BETTENDORF, Iowa, Aug. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Head lice infamously cause stress, disgust and embarrassment for millions of moms whose kids get infested each year. But thanks to the opening of Lice Clinics of America - Quad Cities, moms in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois no longer have to worry about treating the icky bugs themselves.

Lice Clinics of America - Quad Cities provides screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. The clinic is staffed by certified operators of the AirAllé device, an FDA-cleared medical device that kills head lice and lice eggs using just heated air.

The clinic is owned by Ted and Janet Brown. The Browns, who have been married for more than 25 years, decided to open a lice clinic after their kids got head lice for the third time.

"We know firsthand how tedious it is to treat lice at home," said Ted, who directs a Children's Ministry at a local church. "Yes, you can do it, but given all the hours and stress, wouldn't you rather just have a professional do it?"

"Also, we never felt comfortable putting pesticides on our kids' heads," said Janet, who got a degree in mathematics and applied science from UCLA before becoming a full-time mom and homeschooler to their nine children. "The lice have grown resistant to the pesticides anyway, so we love treating head lice using just heated air."

The Browns said their community seems just as excited about the business as they are.

"Before we even finished the interior of our new clinic or unpacked all our equipment, we had clients calling us for help," said Janet. "None of them cared if the walls weren't yet painted or if the signs weren't installed - they needed help and wanted to be seen right away!"

Lice Clinics of America - Quad Cities is located at 333 15th Street in Bettendorf, Iowa. The clinic is open by appointment only. AirAllé treatments there take about an hour, and come with a 30-day guarantee.

The Quad Cities clinic is one of 85 U.S. clinics in the Lice Clinics of America network.

With 85 U.S. clinics and 105 international clinics, Lice Clinics of America is the largest network of professional head-lice-treatment centers in the world. Lice Clinics of America and AirAllé are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - August 11, 2015 -- Registration will close Sunday, August 16 for the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) program being offered to residents of the Quad Cities. To apply for the free program, go to www.genesisphilanthropy.org.

If clinically qualified, selected registrants can participate in a free 10-week intervention. Individuals participating in the 10-week program need to have access to a computer with high speed Internet (many libraries offer this service).

The MetS initiative includes a program called Naturally Slim™ and has been offered to employees of Genesis Health System since 2009.  Since 2009, more than 55% of the Genesis employees who had MetS in 2009 no longer have metabolic syndrome because of the healthy lifestyle techniques taught by the Naturally Slim™ class.

Each weekly session is about 30 minutes long (the first "kick-off" session is 90 minutes), which can be viewed via the web at any time throughout the week.  The value of this program is $500.  Only those who can commit to completing the 10-week program will be accepted.

The last group participating in the MetS initiative and Naturally Slim™ lost a total of 1,015.3 pounds. There was an average weight loss of 14.6 pounds and 47 participants lost more than 10 pounds. Other highlights from the last MetS Initiative group were a 63 percent reduction of high blood pressure and a 48 percent reduction in triglycerides.

Genesis Philanthropy MetS Initiative is now accepting applications from individuals interested in participating in the program who live or work in the greater Quad Cities. Financial need will be a consideration for selection.

To learn more about the regional impact of a charitable investment in Genesis Philanthropy, contact Missy Gowey, Executive Director, (563) 421-6860.

New York, NY, August 5, 2015 ... For the third consecutive year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans are teaming up to fight hate and bullying through ADL's No Place for Hate^® initiative. The goal is to provide tools to help eradicate hatred, prejudice and bullying as students and teachers prepare to head back to school this fall.

Research shows that 28 percent of students ages 12 to 18 years old report being bullied at school, and 24 percent in the same age group report being cyberbullied.

Throughout the month of August, Gordmans, which operates 101 stores in 22 states, will join ADL in a call to action encouraging individuals to take a stand against bullying and prejudice in schools and communities. Guests at Gordmans stores are invited to purchase "Helping Hands" for $1 each or more in support of the initiative. Every dollar raised will directly benefit ADL's No Place for Hate^® initiative and other anti-bullying programs.

"Our partnership with Gordmans provides critical tools to combat bullying, bias and hate," said David S. Waren, ADL Director of Education. "We can't fight these challenges alone, and Gordmans' Back-to-School "Helping Hands" campaign to support ADL's No Place for Hate program empowers shoppers and the community to get involved. With the resources from this campaign, we can better help students, educators and families create positive climates that are inclusive and safe for all. Like ADL, Gordmans has a clear commitment to having a positive impact in the communities it serves,"

"We are pleased to partner again with ADL to stop bullying in schools," said Andy Hall, president and chief executive officer of Gordmans. "For more than 100 years, ADL has worked to eradicate hatred, prejudice and bullying. It is fitting during Gordmans' 100^th anniversary this year that we continue to partner with ADL as we serve many families with school-age children. The back-to-school shopping season is the perfect time to create awareness that bullying continues to threaten students. Through our No Place for Hate^® Helping Hands campaign, we invite Gordmans' guests to join us in taking a stand against bullying. Over the past two years, more than $150,000 has been raised through this campaign that helps underwrite ADL anti-bullying workshops and anti-bias education outreach so that students can feel safe at school."

At Gordmans' retail locations across the country, the "Helping Hands" purchased by guests will be displayed in the stores, helping to raise awareness of bullying and its consequences and to inspire the public to take a stand against hate. Gordmans also will be promoting the campaign via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

ADL's nationally recognized No Place for Hate^® initiative and A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute^® anti-bullying programs enable schools to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry.  ADL's education programs have reached more than 60.5 million adults and children with anti-bias educational programming.

: @ADL_News

Gordmans (NASDAQ: GMAN) is an everyday value priced department store featuring a large selection of name brands and the latest fashions and styles at up to 60 percent off department and specialty store prices. The wide range of merchandise includes apparel and footwear for men, women and children, as well as accessories, home décor, gifts, designer fragrances, fashion jewelry, bedding and bath, accent furniture and toys. Founded in 1915, Gordmans currently operates 101 stores in 60 markets and 22 states. For more information about Gordmans, visit gordmans.com. Connect with Gordmans on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

August 1-7 is National WIC Breastfeeding Week

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is recognizing state and local agencies of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (more commonly known as WIC) that excel in offering education and support for breastfeeding mothers. As part of World Breastfeeding Week activities, Vilsack has also proclaimed this week, Aug. 1-7, as National WIC Breastfeeding Week, "in appreciation of breastfeeding mothers and of all the dedicated volunteers, professionals, communities, and organizations who support their efforts."

"The work being done by WIC programs to empower mothers to breastfeed?addressing societal barriers, enhancing peer counselor programs, building key coalitions, and more-is absolutely vital and deserves recognition," said Vilsack. "There is no better food than breast milk for a baby's first year of life. Increasing breastfeeding rates can help reduce the prevalence of various illnesses and health conditions, which in turn results in lower health care costs."

According to a 2010 study, if 90 percent of U.S. families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for six months, the United States would prevent more than 900 deaths save $13 billion per year and from reduced direct and indirect medical costs and the cost of premature death.

Throughout the week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing outstanding breastfeeding programs with WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonuses and the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence. The recognition supports the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which calls for increased emphasis on breastfeeding promotion and support in the WIC program.

This year, WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonuses are presented to large (>1,000 infants) and small (<1,000 infants) high-performing WIC agencies with the greatest improvement in the percentage of exclusively breastfed infants over the past year. A total of $500,000 will be awarded to eight state WIC agencies and Indian tribal organizations that have demonstrated successful breastfeeding promotion and support efforts. The performance bonuses highlight WIC agencies' successful breastfeeding initiatives, while encouraging and motivating other state agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support services.

For the first time, USDA is also recognizing exemplary WIC local agencies with the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence. WIC agencies utilizing the USDA Loving Support Model for a successful peer counseling program were eligible to apply for the honor, which considers their breastfeeding performance measures, effective peer counseling programs and community partnerships. A total of 55 local WIC agencies across the country qualified for an award. By recognizing their success and sharing best practices, the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence will provide successful models and motivation to other WIC local agencies with the goal of ultimately increase breastfeeding rates among WIC participants.

The WIC program provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Services are made available through approximately 1,900 local agencies and 10,000 clinic sites. Visit www.fns.usda.gov/WIC to learn more about the WIC program.

In addition to WIC, USDA's Food and Nutrition Services administers several other programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit www.fns.usda.gov.