths about what awaits them when they arrive in this country. Many came without money but with plenty of hope, only to find themselves destitute upon arrival or soon afterward. And some suffered physically and emotionally during the arduous trip across the ocean to America.

What are some of the challenges that immigrants face when they come to America

When you are born in a country like Vietnam or China, you don’t have many opportunities to get the career jobs most Americans enjoy every day. People from Asia usually have to work very hard to survive each day without having much extra money left over at the end of the day. There is a different environment in America that allows people to take their jobs more seriously and work hard to get promotions or higher paychecks each month. You cannot depend on the government for food stamps or welfare checks in many other places, so it’s challenging for you to live comfortably without having a steady job that pays well.

Another thing that you notice when you move to America, everything here works better than it did in the country where you were born. In Asia, everyone’s very busy trying to make a living, so they don’t have time for other people. It seems like everyone wants to take advantage of others there; here, there’s a lot more trust and fairness between different kinds of people who live together.

How does immigration affect culture, politics, and the economy?

Many countries require that potential immigrants be skilled, wealthy, or highly educated. Others favor the relatives of current residents and citizens over others. The United States has always had a different approach to immigration. It welcomes anyone who wants to come here as long as they are not dangerous criminals and are willing to work hard at low-skilled jobs for modest wages while learning English.

The United States has always had a different approach to immigration. It welcomes anyone who wants to come here as long as they are not dangerous criminals and are willing to work hard at low-skilled jobs for modest wages while learning English. The melting pot, or the idea that immigrants can become Americans even though they still have their customs and cultural traits, is very much part of American history.

Does immigration have a positive or negative impact on society

Immigration is a global phenomenon fueled by social, economic, political, and religious factors. With its robust economy and stringent immigration policies, the US is the destination of many immigrants from Asia.

It is a basic human right and a national privilege. It is also a critical component of the global economy, as immigrants contribute to national growth by bringing new skills and ideas in fields such as business, medicine, technology, and science.

Do you believe that additional limits on immigration into America should be implemented?

The issue of immigration is a controversial one. The United States has always had immigration because we are a nation founded by immigrants. However, over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in illegal immigration and legal immigration from countries all over the world.

The biggest problem with immigration and the one that nobody wants to talk about is that there is now a large population living on welfare and food stamps, taking away valuable tax dollars from paying for functions such as public education. People immigrating into America want what we have here—good jobs, good schools, good roads, good safety, etc.—but they don’t want to pay their fair share for it. This may be OK when there aren’t too many people doing this, but in California alone, 1 million illegal aliens draw over $7 billion in benefits from welfare and food stamps. This money should be allocated to pay for schools, health care, infrastructure maintenance, and police services. These people are taking things that Americans have worked hard for without paying their fair share like everyone else has had to do.

For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.

 

Ways Our Communities Can Overcome Healthcare Accessibility + Delivery

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If you work in healthcare in any capacity, you know that there are many challenges which require creative new strategies to get through. As a member of a healthcare community, it is up to you and your peers to constantly be brainstorming ways to do better and to put these ideas to use wherever possible.

No matter where you are in your career, you are always learning, growing and striving to do better for the general public and for your community as a whole. Healthcare accessibility and delivery are two of the biggest issues that are brought up most often as being problematic. This can be due to the financial limitations to many U.S citizens that prevent them from obtaining a healthcare resource along with many other factors that include a shortage of physicians and high cost of pharmaceuticals. There are alternative options that can assist in the delivery and accessibility of healthcare so keeping yourself on the pulse of these developments can be extremely beneficial to your community. Here are a few ways that our communities can overcome healthcare accessibility and delivery.

Educate Ourselves

By understanding the challenges we face globally when it comes to healthcare delivery, we are better equipped to design solutions and overcome them. Educating ourselves is the first step we can take to improve the way things run. Many great classes are offered, both online and in person. Consider taking a course to complement your medical knowledge. The right course can expand your medical knowledge by providing the right managerial and soft skills to implement your own approach.

Communicate

Communicating with others in your field is important so that you know that you are all on the same page when it comes to the challenges you face and the ways you plan to overcome them. Healthcare accessibility and delivery professionals face so many unique challenges and there will not always be a one size fits all solution.

Communicate effectively to get your points across whether you are meeting in person or via video chat, talking on the phone, or emailing back and forth. Proper communication will allow you to implement solutions more quickly so that you can move on and continue to help the global healthcare industry to evolve.

Pay Attention To Other Communities

Watching what other communities are doing in terms of healthcare accessibility and delivery is a good way to see what works and what doesn’t before you begin to implement strategies within your own community. Don’t be afraid to talk to healthcare professionals in other communities so you can understand what they are doing to combat the challenges, and whether or not they would recommend you do the same.

No matter how great the challenges staring at you may seem, with an entire community of intelligent, passionate, and hard working people standing by your side you can get through anything. Healthcare is an ever-changing world and it is up to us to grow with it and help to improve it every step of the way.

 

Practices That Can Work as The Best Employee Rewards Programs

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When an employee works in the organization, it is not just some pay or the advantages that he is excited about but also the fair treatment and recognition that matters. This would make quite a good contribution from the end of the employee towards the betterment of the organization. The overall work performance can get better and that is when the best employee rewards programs can be of great help. In order to show appreciation, there are so many employers who usually implement such programs and give employees the achievement recognition they deserve.

Some of the common programs that usually recognize the employee:

  • Length of service may be like six-year increments
  •  Additional paid time off
  •  A one-time achievement that comes with an on-the-spot cash award
  • Noteworthy performance over certain time for employees that contributed to the work quality

Practices for employee rewards programs:

  • Comes up with meaningful reward option

It is always good to come up with some better reward option be it monetary or non-monetary. But what matters the most is it should be meaningful. Maybe everyone should be rewarded for the hard work and different reward options should be offered like free pizza, a cash bonus for the one who performed quite good

  • Create rewards programs that are trackable

It is not always possible to optimize what cannot be measured. It rather is quite impossible to even measure the traditional or even ad hoc programs’ impact. That is why if the employee is given a gift card or cheers at the team meeting, there is a possibility for better productivity of the person. The platform of public recognition can work as the tool to measure the investment that employee has put to achieve the reward. If the rewards are associated with core values or skills, it can be tracked down as per the number of times that an employee got recognition for a certain skill or value.

  • Coming up with real-time recognition

The recognition of an employee works more like an employee engagement power tool. However, a pre-determined bonus or even the spontaneous reignition for good work is not something that an employee can really look forward to. Rather it adds positive behaviour along with generating better results. Besides, recognition connects the people who give praises with those who receive it. It is always wise to invest in such rewards programs as it showcases the employee’s hard work for the business betterment over time. It is good to support such a platform as it only contributes to the better performance of the employee in the organization.

Conclusion

With so many best employee reward programs that have been invested, it can range from the spoken thank you to the written thank you note or even the gift certificate. Some companies even offer the vacation package as a part of special achievement while some reward non monetary awards like public recognition or events of staff appreciation. The efforts that employees put in should be recognized because they deserve it and hence such programs should be a part of every organization be it small or large scale.

 

Why it Makes Complete Sense to Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your Business or Personal Requirements

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The ‘work from home’ scenario hasn’t been so common – until fairly recently, at least. More people are working from home these days, and one of the most popular ‘work from home’ jobs is as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants have become in high demand these days, and this isn’t that surprising considering the many benefits such an assistant can bring. Of course, whilst there are plenty of virtual assistants you can choose from nowadays, they can come with varying sets of skills, from office administration to transcription to scheduling, data entry, and even accounting and bookkeeping.

But is the solution presented by a virtual assistant the right fit for your needs? Here’s why it makes complete sense to hire a virtual assistant for your business or personal requirements.

Their benefits and advantages

  • Reduced costs in labour

Consider this: if you try to go the traditional route and hire an assistant who will work full time for you, this will undoubtedly cost more than hiring a virtual assistant. This is because you will have to contend with taxes and sick or holiday leaves, not to mention employee’s compensation and medical plus dental benefits. But if you go for a virtual assistant, you are working with an independent contractor or freelancer, which means they will take care of their taxes, expenses, and even their National Insurance contributions.

The arrangement is such that you can hire the virtual assistant to do a particular job, and when they have done it, you can pay them for the hours they spent doing that job. Thus, you don’t have to waste money paying someone for being idle, as you can track the hours they’ve worked and only settle payment for the actual work they have finished.

  • Better productivity

Speaking of which, imagine this scenario: in the UK, the average worker or employee may not do more than three hours of ‘real’ work, so why should you pay your workers to sit and gossip around the water cooler? A virtual assistant will not work the same way – they will be able to focus on the work you need them to do and commit their time to it without being distracted by the goings-on in a typical office setup.

  • Enhanced flexibility

When you enlist the services of a virtual assistant, you don’t have to follow a standard workday. Instead, your virtual assistant will work according to your schedule and timeframe and make sure they are available whenever you need them. And here’s another thing: if you end up being dissatisfied with the services provided by your VA, it’s not that difficult to end the term or contract and opt for another virtual assistant, perhaps from a better agency as well.

  • A better quality of work

Answering calls, arranging schedules and calendars, and confirming meetings and appointments can take up far too much of your time, and doing all these things on top of managing your career or personal life can lead to wrecked nerves! But if you have a virtual assistant working for you, you can have a better quality of work as you have more time to focus on what’s important rather than trying to deal with your meetings, schedule, calls and emails, and more. It’s a win-win situation all around, and there’s no reason why anyone should not take advantage of it.

Binance Vs Coinbase- Which Is The Best One To Choose As Cryptocurrency

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You have heard about Binance and Coinbase, both are popular and the trusted cryptocurrency to get hold of in the current times. If you are thinking about which one to choose, you cannot easily decide as both have different features that make your cryptocurrency payment easier and hassle-free. Some think that how these two platforms come to mind at the same time. If you are thinking deep into cryptocurrency platforms, you might come across these two items on a research basis.

One company was established in the tech towers in Shanghai, and the other one was established in the VC-ridden hills at Silicon Valley. Despite being the two most popular among the three large cryptocurrencies, Binance and Coinbase are different platforms for different users.

Like the other crypto-related items, Binance and Coinbase provide access to the various coins and the platform features depending on the user’s location. However, some countries take it harder to check the retail trading for cryptocurrencies, whereas the other nations completely embrace it.

This makes it too difficult for these exchange platforms for determining the universal rules for all the users. Sometimes, it causes legal issues. Therefore, it is very important to understand the local laws and regulations to determine whether coinbase Vs Binance or any other cryptocurrency that is far better than this. In this blog, you will get a deeper look on the features of these two platforms, currencies offered and their benefits and disadvantages.

An Overview of the Coinbase

Let’s check this; it is one of the largest and the most popular cryptocurrency exchange platforms available in North America as per the trading volume. This American trading platform was founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong, who was the Airbnb engineer before in his life. It has grown from the obscure San Fran start-up to the $85 bn+ trading company. This exchange platform now has 40 million verified users, and it is the 3rd largest cryptocurrency exchange globally after Binance and Huobi.

The Features Of This Crypto Currency Platform

This platform operates in more than 100 nations as the mobile app and the web platform on iOS and Android, Mac, Linux and many more. This platform allows you to buy, sell and also exchange 50 available crypto-currencies. This also will enable you to check the price chart and data for many other coins available.

The Benefits Of Using This Crypto Currency Platform-

It is one of the easiest solutions for users looking for ways to buy Bitcoin. In crypto, there is a slight barrier for the users to enter U.S. bank accounts. However, this platform makes it easier to link with the bank account. Though the process seems simple, the more you enter the process, you will be involved in the tricks and tips. It has excellent infrastructure and also customer support. If you are looking for the best cryptocurrency to invest in 2021, this platform can be the best solution for you.

On the other hand, the Binance platform is the largest cryptocurrency in the globe. It was founded in the year 2017 by the developer and Fintech entrepreneur Changpeng Zhao. The function of this platform is similar to the Coinbase, but here, the users can trade more than 500 crypto-currencies. The best part of this platform is that it has the lowest fees in this industry. It has lots of options for the beginner as well as for the advanced traders too.

For U.S. traders, there are so many other options available in the market. But, if you are searching for the best types of cryptocurrencies, Binance and Coinbase are the best ones. Now, you can choose as per your requirement.

 

How to Afford an Apartment in Lincoln

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Lincoln has a lot to offer residents as the capital of the state. Although apartments in Lincoln, NE aren’t as expensive as in major cities like New York City or Los Angeles, Lincoln apartments can still get quite expensive. When you factor in rising rent prices and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to understand why some people may struggle with affording an apartment in the city. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take that can land you a better deal on an apartment, and better your financial situation. Here’s how to afford an apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Save Up

If you’re looking to afford a new apartment, then you’ll want to save up some money. When you sign a lease, not only will you have to pay rent every month, you’ll also have to pay some money upfront. For example, many landlords require a security deposit as a way to protect their property, with the deposit usually equaling one month of rent. Although you’ll get this money back when your lease is over if you take care of your apartment, that could be months or years down the line. Additionally, many landlords require you to pay the first month’s rent upfront, and some may even require the first and last month’s rent along with a security deposit. This can add up to quite the hefty initial payment. In order to afford this, you should cut expenses and save money every month. Not only will this allow you to pay the initial fees, if you save up enough, it’ll also create a buffer that can help you pay for rent down the line.

Live with a Roommate

A fantastic way to cut down on rent prices and make an apartment more affordable is living with a roommate. Living by yourself will result in high rent prices and will mean you’ll have to pay utilities by yourself. On the other hand, living with a roommate can slash your rent and utilities in half, making the apartment much more affordable. However, when you do this make sure your apartment is big enough to house 2 people with no conflicts. Additionally, try to room with someone you know and are comfortable with, just to prevent any roommate disputes in the future. Although living with a roommate may not seem like the most attractive lifestyle option, it can make paying rent so much easier.

Supplementary Income

If you’re already struggling to make ends meet, you might think it’s impossible to save up money or afford another bill. If this is the case, then you might benefit from adding a form of supplementary income. There’s plenty of freelance work available for a side hustle, and options like rideshare and food delivery are becoming more common. Doing these activities may only take up a few hours a week, but can provide you with enough income to have the financial flexibility to afford an apartment.

Shop Around

While you’re looking to get your financial situation in order, it’s important to continually shop around for the cheapest deal possible. Not every apartment listing will be easy to find and you may have to shop around to find really good deals. When shopping for anything, you should always compare prices and try to find the best deal. Many people make the mistake of jumping at the first apartment listing they like, meaning that they potentially miss out on other deals. Remain diligent in your apartment hunt, and you should find a listing that is more than affordable.

 

3 Tips To Help You Become More Comfortable As A Salesperson

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If you’ve found yourself a job in sales but you’ve never really thought of yourself as much of a salesperson, you might find that you don’t feel completely comfortable in your new role. However, just because you might not describe yourself as a salesperson doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to become a more comfortable salesperson while still being true to yourself.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips to help you become more comfortable as a salesperson.

Become An Expert In What You’re Selling

One reason why you might not feel super comfortable as a salesperson is because you might not have a great wealth of knowledge about the thing you’re selling. If you’re trying to show someone how they need your product or service in their life but you can’t give them accurate or convincing details as to why, it’s easy to see how anyone could be uncomfortable with this.

If this is the case for you, the first thing you need to do is to become an expert in the thing that you’re selling. If you haven’t already used the product or service yourself, doing so can give you a lot of great information and experience that you can use to help you through the sales process. It will also help you to answer any questions that others might have for you, which is a huge part of the sales process.

Don’t Think Of Yourself As A Salesperson

If you haven’t had great experiences with salespeople in the past, you might find that you have a negative impression of salespeople in general, which can make it hard for you to want to have this as your career. However, if you can disassociate yourself from the title of salesperson, you might find your job easier and more enjoyable to do.

Rather than thinking of yourself as trying to sell something to people, consider yourself as a guide to help people find a solution to whatever problems they’re facing. This way, you can see yourself as a helper rather than as someone who’s just trying to make a sale.

Practice Talking To People

Many salespeople find that they feel most uncomfortable with the idea of having to speak with people that they don’t know.

To help you feel more comfortable with this aspect of your job, you’ll need to get some practice with talking to people. As you start, consider speaking with people you know and feel comfortable with first. Then, you can move onto speaking more comfortably with acquaintances and even people that you don’t know at all.

If you’re needing to become more comfortable in your role as a salesperson, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get to this point.

 

Prepare your child for in-person learning: academic skills

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As K-12 students get ready for in-person learning, parents want to know how to help their child succeed in core subjects like math. There are worries about learning loss during the pandemic. It is important for a child and their parents to know that some measure of falling behind is normal. As divorced couples attempt to co-parent, without having to argue and hire a local divorce lawyer to settle their differences, getting a child prepared for the challenging learning during COVID is a great first step.

The pandemic has led children and parents to be frustrated, sad, and angry. Emotions have impacted academic learning. They will continue to impact achievement in the coming year.

Parents can help by adopting a positive attitude. They should encourage their child to move forward.

It is OK for a parent to assist and guide their child’s academic work at home. This helps ensure their child receives guidance and support out of the classroom. It is fine to show approval and provide rewards when a child completes academic work.

Create a reward system

Schools often reward students who complete work on time with approval and small prizes. Parents can do this too. Yet it’s a good idea to move away from buying things. A parent can create a “sticker card” for the week. Award a smiley face or sticker of the child’s choice when the child gets certain tasks done. Other rewards can include fake gold coins, the chance to watch a favorite video, a short walk outside, the chance to shoot some hoops with the parent, and the chance to engage in a cooking or arts and crafts activity with the parent.

Reading aloud works

A child’s reading skills and ability to present to others improve when they read aloud. Sit with your child and alternate reading pages in a book of their choice. It will ease their anxiety if you or they choose a book that is at or slightly below grade level. Your child may want to take the lead and read a full page. Avoid correcting mistakes until after the child completes a page.

Repetition helps math skills

Look at the state standards for your child’s math instruction. See what skills your child needs to be learning. Then research and print out worksheets that drill them on exercises for the skills. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), review the plan and their current progress in the subject.

Before your child starts work, give them scratch paper. Encourage them to use a lot of it to show their work. Look over the work to see what mistakes they may be making. It’s a good idea to find online resources that have answer keys.

Later you may want to time your child on certain exercises. If your child does not do the whole worksheet, make sure they do several of the easiest problems, a few of the middle-range problems, and two or three of the hardest problems. This gets them used to not everything being easy.

Art extensions relieve stress

In class, teachers often assign art activities that relate to a reading, science, or math unit. Students draw, paint, or cut up materials after the initial work is done. The “art extension” from the primary activity helps students relax. Then they understand the concepts in the primary activity better.

It is a great idea for a parent to ask their child to draw a picture or make a craft after the child practices the primary activity. For example, if a child is learning to subtract, they could draw pictures where there is a group of things, and some of the items disappear. Such as a picture of a tree full of 17 apples, then a picture of two children picking apples from the tree, and finally a picture of the tree with only three apples left.

The child can write the equation: “17 – 3 = 14” at the bottom. The parent should put the child’s work on display in the kitchen or another place where family members can see it and talk about it. Even if the artwork itself is not superb, the fact that the child connected art and mathematics is amazing.