Caregiver, Inc. Acquires Amicus, Inc. of Arlington, Texas

(February 18, 2019 | Fort Worth, Tex) … Caregiver, Inc. announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of the assets of Amicus, Inc., which included five small Intermediate Care Facilities across the Arlington area within the DFW Metroplex.  Caregiver will also assume operations of the Amicus day program located in South Arlington.  
 
Amicus was formed in 1992 by the owners Mary and Bill Enox to provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over the past 26 years, Mary and Bill have provided personalized, individual-focused services for the 30 people served in the community within these intermediate care homes. They have worked hard in providing high-quality services, as well as developing and retaining employees over the past couple of decades.
 
The acquisition of Amicus expands Caregiver’s presence and strengthens its market-leading position throughout the DFW Metroplex.  Since its inception in 2015, Caregiver has built a reputation of acquiring companies with great reputations and outstanding leadership teams, and Amicus is a natural addition that supports Caregiver’s mission.  Caregiver welcomes the individuals, families, and employees of Amicus to the Caregiver family; it will operate under the Daybreak Community Services brand.
 
Caregiver provides services and supports to people with disabilities in Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio through Medicaid waiver programs.  To learn more about Caregiver visit our website at www.cg-idd.com.  For additional information or interest in discussing business opportunities, please contact Gary Nettis, Vice President of Growth & Development, via email at gary.nettis@cg-idd.com or by phone 440-724-3466.
 
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At Caregiver, Inc., Telepsychiatry Helps Texans with Dual IDD/Mental Health Diagnoses

Caregiver’s New Telepsychiatry Program Delivering Improved Continuity, Quality of Care for Individuals with Dual IDD/Mental Health Diagnoses

In 2017, Randi Morgan, RN BSN and Senior Nurse Consultant at Caregiver, Inc. (pictured), knew there had to be a far better way to help the people they serve who had dual-diagnoses of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental disorders.

Among the 2800 individuals cared for by Caregiver teams throughout Texas, over 1300 individuals were scheduled for as many as 9000 off-site psychiatric appointments annually, sessions that required extensive scheduling, logistical, transportation and experiential challenges. Local Caregiver staff arranged appointments with psychiatrists, when available, that almost always took place across town or in another city entirely, then organized transportation for the individual, the care team and guardian. Stress levels and expenses commonly grew. Mental health outcomes often declined. Morgan’s research identified a way to deliver excellent psychiatric care, simplify coordination for visits, dispense with extensive travel time, avoid crowded waiting rooms and reduce stress for everyone involved: telemedicine.

“The solution is telepsychiatry,” Morgan said.

Morgan, with over two decades of experience working with individuals with IDD, worked previously with Daybreak (a Caregiver affiliate company), EduCare Community Living, Tarrant Dialysis and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital.

She is a member of Developmental Disability Nurses Association and Providers Alliance of Community Services in Texas. She is an alumna of Texas Christian University.

Telepsychiatry, while still relatively new, utilizes HIPAA-compliant televised videoconferences to deliver psychiatric services. In the last decade, televised healthcare (telehealth) has grown in popularity and acceptance. The platform is rapidly becoming a standard of care, particularly when reaching patients in rural areas.

Morgan recognized that telepsychiatry could transform services for Caregiver’s dual diagnosis individuals. The telemedicine psychiatric service delivery model could be a safer, more productive psychiatric appointment protocol for their individuals.

To adopt the protocol in Texas, Morgan first had to identify an ideal psychiatric group to serve their individuals via telemedicine. By 2017, the company had selected Frank Floca, MD, PLLC, and his Austin-Texas based Psychiatric Associates of Central Texas (PACT). Dr. Floca and his team of licensed physician’s assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) with psychiatric specialization treat a variety of mental health conditions, including a sizeable cohort of IDD patients.

Morgan enlisted the support of Caregiver CEO Mark Lashley, who committed to fund a significant investment in technology, including the purchase and installation of and training for staff in to use required secure, encrypted webcams, video equipment and connections that adhere to HIPAA privacy rules. Via a secured link through email to Dr. Floca’s office, Caregiver’s new system was soon installed, tested and underway at 15 Caregiver facilities.

The program would also require a systematic, organized migration process. Morgan’s plan was to take a full year to introduce and positively engage individuals with dual-diagnosis to switch to telepsychiatry. The methodical process would help ensure a smooth transition. Understandably, there was some initial skepticism and reluctance.

“Change can be difficult,” said Morgan, “but this transition has been broadly welcomed. Outcomes are showing dramatic improvements.”

Individuals can remain in their Caregiver day habilitation facility or travel just a few minutes to their nearby Caregiver nurse’s office.

Before each appointment, PACT’s Nurse Practitioner receives and reviews up-to-date information like primary care physician orders, neurologist reports, and recent lab results. During each private, secure telepsychiatry appointment, the Nurse Practitioner visits with and monitors the individual, and the behavioral supports team, family member or guardian, and onsite nurse are on hand to provide important patient history and data, interacting with the individual and the psychiatric professional to answer questions in real time.

According to Morgan, with telepsychiatry services from PACT’s experienced group of professionals and compliant systems in place, Caregiver maintains the integrity of continuity of care seamlessly and easily.

“Individuals are so much more relaxed and comfortable,” stressed Morgan. “More people on our individual’s team and from their family can readily attend the appointments.”

Kathy Griffith, pictured, Caregiver’s South Regional Director based in San Antonio, has watched their individuals and families grow to trust Caregiver’s recommended new model and give the new service delivery a try.

“We simply asked our individuals to try it and give us feedback,” said Griffith. “Interestingly, most were quick to appreciate the benefits, with everyone so much more relaxed and comfortable. Dr. Floca’s team has been exceptionally professional and responsive.”

Raul Rodriguez, Sr., the father of one of Caregiver’s individuals in Griffith’s area commented: “Now, my son’s entire team can be present, and we can all share our input and observances so that the provider can get the full picture of my son’s current state. We never feel rushed, and we always feel seen and heard. Telepsychiatry has been a wonderful change for our family.”

According to Griffith, the PACT team provides Caregiver individuals with genuine, quality interaction with their Nurse Practitioners.

“It’s remarkable to watch the therapeutic alliance flourish between patient and provider, even though it’s over a screen,” said Malcolm Duncan, RN, MSN, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and PACT Business Manager. “Patients are stabilizing. It is exciting to be on the forefront of what is clearly the future of medicine.”

Duncan emphasizes that the ability to easily access quality, consistent care is a huge win.

“Keep in mind that many of the individuals we treat struggle to get to a traditional office,” he emphasized. “Telepsychiatry allows us to meet the patients where they are, in a positive, relaxed setting.”

Residual benefits abound. Prescription medications are ordered by electronic transmission to the pharmacy and delivered to the Caregiver site—no transport or waiting in lines. Morgan reports improved outcomes as individuals’ care has stabilized, and hospitalizations have been reduced over time due to better medication management. Critical incident reporting has decreased. Caregiver’s staff of frontline Direct Service Providers and their Behavioral Supports team colleagues report that work has become less stressful with the efficiency of the telemedicine model.

“Continuity and thoroughness of and access to care obviously helps us get ahead of any potential crisis,” Morgan said.

For Caregiver, telepsychiatry is helping thousands of individuals in Texas with the greatest needs enjoy improved quality of life and is reducing stress among the dedicated staff caring for them. Caregiver hopes to soon expand the program into their other service areas in Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee.

ABOUT PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL TEXAS (PACT)

Founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas, Psychiatric Associates of Central Texas (PACT) is a Texas-based and led organization that specializes in adult psychiatric care. PACT’s comprehensive approach addresses physical, emotional, and social needs. Extensively trained in the management of patients with mental health illnesses, the PACT team includes physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician’s assistants with years of experience in multidisciplinary collaboration, working closely with primary care and psychotherapy teams to ensure a well-rounded patient-centered treatment plan. Psychiatric Associates of Central Texas is headquartered at 7005 Mira Loma Lane, Suite 102, Austin, Texas 78723. Phone is (512) 795-4344. They are on the web at pactaustin.com.

ABOUT CAREGIVER, INC.

Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and branded affiliate organizations in four states. The affiliates provide intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015 and now includes these affiliates: Unified Care Group, Southern Concepts, River Gardens, Daybreak Community Services Inc., St. Giles Living Centers, DSA of Indiana, HHC of Ohio, and Omni Support Services of Tennessee. All have similar service offerings and strong reputations in their local communities. Caregiver services include supported home living, family protective services, case coordination, nursing services, respite services, day habilitation, psychology services, dental treatment, specialized therapies, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, and supported employment. Caregiver president and CEO is Mark Lashley. Company headquarters are at 4100 International Plaza, Suite 800, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. Phone is (800) 299-5161. They are on the web at cg-idd.com.

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Caregiver, Inc. Launches Innovative In-House Behavioral Supports Program for IDD clients

Caregiver, Inc. Launches Innovative In-House Behavioral Supports Program for IDD clients

Updated: Feb 6

Incorporating internal delivery of Behavioral Supports services yields increased quality of compassionate, consistent care

– January 22, 2019 –

When Mark Lashley became CEO of Caregiver, Inc. in 2017, he prioritized innovation in all aspects of Caregiver’s services and processes, gathering his leadership team to ask: “What if Caregiver could improve outcomes and quality of life for our intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) clients and heal an historically-fragmented service delivery approach?”

One answer took shape as Caregiver’s new internal Behavioral Supports Program. Behavioral Supports are ancillary services like staff training, behavior plans, and monitoring that assure individual clients get the customized help they need to lead their best lives. The company is confident that their new program will counteract fragmented, inconsistent outside contractor services by providing Caregiver-staff-delivered personalized treatment plans designed and managed by internal teams for their own IDD clients.

Caregiver’s new model is a dramatic departure from the IDD industry norm. Heretofore, IDD behavioral supports services in Texas usually followed the industry-wide model of contracting with outside companies to design, deliver, and manage client behavioral support plans. While often efficient, Caregiver realized that not all contractors are created equally. A combination of disparate companies with rotating staff relinquished consistency and submitted Caregiver clients to less-than-optimum experiences.

Seeking an innovative solution, the executive team – led by Alex Sturges, VP of Operations Strategy – set out to determine the best path forward to bring Behavioral Supports in-house and shatter the IDD industry’s systemic mold of contracted care with its reputation of varying uniformity and impersonal tone.

As well, the team believed that in-house delivery of behavioral services could have a positive effect companywide, anticipating better client outcomes and increased employee engagement and job satisfaction within a streamlined, accountable, effective service delivery team structure.

Further, with an internal Behavioral Supports team, the company could operate more cost-effectively AND deliver a higher quality of care.

“We decided that the industry norm was no longer good enough for our clients,” said Sturges. “We’re in this business to help people, and if there’s an opportunity to do better, then we must explore the options to raise the standard of care.”

Sturges would orchestrate the effort.

INCREASING POSITIVE IMPACT

Alex Sturges, VP of Operations Strategy

Joining Caregiver in early 2017 after departing the finance world in search of a company with mission and heart, Alex Sturges quickly found a home for his expertise and desire to help others. When he and Lashley met to determine what the company did well and where they could improve, they discovered that Behavioral Supports was one area where they could increase the positive impact in the lives of their clients through improved consistency and quality of care.

“Caregiver’s Behavioral Supports Program is vital to those who receive program services,” Sturges continued. “We know that the investment of time and resources will significantly affect the lives of our clients in very positive ways.” Caregiver was ready to go, but they needed the right person to lead the day-to-day implementation and management. Sturges tapped Caregiver team member Angie Huber, PhD, as the company’s new Director of Behavioral Services.

SHOWING HOW MUCH WE CARE

Angie Huber, PhD, Director of Behavioral Services

Dr. Huber, a resident of Beaumont, Texas, has been a Caregiver employee for eight years; she previously was Program Director of Intermediate Care Facilities in Lufkin/Beaumont. After earning her PhD in clinical psychology from Walden University, she has been providing behavioral intervention and counseling services for individuals for well over a decade, with significant experience working with IDD individuals. She had an expert background, management experience and a passion for the IDD population; Caregiver executives knew she was ideally positioned to take the company to the next level and lead the behavioral team into the future.

“Our clients and their families and guardians will even more directly experience how much we care about them,” said Dr. Huber. “As well, our direct support staff professionals gain immediate better understanding of their individual clients’ histories and goals for the future. We anticipate increased job satisfaction and positivity, so this should also help reduce staff turnover.”

Within Caregiver’s Behavioral Supports Program, each client is assigned a geographically-specific clinician to assess the client’s needs and situation. That clinician prepares a plan of action and designs how that plan will be evaluated. Caregiver Behavioral Supports team members review and assess progress on a continual basis and adjust as necessary as each individual works toward his or her goals. “We’ve had a tremendous response so far,” added Dr. Huber. “Our clients’ guardians are seeing that Caregiver is investing resources where we can truly make an impact, helping to support the best life possible for each individual.”

While the new Behavioral Supports Program services are currently available only in Texas, Caregiver is exploring expanded roll out of this model to all its affiliates and regions in Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio. At present, around 30 percent of Caregiver’s 2,500 Texas-based clients need and are receiving behavioral supports services. According to the company, clients’ previous plans offered an average of four to five hours per year. With Caregiver’s in-house, hands-on delivery model, the team finds that individuals can benefit greatly from the increased attention of up to 20 hours of behavioral support annually. These levels translate to a greater interest by referral sources, guardians and families in what Caregiver offers. The company is now accepting new enrollments for Texas families looking to transfer to this level of care. Guardians may contact the company for more information online at www.cg-idd.com or by calling 800-299-5161.

ABOUT CAREGIVER, INC.

Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and branded affiliate organizations in four states. The affiliates provide intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015 and now includes these affiliates: Unified Care Group, Southern Concepts, River Gardens, Daybreak Community Services Inc., St. Giles Living Centers, DSA of Indiana, HHC of Ohio, and Omni Support Services of Tennessee. All have similar service offerings and strong reputations in their local communities. Caregiver services include supported home living, family protective services, case coordination, nursing services, respite services, day habilitation, psychology services, dental treatment, specialized therapies, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, and supported employment. Caregiver president and CEO is Mark Lashley. Company headquarters are at 4100 International Plaza, Suite 800, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.

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Beth Landry Joins Caregiver, Inc., as President of Operations in Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio

(Fort Worth, TX…) Mark Lashley, President and CEO of Caregiver, Inc., a leading provider of services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has announced the appointment of Beth Landry as President of Operations for Caregiver’s recently acquired businesses in Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio.
 
“Caregiver, Inc. has grown significantly outside of Texas in 2018,” stated Lashley. “We needed a top executive to lead and integrate our recently and newly acquired businesses, especially as we anticipate acceleration of acquisitions throughout 2019.”
Beth Landry (pictured) was most recently a Senior Vice President at Boston-based Seniorlink, an innovative provider of home and community-based adult programs that utilize technology and services to support caregivers and keep loved ones at home. There, Landry was responsible for over $130 million in revenue and 375 employees operating in seven states. During her tenure, she improved employee retention, catalyzed company growth, increased consumer engagement and service quality and inspired and incorporated numerous technological advances.
 
Landry began her career as a Staff Physical Therapist with NovaCare and quickly progressed to executive and leadership roles. After nine years with NovaCare, she led teams for Gentiva, Aegis Therapies and Harden Healthcare. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.
 
“In Beth we’ve found an exceptional leader,” Lashley added. “We couldn’t be more excited about the leadership and skills that she brings to the organization at this exciting time.”
As Caregiver grows, the company looks forward to expanded business and employment opportunities, according to Gary Nettis, Vice President, Growth & Development. For information, email Gary.Nettis@cg-idd.com or call (440) 724-3466. To learn more about Caregiver, Inc., visit www.cg-idd.com today.
 
About Caregiver
Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and multiple branded affiliate organizations in four states. The company provides a wide range of intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015. Headquarters are at 4100 International Plaza, Suite 800, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
 
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#teamnews

Health care group relocating headquarters in southwest Fort Worth

Health care group relocating headquarters in southwest Fort Worth

https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2019/01/11/caregiver-inc-headquarters-fort-worth.html

By Claire Ballor – Staff Writer, Dallas Business Journal

Jan 11, 2019, 7:22am EST

A health care provider is picking up its headquarters and relocating to a newer building in southwest Fort Worth.

Caregiver, Inc., which specializes in intellectual and developmental disabilities, is moving its main operations into a 22,511 square-foot building at 4800 Overton Plaza, less than a mile from its current location at 4100 International Plaza.

“Culture plays a vital role to our collective success and having the right corporate location is critical to environment,” said Mark Lashley, chief executive officer of Caregiver, Inc, in a written statement. “We are proud to be considered a provider of choice as well as an employer of choice within the intellectual and developmental disability community. To better serve our constituents and employees, we need to position ourselves as forward-thinking and innovative in this challenged business environment.”

The 4-story building the company is moving into is located just north of Interstate 20 and recently underwent capital improvements, according to a release.

Pat McDowell and David Berzina with JLL negotiated the lease on behalf of Caregiver, Inc. Kirk Kelly with Transwestern represented the landlord.

#inthenews #CaregiverInc

Caregiver, Inc. to Expand Management Leadership Program, Focus on Superior Service Delivery

LEAD Program’s First Year Results in Texas Show Marked Uptick in Employee Retention

 

Within two months of her arrival in summer 2017 as Chief Human Resources Officer of the then-2500-employee Caregiver, Inc., Dau Tucker was charged by Caregiver CEO Mark Lashley with investing in a strategic initiative to train company field leaders how to excel in their roles. Dedicated direct support providers (DSPs), who had deep understanding about caring for clients, had often been deservingly promoted to a management role. All too frequently they lacked helpful preparation and training for their new responsibilities. This was certainly true for over 800 Texas-based Caregiver managers. Lashley’s growth strategy depended on company stability and a leadership development program such as LEAD would be the solution. LEAD would make an impact to an industry that has challenges with high turnover. As managed care for IDD services expands and the industry becomes more competitive, Lashley has confidence that his company can blaze a trail to superior service delivery by focusing on his front line – DSPs and their managers.
 
Tucker would lead this charge, and she was ready.
 
Prior to her arrival, Dau Tucker has had over twenty years of healthcare human resource experience, in acute care healthcare systems and multi-group physician practices. Tucker has experience in physician recruitment, designing physician compensation programs, developing physician contract programs and leading medical group acquisitions and mergers as it relates to human resources and physician relations. Formerly the Executive Director of Human Resources at JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas, and Director of Human Resources and Physician Development for Salem Health in Oregon, Tucker also led human resources for Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Massachusetts before serving as a Principal/Senior Human Resource Consultant advising clients like Jordan Hospital (Plymouth, MA), Christ Hospital (Cincinnati, Ohio), and Roger Williams Hospital (Providence, Rhode Island).
 
So, for Caregiver, game on. Tucker’s objectives were to guide and grow business and organizational leaders, inspire engagement and improve professional identity. The goal was to improve employee retention and be on path to Employer of Choice in the IDD industry. As a result of LEAD, turnover at Caregiver was reduced by 30 percent.
 
“Larger organizations like ours have the resources and the teams to lead the learning and organizational development efforts. Knowing that learning and development programs like LEAD are there for employees who want to advance is important.” CEO Mark Lashley
 
 
Inspiring Creativity, Honoring Compliance
Too often, service for the IDD population was primarily focused on state mandates and rules for individuals’ care without focus on developing the people who provide the care. Why not be creative while compliant and develop a program to enhance the skills of our leaders while creating an environment of high engagement. Tucker’s game plan was based on a formula that would invest in building leadership skills in the management team and improving employee development for the long term, influencing their ability to adapt to change, welcome technology and foster loyalty.
 
Dau Tucker (right) implemented her plan with the support of Lashley by first expanding her department by creating an HR Business Partner model. This model provides no office space for the new HR Business Partners with the intent that a virtual office would give them the flexibility to work with the field managers, keeping a finger on the pulse of employee satisfaction, communication, and handling issues – in the moment. The HR Business Partners work virtually, with boots-on-the-ground availability to support the field managers as needed. Tucker knew the process would be a journey, and it would take effort and creativity. She morphed what had been once called simply a training department into the learning and organizational development department. She developed the curriculum and launch ideas. Her capstone program needed a name.
 
She called the program LEAD: Leadership Expedition and Development Program.
 
 
“In Texas, reimbursement rates have not increased in nearly eight years, making it challenging to create a robust compensation program for our staff. Those challenges do not mean we must limit respect for such valuable work, individual achievement, employee satisfaction, and important recognition for accomplishments.” Dau Tucker, CG Chief Human Resources Officer
Launching the Program
The two-day introductory LEAD session was held in April 2018 in Austin, gathering 100 selected managers from Texas and Tennessee. The program consisted of understanding the IDD landscape and the future of the industry, conversational and emotional intelligence, and defining culture.
 
She wanted to provide attendees with opportunities to interact with executives and experience hands-on ways to discuss challenges and solutions. They heard from expert guest speakers such as Elix Cintron, Executive Coach out of Boston, Massachusetts and former Deputy Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services, Gary Jessee. Participants took a short field trip to a downtown Austin high-tech enterprise, Spredfast, to get a feel for a culture where people deal with rapid change daily, face frequent challenges and create a work environment and communication tools to make coming to work enjoyable.
 
The atmosphere at the session was full of enjoyment, laughter, fellowship and fun. Tucker assigned a LEAD Ambassador for each leader to serve as his/her own personal concierge. Participants could rely on their ambassadors to text reminders of event activities, dinner and snack schedules, and help where needed. This experience was to display the importance of service and servant leadership. Attendees played company bingo, matching execs’ unique characteristics to the person, filling in the square though face-to-face discovery conversations. The event would not be complete without dinner at Punch Bowl Social for virtual gaming, bowling, giant jenga matches, and watching Lashley in the karaoke booth surrounded by staff cheering him on.
 
On the last day of the event, Mason Morgan, President of Texas Operations said, “This feels like the last day of summer camp.”
 
Advancing State-Wide, Site-Based Management Teams
But it was so much more than that. The session launched a process that will soon expand company-wide, with an energy that, Tucker believes, has staying power. They’ve taken LEAD mini-sessions into various other Texas regions, with great success. Collectively, satisfaction rate of the program is 100 percent, with staff asking for more. And the program will move into Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio before the end of the first quarter for 2019, with some variations in presentation, perhaps depending more on technology.
 
“In Texas, reimbursement rates have not increased in nearly 8 years, making it challenging to create a robust compensation program for our staff,” she explained. “Those challenges do not mean we must limit respect for such valuable work, individual achievement, employee satisfaction, and important recognition for accomplishments.”
 
Knowing that learning and development programs like LEAD are there for employees who want to advance is important. Having each employee feel valued and appreciated is mandatory. Tucker is setting the stage for an environment in which state-wide, site-based management teams contribute their own best practices and fresh ideas for cost savings and financial stewardship, all to help further refine an evolving company culture that advances employee engagement and, ideally, meets retention goals.
 
“Larger organizations like ours have the resources to do this and the teams to lead the learning and organizational development efforts,” said Lashley.
 
“This goes beyond recruiting and retention,” he emphasized. “The underlying principles of the program form the basis for handling our changing industry environment, adapting to rapidly advancing technology and growth opportunities, and operating successfully within our improving economy. States may be slow to keep up with rate increases. But we must move quickly, efficiently, and creatively to stay at the top of our game.”
 
Dau Tucker has certainly accepted the challenge with much success.
About Caregiver, Inc.
Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and branded affiliate organizations in four states. The affiliates provide intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015 and now includes these affiliates: Unified Care Group, Southern Concepts, River Gardens, Daybreak Community Services Inc., St. Giles Living Centers, DSA of Indiana, HHC of Ohio, and Omni Support Services of Tennessee. All have similar service offerings and strong reputations in their local communities. Caregiver services include supported home living, family protective services, case coordination, nursing services, respite services, day habilitation, psychology services, dental treatment, specialized therapies, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, and supported employment. Caregiver president and CEO is Mark Lashley (left). Company headquarters are at 2800 Overton Plaza, Suite 440, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.
 
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Caregiver, Inc. Looking for Special Olympics Volunteer Coaches for a Dozen New Teams in North Texas

Requirements? Have a big heart and enjoy having a good time!
Caregiver, Inc., a Fort Worth, Texas-based family of companies that provides home living, day habilitation, care coordination and related services for intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) individuals through multiple subsidiaries in four states, is stepping up their Special Olympics game this winter.
“Special Olympics is very important to families and individuals served by Caregiver and our affiliate companies,” said Mark Lashley, president and CEO of Caregiver, with over 3500 employees.
“With our recent expansion, we saw the value of adding a dedicated Special Olympics events coordinator, Brian Estler, to the headquarters team. He will direct a pilot project here in North Texas to bolster our clients’ participation in a full range of Special Olympics team sports.”
A Special Olympics Basketball Team 2017.
The ramp-up will make it possible for hundreds of Caregiver clients to take part in learning and playing a full range of team sports, from bowling and basketball to volleyball, bocce to softball, soccer and track, among others. Then, teams will compete and in statewide Special Olympics games in 2019.
Participants will include individuals served by Caregiver’s North Texas affiliate companies and supported by staff and community volunteers, including a dozen or more coaches for the teams. Initially, Daybreak Community Services Inc. and Southern Concepts, Inc. sites will field teams. Requirements to participate? Have a big heart and enjoy having a good time! That goes for coaches and athletes alike, according to Estler.
“For our North Texas locations, we are looking for about nine additional coaches,” said Estler, who before joining Caregiver was with the Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America, where, as Senior Program Executive, he coordinated events with thousands of volunteers and attendees and managed 17 Cub Scout Day camps. Brian was tasked with recruiting and coordinating volunteers on an ongoing basis in that role as well as when he was with the Daniel Boone Council in North Carolina. Daniel Boone Council was the first Council to have a Special Needs Unit arrive at the 2013 National Jamboree in West Virginia. The unit received special recognition in 2014.
“Special Olympics athletes participate in more sports and at higher levels than ever before,” he stressed, “and such success can be attributed directly to the coaches.”
Volunteer coaches are role models who help build character and instill the sports skills and spirit that develop true athletes, according to the Special Olympics Texas website. More information about coaching is available on the site. As well, interested individuals can call Brian Estler at 954-398-0914 to learn about North Texas coaching options.
“We’re dedicated to helping each player increase his or her self-worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve,” said Estler, who in addition to heading up the efforts, will also coach bowling, basketball and bocce for two teams in Fort Worth.
Joseph, Dominick and James at a recent bowling practice.
Fort Worth is in Caregiver’s North Texas service region, one of four in Texas; the region is fielding athletes through Daybreak and Southern Concepts offices in Benbrook, Desoto, Fort Worth, Granbury, Benbrook and Lancaster. Lancaster Recreation Center, among others, is offering practice space for teams.
Additional North Texas Daybreak and Southern Concepts locations are in Dallas, Carrollton, Mexia, Corsicana, Denton, Temple, and Bryan/College Station. Statistically, Caregiver affiliates serve 800 clients in the North Texas region and 2200 throughout Texas.
Caregiver’s Special Olympics team practices began in late October and will continue through year end 2018. Team events begin in early 2019.
Daybreak’s North Texas Regional Director Debbie Youngblood believes having a SO coordinator has been a godsend. According to Youngblood, since his arrival in August, Brian formed the delegation (necessary for SOTX approval to participate), gathered doctors’ releases from participants, began forming teams, and is organizing logistics around practices as well as recruiting volunteers. Teams often have as many as 20 participants. And Youngblood is confident the teams will fill quickly.
“This provides opportunities for our clients, families, staff, caregivers, other Caregiver employees, and the community at large to be involved in competitions, from intramurals to official games,” Youngblood emphasized. “Our staff and the direct support caregivers are excited.
“Brian has even worked with area colleges and universities to recruit volunteers, often the hardest part of fielding teams for the Special Olympics,” she continued. “Brian is doing a fantastic job.”
Fort Worth Area Director Marnette Simon, who works in the Daybreak Fort Worth Cleburne Road office, agrees. “Our families see this as a positive interaction, a way for community engagement and exposure,” she stated. “To watch clients and family members have the opportunity to be around others and to be involved in a meaningful project is something we all can look forward to.”
Youngblood added: “Of course, it also provides wonderful physical exercise to the limits and capabilities of each of participant!”
But nothing happens without interested volunteers becoming coaches and assisting with practices and competitions.
“Volunteers benefit greatly, developing empathy and understanding,” Youngblood noted. “And they can even to gain valuable community service hours.”
Estler stressed that volunteer coaches are required to go through an education and a coach certification process to learn the skills necessary to help athletes reach their sports potential. Depending on background and experience, different options are available to become certified. Experienced and knowledgeable Special Olympics Texas instructors will provide the resources needed.
“Nathan Elder from University of North Texas Health Science Center will be helping as an Assistant Coach in the Fort Worth area. We want our Special Olympics team coaches to have big hearts and enjoy having a good time,” stated Estler. “In May we’ll hold a Family Special Olympics Fun Day to include all the different teams and sports, coaches, volunteers, and participants. Expect scrimmages, hayrides and a cookout in an inclusive, fun family atmosphere.”
Caregiver is fully committed to supporting the Special Olympics both through financial contributions and in increasing participation, according to Mark Lashley. “SOTX is a wonderful organization, and we are very excited and proud of our support.”
The Champsi brothers at a hockey game recently.
Advocacy extends throughout the organization. Caregiver, Inc. board member Aly Champsi, managing director at DW Healthcare Partners, has been a Special Olympics advocate since he was 17 years old. While a high school student at Thornhill Secondary School in Toronto, Ontario, he recruited over 50 individual volunteers to assist a newly-formed Special Olympics swim team, the York South Stingrays, on which his younger brother Fareed Champsi was an athlete/participant. For many years thereafter, Champsi helped in various capacities, culminating in his joining the board of Special Olympics Ontario in 2018.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity,” Champsi said, “and hope to be able to contribute positively to the growth of the movement in Canada as well as here in Texas through my efforts with Caregiver.”
Caregiver president for Texas operations Mason Morgan highlighted that hiring Estler assures SO participation opportunity and efficiency going forward.
“To maximize and make efforts efficient at each level, Caregiver centralized SO support by creating the role and hiring the professional expertise,” said Morgan. “Brian Estler is enabling even greater focus on Special Olympics.”
Estler’s efforts will provide team participants, volunteers and family members with the administrative and organizational support necessary for everyone in the field to be successful.
There are multiple practices and events that led up to the Special Olympics, so organization, coordination and communications to all involved is critical to making it fun and successful.
If successful after piloting the program in their North Texas region, Caregiver anticipates roll out in their other service areas in Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio. Success will be measured by participant engagement and levels of satisfaction with support provided.
“Certainly, our increased participation will be a boon for Special Olympics Texas, too,” added Debbie Youngblood. “How wonderful to get more and more teams involved – the more the better!”
If interested in more information about Caregiver’s Special Olympics North Texas program or to explore the full range of volunteer opportunities near you, please call 954-398-0914 or email Brian Estler.
 
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS
In 1969, Special Olympics Texas held its first competition. In 2019, the 50th Annual Summer Games will be heading to San Antonio. Special Olympics Texas provides opportunities for more than 58,800 Texas children and adults with intellectual disabilities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. For more, visit http://www.sotx.org.
ABOUT CAREGIVER, INC.
Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and branded affiliate organizations in four states. The affiliates provide intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015 and now includes these affiliates: Unified Care Group, Southern Concepts, River Gardens, Daybreak Community Services Inc., St. Giles Living Centers, DSA of Indiana, HHC of Ohio, and Omni Support Services of Tennessee. All have similar service offerings and strong reputations in their local communities. Caregiver services include supported home living, family protective services, case coordination, nursing services, respite services, day habilitation, psychology services, dental treatment, specialized therapies, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, and supported employment. Caregiver president and CEO is Mark Lashley.
Company headquarters are at 4100 International Plaza, Suite 800, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.
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Caregiver, Inc. Adds Brian Estler as Special Olympics Event Coordinator

For Immediate Release 11/29/2018
Contact: Anna Todd 682-707-2725 anna.todd@cg-idd.com
 
(November 29, 2018 | Fort Worth, Tex) … Mark Lashley, president and CEO of Caregiver, Inc., has hired Brian Estler to coordinate efforts around Special Olympics involvement for Caregiver clients, initially in North Texas. Caregiver, Inc., is a Fort Worth, Texas-based family of companies that provides home living, day habilitation, care coordination and related services for intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) individuals through multiple subsidiaries in four states.

“Special Olympics is very important to families and individuals served by Caregiver and our affiliate companies,” Mr. Lashley stated. “With our recent expansion, we saw the value of adding a dedicated Special Olympics events coordinator.”
Before joining Caregiver, Mr. Estler was Senior Program Executive with the Fort Worth-based Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America. Previously, as program director for the Daniel Boone Council in North Carolina, he helped organize attendance for the first U.S. special needs unit at the 2013 National Jamboree in West Virginia. He holds a BBA in marketing from the University of Ohio.
“Special Olympics athletes participate in more sports and at higher levels than ever before,” Mr. Estler stressed, “We’re dedicated to helping each player increase his or her self-worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve.”
 
To become a Caregiver volunteer SO coach or to learn more, call 954-398-0914, email Brian.Estler@cg-idd.com or visit the Special Olympics Texas website. Caregiver has four Texas regions serving over 2200 clients. If the pilot program in the North Texas region is successful, Caregiver will expand to its other service areas.
 
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS
In 1969, Special Olympics Texas held its first competition. Today, the organization provides opportunities for more than 58,800 Texas children and adults with intellectual disabilities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. For more, visit http://www.sotx.org.
ABOUT CAREGIVER INC.
Caregiver, Inc., is a privately-held company with over 3500 employees within the headquarters support group and multiple branded affiliate organizations in four states. The company provides a wide range of intermediate, home and community care services to nearly 2800 individuals who qualify as developmentally or intellectually disabled or are impacted by related conditions. Caregiver, Inc. was formed in 2015. Headquarters are at 4800 Overton Plaza, Suite 440, Fort Worth, TX 76109. For more, call 800-299-5161 or visit CG-IDD.COM.

Caregiver Closes on First Acquisition in Ohio

(October 29, 2018 | Fort Worth, Tex) … Caregiver announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of the assets of the IDD business of Home Health Connection (HHC) of Ohio. HHC is a leading provider of residential, adult day and non-medical transport services to approximately 150 people in the Columbus area and several surrounding counties.  
HHC was formed in 1992 by owners Shawn and Shirine Mafi to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Over the past 26 years the Mafis’ have expanded their services in IDD as well as growing a home health business that they will continue to operate separately from Caregiver. They have worked hard in developing HHC’s reputation for providing high quality people-centered services and have grown the business substantially.
 
The acquisition of HHC expands Caregiver into the Ohio market for the first time and establishes a platform business from which to grow within a key state.  Since its inception in 2015, Caregiver has built a reputation of acquiring companies with great reputations and outstanding leadership teams, and HHC fits right into that mold.  
Caregiver welcomes the HHC leadership team and approximately 340 employees to the Caregiver family, including Director Victoria Sekou-Mamadou, Senior Program Coordinator Mark Merriman, CFO Jean Jakovlic, and Billing Manager Stephanie Gordon.
 
 
Caregiver provides services and supports to people with disabilities in Texas, Tennessee and Indiana through Medicaid waiver programs. We own several brands including Daybreak Community Services, DSA of Indiana, Unified Care Group, River Gardens, and Omni Support Services. For additional information or interest in discussing business opportunities please contact Gary Nettis, Vice President, Growth & Development, via email at Gary.Nettis@cg-idd.com or call him on his mobile phone at (440) 724-3466. You can also learn more about the company by visiting our website at www.cg-idd.com.