In recent years the home health industry has been challenged with workforce shortages and many organizations, including Selfhelp, have felt an increasing pinch. Recruitment and retention of home health aides has become a focal point of for state and local government agencies, unions, and home health agencies. In response, Selfhelp has undertaken a plan that addresses shortages long term and holds great promise as a model for other home care agencies.

With funding from the Weinberg Foundation and in collaboration with STRIVE (Support and Training Result in Valuable Employees, a Harlem based nonprofit organization created to help those who face significant barriers to employment achieve independence through work), this April saw the commencement of Selfhelp’s remarkable new workforce initiative. The program is designed to encourage workers to enter and advance through a home health career through mentorship, readiness training, and career development strategies. Shannon Simpson, RN, Manager of Training, overees the program’s day-to-day operation, and recently reported on it to the Home Care Committee, receiving very favorable responses because of its focus on career training.

Kim Hone, RN, Training Coordinator, applauds the effectiveness of a training component modeled on STRIVE’s Boot Camp. “The class really prepares the new trainees for a demanding job that requires a personal sense of responsibility and a high level of interpersonal skills. It’s intensive, soft-skills training.” In April, Selfhelp hired its first Mentor, Quintia McMillan, to guide new Aides through their first year, an often difficult and lonely transitional experience.

In April, Yurella Lopez, was hired as one of the the first Training Associates to assist in the classroom. She showed such promise that in June she was promoted to Mentor. The career development components are still works in progress but already Selfhelp has seen a positive response from the trainees, according to Kenneth Korsu, Director of Human Resources, “this last month, at the end of training, our new recruits threw us a party!”

Yurella’s promotion has motivated her towards becoming a nurse. Mentor and Masters Degree student Quintia McMillan, feels her work will support her dream of becoming a psychologist. She has been able to help many mentees surmount personal problems, including assisting an Aide whose home burned down, shortly after beginning the program. Both Quintia and Yurella are compiling a huge book of various social, educational and health-related resources for the Aides they assist.

AVP, Tami Seidler, RN, who directs the Guthery Training Institute, believes this new program will give Selfhelp a competitive edge as a home care provider. We’re sure it will and wish it continued success!