experience of meaningful
work and personal success, the home care aides improve the economic status
of their families and are empowered from within to attain self-determined
goals.Who We Are
Healing
Connections Associates, Inc. (HCA) is a community based home care aide
agency that has a ten-year history of providing a unique and effective
response to the complementary needs of low-income women and elderly persons
with chronic disabilities living in our city. HCA is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees and supported
by a growing number of donors and volunteers. The leadership and membership of HCA exhibit a strong
commitment to both direct service and systemic change.
Since 1993, HCA has provided
first-time employment with benefits, job mentoring and on going training
for fifty four (54) disadvantaged women.
As a result, sixty percent (60%) have maintained employment for a minimum
of one year and decreased or eliminated their dependence on public
assistance. Access to supportive
services such as counseling, child care, housing, social services and
financial assistance is a primary factor in attaining such a remarkable job
retention rate compared to the national level of less than 30% among this
high risk population. Leadership
development opportunities are offered to all employees and involvement in
the decision making process of the agency occurs through aide participation
in the Senior Council. GED study
and basic computer skills training during work time and access to financial
assistance prepare interested staff for higher educational pursuits. Through this
experience of meaningful
work and personal success, the home care aides improve the economic status
of their families and are empowered from within to attain self-determined
goals.
The certified home care aides and RN staff of HCA currently care for 160 to 170 underserved seniors with chronic physical or mental disabilities requiring long-term care amounting to over 150,000 hours of direct care since 1993. Many of these individuals live alone, in serious neglect, and suffer from a wide array of health and safety problems that often include isolation and depression. Ongoing health and safety assessments by a registered nurse provide preventative care and access to community resources. Regular visits from a home care aide provide assistance with personal hygiene, meal preparation, homemaking, non-medical procedures and companionship. These services enable seniors to remain living independently within the community with restored dignity and a greater sense of well being, in addition to saving $40,000 per person annually in Medicaid tax dollars for more costly nursing home care.
Since its founding, HCA has used a collaborative model to achieve its goal and avoid duplication of services. Partnerships with other agencies and businesses have created a strong network of support for the agency and its program participants. As a result, Healing Connections Associates has effectively met the needs of both low-income women and elderly and disabled persons and improved the quality of life for both over the past ten years. It is a win-win for our entire community.