California Board Of Behavioral Sciences Approves Northcentral University's Marriage & Family Therapy Master's Program

Underscoring the quality of its 100% online Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) master’s degree program, Northcentral University today announced that the program is now approved as meeting the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist set by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

In doing so, the University joins a select number of regionally accredited online universities, and the first university based outside of the state of California, to meet the rigorous standards established by the BBS, according to Dr. Branden Henline, Chair of Marriage and Family Therapy Programs. The MFT master’s level program began as a specialization in psychology in 2004 and was introduced as a new master’s degree program by the University in January 2010. The University also launched an MFT doctoral degree program at that time.

“We have worked hard to design a curriculum and clinical training process that sets new standards for MFT education,” Dr. Henline said today. “We are pleased, but not surprised, that our programs meet the education requirements for licensure by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. With this achievement, we are truly breaking down the barriers to online Marriage and Family Therapy education and training.”

What’s more, according to Dr. Henline, while a select number of other regionally accredited online universities have been approved by BBS, Northcentral University is unique in that its program does not require periods of physical residency on campus. “This provides our Learners with an enormous degree of flexibility. They do not have to disrupt their professional life, family schedules, or incur costly travel expenses in order to complete their degree program. And, while most universities only offer master’s level training, we also offer a doctoral level program with several specialization options.”

Northcentral University’s MFT graduate programs broke new ground in higher education when they were first introduced in January 2010. Other marriage and family therapy degree programs have residency requirements, which can be costly and difficult to schedule. Some programs that appear to be focused on marriage and family therapy are in fact generic counseling programs that offer a few courses in family therapy. “Marriage and family therapy is a unique profession and requires a curriculum that is clearly focused on training MFTs. Northcentral University offers genuine family therapy training with a course-by-course focus on MFT practice. By granting approval for the education requirements for licensure, the Board of Behavioral Sciences has recognized that our dedication to these specific material subjects puts us ahead of other online programs.”

Northcentral University's clinically-focused Marriage and Family Therapy MA and PhD degree programs can lead to a career as a licensed therapist and can prepare students for therapeutic and educational careers in a variety of settings including private practice, mental-health centers, public-service agencies, correctional institutions, the military and schools.

These degrees provide an integrated learning experience that explores family and couple dynamics, family therapy models and interventions, therapy with children and adolescents, couple’s therapy, working with people in crisis, issues related to gender and diversity, individual and family development, ethics and current research in family therapy. Degree requirements also involve ongoing clinical work and supervision. The degree offerings prepare students for a professional practice consistent with their personal goals. The fact that the coursework is designed to meet the BBS’ rigorous requirements ensures that the education and training received reflects the highest academic and ethical standards.

Northcentral offers the following MFT graduate degree programs:

* Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program develops the personal and professional skills necessary for an effective practice and is designed to meet national standards so graduates can seek licensure in the area where they reside. Individuals are encouraged to review their own local licensure regulations in order to ensure that this program meets their needs.

* Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program offers advanced clinical education and training, opportunities to develop specializations tailored to individual interests, research coursework and opportunities, and supervision training and experience. As a PhD graduate, individuals will be prepared to carry out advanced clinical work and supervision and/or education and research in the field of marriage and family therapy. Doctoral Specializations are available in General Family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy, Couple Therapy, Medical Family Therapy, and Therapy with Military Families.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences is dedicated to protecting Californians by promoting consumer awareness, advocating for improved mental health services, and setting, communicating, and enforcing standards. The Board of Behavioral Sciences is a California state regulatory agency responsible for licensing, examination, and enforcement of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). In addition, the Board regulates Marriage and Family Therapist Interns (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW), Continuing Education Providers (PCE), and MFT Referral Services (MRF).

The Board also works alongside other mental health agencies and organizations to advocate for increased consumer awareness and access to mental health services. The Board’s outreach program provides information to consumers, licensees, registrants, and students on consumer rights, California licensing requirements, and other Board related activities. The Board is composed of 12 members; seven (7) public members, two (2) Licensed Clinical Social Workers, one (1) Licensed Educational Psychologist, and two (2) Marriage and Family Therapists. Nine (9) members are Governor appointed. The Speaker of the Assembly appoints one (1), and the Senate Committee on Rules appoints another.

About Northcentral University: Since its founding in 1996 Northcentral University has pioneered a distinct approach to online Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post Graduate education that is dedicated to teaching individuals rather than classes. Combining the power of the Internet with an unparalleled faculty mentored approach, Northcentral offers students the flexibility to cost-effectively study on their own schedule using their own individual style while receiving personalized attention from course instructors whenever it is needed. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the for-profit, 100% online university currently serves nearly 10,000 students worldwide, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, and Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Forward-Thinking Minnesota Builder Now Pre-Wires Every New House For ELAN g! Whole Home Automation

When Rocky DiGiacomo, a forward-thinking Minneapolis home builder, heard about the ELAN® g! Series IP-based Home Control System that can use the iPhone to control every household function, he knew home buyers would love it. Now DiGiacomo is putting his belief into action and pre-wiring every new home he builds with ELAN g! home control technology — leaving it up to the consumer to then decide which functions and which components they want to install in their new home as part of the finishing process.

DiGiacomo, founder of 20-year old DiGiacomo Homes and Renovation, Inc., wanted his houses to include value-added features to differentiate them from the competition, and he found one solution – ELAN g! He believes the ELAN g! system is going to help him sell a new $1.3 million house in Golden Valley, Minnesota. This is his first ELAN g! system installation, and he integrated 6-zone independent and simultaneous audio/video sourcing into 9 rooms, energy management control, and pre-wired for the home’s security system and surveillance cameras.

Well aware of the iPhone’s massive popularity, he believes that the ELAN g! iPhone app is a way to make home control simple and intuitive. The ELAN g! app is also available on internet-connected iPads, laptops, and PCs, providing complete home control from anywhere in the world.

“We’ve seen the success of the iPhone, and believe that with it, we can make home control attractive and accessible to anyone,” said DiGiacomo. “The ELAN g! app is simple enough for anyone to use, and can even do some things on its own, such as when you pull in the driveway, it can automatically open the garage door and turn off the security system. You don’t even have to hit a button. And you can monitor security cameras and control climate settings from anywhere in the world.”

When DiGiacomo heard about ELAN g! he turned to J.J. Vanderson & Co., a dealer that has been selling ELAN systems for more than 15 years, for a demo. Owner Jay Vandermyde asserts that people who want home control want all the features that ELAN g! offers, including web-streaming music and audio/video distribution. And he tells builders that with remote lighting and heating controls, the ELAN g! System even helps homeowners save on energy costs and makes homes more eco-friendly.

“In today’s crowded marketplace, builders need to make their properties stand out from the competition,” said Vandermyde. “ELAN g! is great because the consumer can expand the system as their needs and wants change. It’s easy to sell, easy to demo, and easy to install and maintain, which limits or eliminates service calls.”

The ELAN g! Series Home Control System provides users with the most uniform and intuitive icon-based control from their favorite devices, including TVs, touch screens, touch pads, PCs, iPhones, and iPads. The standardized interface works across platforms, so that the trendy g!Mobile app users love on the iPhone appears and works similarly on ELAN touch screens, valets and handheld remotes as well as users' televisions and mobile devices. And the system's IP backbone makes it just as easy to control the system from across the room as across the globe.

Individual apps for each subsystem allow the user to control security, climate, lighting, media, irrigation, pool/spa, messaging, video and photos with the flick of a finger. Access is fast and secure through any ELAN home interface or globally with mobile Internet enabled devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Netbooks, and PC Tablets. Since the intuitive interface empowers users with personalized scheduling and detailed history views, high consumption subsystems like lighting and climate can be closely monitored and managed for a greener lifestyle - and substantial energy savings.

New Dual Use Waterproof Outdoor Flashlight Puts Safety First For Motorists, Bicyclists, Boaters, Campers And Homeowners!

An innovative new dual-use LED flashlight was introduced today by Sentina™, the industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, affordably priced, eco-friendly LED consumer and business lighting solutions.

Available for immediate purchase here for just $16, the waterproof Sentina uLite LED-76 with a magnetic base delivers 100 Lumens of hands-free lighting wherever it is needed. With two settings, one that projects forward and one that shines red as an emergency warning light, the uLite LED-76 is perfect for use in the home or as an emergency flashlight in the car. It also makes an excellent bicycle headlight thanks to the included mounting bracket. And, because it is totally waterproof, the uLite LED-76 can be used anywhere on the water or under water!

The magnetic base can be applied to any metal surface, providing hands-free use and making it an indispensable roadside companion in the event you have to fix a flat tire or need attention on the highway.

Sentina’s LED lights are highly energy efficient, last a lifetime, and produce super-bright white light. Three AAA alkaline batteries provide up to 15 hours of use in flashlight mode and up to 70 hours of use in beacon mode. Built to heavy-duty standards and completely waterproof, the uLite LED-76 travels and performs anywhere people travel — at home, in the car, on the boat, in the truck, or outdoors on the hiking trail!

Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Sentina™, a division of Teledex, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovatively designed, affordably priced consumer and business LED lighting solutions, household, travel and mobility, products that are both energy and cost efficient. For more than 15 years, the company has proudly met the needs of smart consumers seeking smarter living solutions. To date, more than 20-million consumers have joined the Sentina family of satisfied customers.

ELAN® Home Systems Introduces Turnkey ELAN g! Series Dealer Demo System

Underscoring its commitment to enable dealers communicate the full benefits of its ELAN® g! Series Home Control System to the largest number of end-users in the shortest amount of time, ELAN Home Systems today announced the introduction of its ELAN g! Dealer Demo System, an ultra-affordable fully capable demo system for showroom or on-site demonstrations. The system will be introduced at EHX Expo 2011 at Booth 1001 in Orlando, Florida from March 17-19.

According to Joe Lautner, Manager of Business Development and Product Management for ELAN Home Systems, the fully configured, ready-to-go g! Dealer Demo System will be offered to its certified dealer network at an extremely attractive price. The system includes a controller, 7” touch screen, 4” touch pad in a tabletop mount, the brand-new HR2 remote, an amplifier, 2 tabletop Sunfire® speakers, a Panasonic IP camera, all the g! Pro Apps, and 5 viewer licenses to connect iPhones, iPads and computers. The system includes all the parts necessary to connect the gear and make it work. All the dealer needs to add is a television to demonstrate the On-Screen Display (OSD).

“Our new g! Dealer Demo System truly speaks for itself. By offering a full system at such at such an aggressive price point, we’re effectively removing the price barrier for dealers to show off the complete capabilities of the remarkable g! system,” said Lautner. “This exceptional demo package will help dealers sell more g! systems by showcasing its simplicity and vast range of features.”

The g! Dealer Demo System arrives pre-configured in demo mode, so dealers will be and to play music, view and control the IP camera and demo all other system applications. The demo system can be easily transported to a customer home, a home show or anywhere a dealer wishes to demonstrate the powerful ELAN g! entertainment and control features. The system can also be used to run a showroom by connecting it to all the demo room’s systems.

The ELAN g! Series Home Control System provides users with the most uniform and intuitive, icon-based control from their favorite devices including TVs, touchscreens, touchpads, PCs , iPhones, and iPads. The standardized interface works across platforms, so that the trendy g! Mobile app that users love on the iPhone appears and works similarly on ELAN touchscreens, valets and handheld remotes as well as users' televisions and mobile devices. And the system's IP backbone makes it just as easy to control the system from across the room - or across the globe.

Individual "apps" for each subsystem allow the user to control security, climate, lighting, media, irrigation, pool/spa, messaging, video and photos with the flick of a finger. Access is fast and secure through any ELAN home interface or globally with mobile Internet enabled devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Netbooks, and PC Tablets. Since the intuitive interface empowers users with personalized scheduling and detailed history views, high consumption subsystems like lighting and climate can be closely monitored and managed for a greener lifestyle - and substantial energy savings.

New California Veterans' Home Points The Way To The Future With Installation of Motion Sensitive LED Lighting

The brand new West Los Angeles, California Veterans’ Home is a state-of-the-art 400,000 square foot assisted living and skilled nursing facility that will eventually be called home by almost 400 veterans and a staff of 700 who will work there. Designed in every respect to help make life as easy as possible for the veterans who will live there, the facility features more than 500 Sentina® plug-in motion-sensing LED emergency lights.


Sentina, the industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and commercial LED lighting solutions, designed its line of plug-in LED home lighting products for consumers and businesses looking to improve safety and emergency preparedness while cutting energy and construction costs. The Sentina LED-92M, one of the models featured throughout the facility, is actually a four-way emergency light. Fully charged to support motion, darkness, and power outage sensors, the Sentina LED-92M light simply plugs into a wall socket and performs for pennies per day. The light activates only when approached, in darkness, or in a power outage. In all other times, the light remains off. When disconnected from the socket, the light will also perform as an emergency flash light for up to eight hours.

“Our residents deserve the highest level of comfort and care. We wanted to provide them with enhanced safety and emergency lighting for nighttime use and in case of power outages, but we also wanted to avoid construction costs and minimize energy consumption,” said Louis Koff, administrator of the West Los Angeles Veterans’ Home. “To achieve this goal we placed Sentina’s LED lighting products in bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and hallways. One of the things we like most is that residents can place them in their bedrooms wherever is most convenient and useful for them.”

As a result, according to Koff, lights are automatically turned on when residents get up in the middle of the night or walk down a darkened hallway. As soon as the motion sensor detects their presence, the lights turn on. When residents leave the immediate area covered by the motion sensor, the lights turn off. Thus, safety is enhanced and energy is conserved.

“At such a large facility, it is important to contain energy costs wherever possible,” Koff explained. “Thanks to Sentina’s motion and light sensitive LED safety lights, gone are the days of leaving a bathroom or hallway light burning all night long. The majority of residents at the Veterans’ Home are between the ages of 70 and 90, and having nightlight and flashlight functionality available all the time helps to make the facility safer and prevent accidents.”

“Before, some offices and bathrooms would have been pitch dark in a power outage, leaving occupants and staff stranded,” said Koff. “Our decision to install plug-in LED lighting was really a matter of convenience and providing peace of mind to everyone at the home. The price of the LED lights will pay for itself in the long run by eliminating the need to leave standard bulbs burning all night, and because the LED lights last basically forever and never need to be replaced.”

According to Mei Noguchi, President of Sentina, the California Veterans Home is at the forefront of an emerging trend that is only going to grow in importance as the Baby Boom generation ages. “The largest generation in American history will soon be moving in large numbers into a variety of senior living communities. As they do so, enormous new strains will be placed on the owner operators of these facilities. Sentina LED lighting solutions can play a major role in helping owner operators of assisted living communities to achieve the twin goal of enhanced safety at lower energy costs.”

Sentina manufactures and sells a full line of home, office and mobile LED lighting solutions including motion and light sensitive plug-in safety nightlights, timers to automatically control standard house lamps and keychain safety flashlights.

Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Sentina™, a division of Teledex, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative consumer and business LED lighting solutions, household, travel and mobility products that are both energy and cost-efficient. For more than 15 years, the company has proudly met the needs of smart consumers seeking smarter living solutions. To date, more than 20 million consumers have joined the Sentina family of satisfied customers.

Aging in Place Becomes More Practical For More Seniors With Low Cost Motion Sensitive LED Lighting

Aging in place is rapidly becoming one of the most important long-term social issues of our time — one that is not likely to disappear any time soon. The oldest members of the Baby Boom generation, the single largest in American history, are now well into their mid 60s. And, just as they have revolutionized every part of American life at every step in their journey through life, this generation is certain to make the notion of ‘aging in place’ a practical reality.

“The reality is that today’s aging Baby Boomer has no intention of slowing down and every intention to stay in their home for as long as they possibly can,” said Mei Noguchi, President of Sentina®, the industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, affordably priced motion sensitive LED lighting solutions. “This reality is certain to stimulate the development of any number of consumer products that will help them to achieve this objective.”

Chief among these products, according to Noguchi, is a new generation of high quality, affordably priced, motion sensitive LED household lighting solutions that are easy to buy, easy to install, and easy on the wallet because they conserve energy consumption. “Previous generations of aging Americans simply had to leave lights on all night in order to minimize accidents that can often occur when seniors wake up during the night, find themselves disoriented while reaching for a light switch, and fall as a result.

“Today’s Baby Boom generation no longer has to live this way. They can simply plug in any number of motion sensitive LED lights around their house, in their hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms. The lights remain off when no one is around and they automatically turn on when someone moves around them. It’s the ideal solution that improves household safety, keeps seniors in their homes, and reduces energy costs and, because LED lights are so long lasting, Boomers hardly ever need to worry about changing bulbs!” Noguchi estimates that the average consumer can completely equip their house or apartment with motion sensitive LED lighting solutions for under $150!

Take, for example, the Sentina PM-316B ZenLight, that is available for $40.00. It combines the best of ancient Japanese lighting methods with the latest in LED lighting technology and motion sensor technology. The built-in authentic Japanese Shoji Paper takes the energy-saving LED lights and gives it a soothing and peaceful glow. The built-in motion sensor provides light only when needed, turning on automatically when the consumer enters the room and shutting off when the consumer leaves the room. The sensor can be adjusted to shut off after 1, 5 or 10 minutes.

The Sentina LED-92M four-way emergency light is just that: four lights in one unit for a retail price of $30.00. Fully charged to support motion, darkness, and power outage sensors, the Sentina LED-92M light simply plugs into a wall socket and performs for pennies per day. The light activates only when approached, in darkness, or in a power outage. In all other times, the light remains off. When disconnected from the socket, the light will also perform as an emergency flash light for up to eight hours.

A complete line-up of LED lighting solutions that are ideal for aging in place Baby Boomers are available at http://www.sentinasmart.com/light/.

Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Sentina™, a division of Teledex, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovatively designed, affordably priced consumer and business LED lighting solutions, household, travel, and mobility products that ae both energy and cost efficient. For more than 15 years, the company has proudly met the needs of smart consumers seeking smarter living solutions. To date, more than 20-million consumers have joined the Sentina family of satisfied customers.

Sunfire® Debuts Its Smallest, Most Powerful Subwoofer

Sunfire®, a specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of luxury home theater products for the worldwide custom specialist and retail markets, today debuted its Atmos™ subwoofer, the smallest, most powerful subwoofer in its class.

The Atmos features a custom designed 6.5” woofer paired with a unique new asymmetrical cardiod surround, allowing over 1.5” of excursion. Resembling the variable thickness of the human heart, the surround provides superior control of the 6.5” driver, reducing distortion and increasing fidelity and reliability. The Atmos outperforms many 10” and 12” models.

Quietly containing the monstrous, cool running 1400W amplifier using Sunfire’s exclusive Tracking Downconverter technology required space-age engineering, which is why Sunfire used FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to design the Atmos, including the aluminum cabinet and the drivers as well as redesigning the Tracking Downconverter amplifier. This patient attention to detail gave the Atmos unequalled fidelity and high output, all out of an impossibly small aluminum extruded cabinet.

“The Atmos sets a new bar for small, powerful, accurate subwoofers. It is relevant for today’s consumers who demand high performance and reliability out of a small cabinet,” said Sunfire General Manager Mark Weisenberg. “Our engineers started from scratch and developed a incredibly tough aluminum enclosure that accommodates the tremendous air pressure generated by the woofer.”

Sunfire knows that every room is different, which is why the Atmos features an auto-room equalizer circuit that automatically adjusts the sub’s response to best suit the room acoustics for maximum bass quality and performance.

Thanks to the Atmos’ newly designed foot, which was inspired by the tire industry, the subwoofer will remain in place even at mind-numbing volumes. And measuring just 8.5” x 8.9” x 10.1”, the Atmos fits anywhere. For those thrill-seekers requiring even more bass, two Atmos subwoofers can be paired with just one wire through its conveniently located master/slave connectors.

The Atmos will begin shipping in Q2 2011 on a limited availability basis.