BestChoiceHomeHealthCare.org

BEST CHOICE HOME HEALTH CAREA Member of the Centerlight Health System

Caring for New Yorkers for over 90 years, employing 4500 people, speaking 75 languages, serving 15,000 people every day

Best Choice is the licensed agency for the health system, training and employing Home Health Aides.

We currently have an active census of 950 patients.

UJA Federation Caring Commission

contracts with PHI to design HAWI

Best Choice participates in HAWI

To improve the quality and communication skills of the aides we train

To differentiate Best Choice/Centerlight in our Marketplace

For the opportunity to work with PHI For the funding opportunity with the UJA Federation

HAWI:UJA Federation’s Home Health Aide Training Initiative

The purpose of this initiative is to pilot a new curriculum and teaching method that will be the basis for an “accredited” training standard that will increase the quality of care provided to our frail elderly and disabled populations.The program begins from recruitment with a standardized intake and structured selection process. This process utilizes some basic assessments to document literacy, interest and suitability for work as an aide and small group work stressing team building skills.

HAWI

Training Components:

Small Group Learning Activities Paraphrasing, Open Ended Questioning Pulling Back from Emotional Responses in Stressful

Situations “Real Life” Case Studies and Role Playing to Model

Behavior

Additional Staff

The grant paid for additional staff:Training Assistants – two former Home Health Aides to assist RN Instructor

Case Manager/Recruiter – recruit and support students

Data Liaison – collect information for Home care Policy and Research Staff

Peer Mentors – experienced Home Health Aides

Grant FundingGrant funding includes:

Metro Cards –transportation to and from the training class

Stipends for Peer Mentors

Stipends for On-the-Job Training (three hours in-service within the first 90 days of employment)

Stipends for Specialty Aide Training – resources for 16 hours of training in Dementia and Cultural Competency for a select group of workers

Comparison of HAWI/DOHRecruitment

HAWI DOHCandidates attend Information sessions Open House for anyone who calls or sees ad

Presentations by clinical, HR and Operations staff Info session consists of Small group activity,

presentations by Individuals to observe communication skills.

At open house recruits fill out applications, show documents, have 15 minute interview, take literacy test

and get forms for physical (self -pay)Candidates must call for appointment If they wish to

continue the process

Interview: 30 minutes with team Assessment completed, team decides who will move

on

Candidate returns requisite forms, sent for drug test and fingerprints. Those cleared are scheduled for

training classThird session in office:

Barriers Assessment, reading test Case management services

Team meets to decide who will be invited for class Candidates sent for physical and drug test (Best

Choice pays) fingerprints. Those cleared are scheduled for class

three step interview process one step process

Comparison of HAWI/DOH

Training Program

HAWI DOH4 weeks 3 weeks

Adult learner based curriculum Content regimented, follows bookrole playing , group learning

hands on, interactive case management services offered during training no assistance

Graduation Rates -past 5 years

Peer Mentor Program

The Peer mentor program was designed to assist the new Home Health Aides during the transitional period from the classroom to the field with the real life situations that sometimes challenge their ability to balance personal and work life.

Peer Mentor Program

The Peer Mentor provides support to the new aides through early intervention and advising in the first 90 days of employment. The mentor provides an objective approach to any situations which may arise.

The mentors are helpful in fostering relationships with the new Home Health Aides while promoting a level of comfort, acting as liaisons between the coordinating staff and the home health aides and providing information that can aid in the identification of future successes or failures.

Course Completion Survey Summary Overall Rating of Class:

Excellent 56.25% Very Good 37.50% Good 6.25% Not So Good 0.00% Bad 0.00%

Course Completion Survey Summary

How Well Did Class Prepare You?

Extremely Well 46.88%Well 53.13%

Somewhat Well 0.00%

Did Not Prepare Me 0.00%

Course Completion Survey Summary

Role Playing and Pretending to Be a Client Helped Me to Understand Clients Better

Totally Agree 65.63%Agree 25.00%No Opinion 3.13%Disagree 3.13%

Course Completion Survey Summary

I liked the Games and Exercises

Totally Agree 81.25% Agree 15.63% No Opinion 0.00% Disagree 3.13%

Course Completion Survey Summary

Working In Small Groups Was Helpful

Totally Agree 75.00% Agree 15.63% No Opinion 3.13% Disagree 0.00%

Course Completion Survey Summary

I Would Recommend this Course To A Friend or Relative

Totally Agree 84.78% Agree 11.11% No Opinion 2.22% Disagree 0.00%

Graduates say:

“the class was thoroughly taught – it was not just reading from a book. They treated us as adults”

‘the learning experience was great”

“the class was informative but more so it helped me to learn to accept people from different cultures.”

Graduates’ Comments

“when I started out looking for a training program, I didn’t just want to get a certificate I wanted to learn something I could take away with me. I most definitely got it at Best Choice. I believe that every agency should have this program.

“when I heard of the peer mentor program I was skeptical but it is great that I am able to talk to someone who will just listen and help me think things through…I get all the support I need.”

Graduates’ Comments

Staff’s Comments “Hands down, do not think of changing this

methodology. I love the level of interaction.”

“It is very involved and engaging.”

“It is a holistic approach which better prepares the students for taking care of the patients.”

“The concept of this program is great.”

Staff’s Comments “ A very thorough recruitment process that facilitates

the screening for quality candidates.”

“The focus on communication and intrapersonal skills develops a more competent Home Health Aide.”