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About Caring Home Health Inc.
Caring Home Help History
In 1988 Caring Home Help began as an answer to a need by Portage
County residents for an extended hour caregivers program. At that
time, both Kent Visiting Nurse Association and Ravenna Visiting
Nurse Association were constantly receiving requests for private
duty home aid services. As a result KVNA’s 1987 program Evaluation
Committee recommended these services explored.
Information on private duty programs was collected from various
resources such as the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Council of
Home Health agencies, the National Association and other like
agencies in the state. The Director of RVNA was contacted regarding
initiation of the proposed program. A concern was addressed
regarding the best way to initiate the program by the KVNA Medical
Advisory Committee and the agencies nursing committee. As a result,
when all of the facts were presented to the KNVA Board of Trustees,
it was agreed a separate agency be established so that no
interference exist with KNVA’s Medicare certified program. Among the
recommendations were:
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An independent
agency be formed to provide a private duty program of caregivers
on a nonprofit basis.
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Caring Home Help
be established to provide a high quality of home assistance for
Portage County residents
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Since no state
certification is available, the Board of Trustees will act in
the role of providing an annual program evaluation of the
program to ensure quality and need.
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A non-duplicative
agency would enhance services given by the Portage County VNAS
and permit cross referrals.
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A non-competitive
agency offering extended hours was not previously available for
services by a Portage County only based agency.
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A $7,000 loan by
KVNA was granted through the Colebrook fund as recommended by
the donor Jack Colebrook at the going rate of interest.
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Rental space in
the KNVA building be granted to allow for smooth cross
referrals. The rental cost to be at the current per square
footage office rates- Consultant Chas. Young at Meeker Realty.
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The leased
property to be filed at the Portage County Court House.
In 1988 a steering committee was named and on April 18, 1988 the
first meeting of Caring Home Help was held. Since C.H.H. had limited
financial resources, the ability of giving charitable care under a
501c3 tax deferred status was unknown initially and deferred. The
first board of trustees was Jack Colebrook, Colleen McGraw RN, Nancy
Pekar MSW, Goldie Sites (from KVNA RN board), Dottie Simpson RN,
Marjorie Westfall RN (from RVNA board) and Dan Harkins, attorney, ex
officio.
In May 1988, the articles of Incorporation and the code of
regulations were filed with the State of Ohio by D. Harkins. On
November 1, 1988, the first client was accepted for care.
Within one year the $7,000 loan with interest was repaid to KVNA and
the services given grew. In 1993, the agency was able to file for
their 501c3 tax deferred status.
Many favorable comments received from clients’ families attested to
the quality of care offered to Portage County residents. The board
of trustees today remains committed to ensure a high quality of care
continues.
The unique facets of Caring Home Help includes:
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One of the few
non profit, local agencies in the State of Ohio delivering home
aid services.
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Answers to a
Board of Trustees which includes a mixture of community and
professional members.
The current
members of the Board is compromised of:
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Mary Alice Bolotin-
retired RN;
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Darlene Kousaie- retired sec;
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John Ferlito- Kent
City Health Commissioner;
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Jeff Myers- attorney;
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Goldie Sites-
retired teacher;
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Dottie Simpson- retired RN;
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Colleen McGraw-
retired RN;
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Mildred Kieselbach- retired SW;
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Davina Gosnell- Dean
of Hiram School of Nursing;
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Dan Harkins- attorney pro bono.
Personnel Review
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An annual program
evaluation consists of review of financial status including
audit of records for non-profit status.
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A review of
patients’ records through a random selection (20-30%) to
determine quality of care given.
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A review to
determine if continuing education and health requirements are
met with appropriate background checks completed
Contact Information
Caring Home Help Inc.
Carol Wright,
Director
138 East Main Street
Kent, Ohio 44240
330-673-0300
director@caringhomehelp.org
Last modified:
January 15, 2008
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