On August 20, 2024, Jess DeRing, Director of Operations for MissionCare Health, presented “Creating Specialized Long-Term Care Facility for Justice-Involved & Difficult to Place Individuals at the 2024 Home and Community-Based Services Conference in Baltimore, MD. Jess’ presentation included details and background on MissionCare Health including the origins of 60 West, MissionCare at Holyoke and the upcoming  MissionCare at Bennington in Vermont.  

“My advice to others going into the field is get to know your employees well. Treat them with respect and kindness. Building a strong team will benefit your patients, and the culture of the building.”

January 22-28 is National Activities Professional Week with a theme of “Innovate, Inspire, Involve”. On this week we celebrate all of iCare’s Therapeutic Recreation, Life Enrichment and Activities Professionals as they bring fun, engagement, enrichment and fulfillment to our residents’ lives. 

On behalf of iCare Health Network we would like to express our deep gratitude to all of our partners within state government in Connecticut for their vision, unwavering support and ongoing commitment to 60 West and its mission of serving the underserved. We would also like to thank those that make it happen on a daily basis; the skilled, compassionate and all around excellent staff of 60 West who truly make it happen every single day. 

As more nursing homes seek to add behavioral health services to their continuum of care, providers that have been specializing in these areas for decades can be used as a blueprint to achieving similar results. Covid-induced isolation, coupled with initiatives outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), make existing programs – like those launched by SNF operator iCare Health Network – important references moving ahead for the sector. Not only does Connecticut-based iCa…