The Chautauqua County Home Care Association honored many employees during an event held at Lutheran Social Services. Submitted photo

In honor of National Home Care Month, the Chautauqua County Home Care Association honored many employees who serve Chautauqua County from a variety of local home care agencies. The event was held at Lutheran Social Services, who also catered the delicious dinner.

The Chautauqua County Home Care Association is a coalition of many of the county’s local home care agencies: Accredited Care, Aftercare, Care Givers, Department of Social Services CASA, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Crane Home Care Inc., Hospice & Palliative Care, Hultquist Place, New Vision Services, Office for the Aging, PSA Healthcare, TLC Health Network, Trusted Nurse Staffing, Venture Forthe, WCA Home and Willcare.

Home care is an effective and economical way to meet the health needs of the community, while allowing community members to remain in their own home. The annual dinner allows the CCHCA to recognize their appreciation for employees’ service to their agency, families and our community as a whole. The association members share ideas and network with one another to make improvements within our community. They offer two scholarships annually to potential nursing school graduates.

County Executive, Vince Horrigan, was the keynote speaker at this event. Melissa Peck, President of the Association, had the opportunity to present the annual service award to Maria Carrubba, Executive Director of Southwestern Independent Living. SWIL offers a multitude of services to community members with disabilities.

The “2017 Employee of the Year” is honored by many agencies. The employee is honored at the Annual Dinner with a certificate recognizing their outstanding service. The following individuals were recognized at the Annual Dinner: Kevin Smith, PCA/HCSS Aftercare; Jennifer Diers, LPN Aftercare; Jenna Spoon, HHA Caregivers; Deborah Majka, PCA Chautauqua Opportunities Inc.; Renee’ Mouton, VP Finance & Admin. Services Hospice; Jo Ann Lewis, AR/AP Clerk Hospice; Mary Jo Apthorpe, HHA Hultquist Place; Jessica Bertram, Activity Assistant Hultquist Place; Madeline Lynch, PCA Tanglewood Manor; Shannon Keating, LPN TLC Health Network; Shelia Becker, Program/Finance Clerk TLC Health Network; Eric Eckberg, PCA New Visions; Kelly Beers, Service Coordinator Venture Forthe; and Holly Booth, PCA Venture Forthe.

If you need information about home care, call NY Connects. NY Connects can give you information about local agencies, programs and services. NY Connects can discuss your needs and provide information and assistance with home care agency companies, as well as referrals for programs that may provide home care.

You can reach NY Connects by phone: Jamestown areas: 661-7582; Dunkirk/Fredonia areas: 363-4582; and Mayville areas/mid-county: 753-4582, Fax 753-4844, or email: ccnyc@co.chautauqua.ny.us. You can also come and see us at 7 North Erie St., Mayville. Connects is brought to you in cooperation from the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services.