MissionCare Health

iCare Health Network’s MissionCare Health is the Leading Provider and Operator of Long Term Care for the Justice Involved and Difficult to Place Population

Since 2013, iCare Health Network has operated the first long term care nursing center for the justice involved population and individuals that are otherwise challenging to transition and place in an appropriate site of care. 

Now, in 2023, when budget and policy experts search for a provider and operator with experience, accomplishments and successes in working with a justice-involved population in a Medicare/Medicaid certified and state licensed Long Term Care Facility, iCare Health Network stands out as the gold standard. As such, we have created a new brand, MissionCare Health, that incorporates both 60 West and MissionCare at Holyoke as well as future, similar endeavors.  

What follows is a description the current programs at MissionCare locations, the MissionCare philosophy and best practices for such a program and facility. 60 West is the flagship project and location for this program and is heavily highlighted. 

Check out the 60 West page here

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Timeline and Background for the 60 West project

In 2012, in response to a State of Connecticut Request for Proposal (Titled “Nursing Home For Individuals In State Care Who Are Difficult To Place”), iCare Health Network submitted a response which resulted in a engagement with the State of Connecticut to establish nursing home care for individuals in state care.

Check out news, stories, and updates from 60 West

The basic resident profile was individuals that were: (1) difficult to place at a site of appropriate care as a result of their judicial, social or other history; and (2) they met federal requirements for long term care in a nursing home setting; and, (3) would be transitioning from a correctional facility, have criminal justice involvement and/or be individuals transitioning from a higher level of care provided by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).

After being  the selected bidder and contracting with the State of Connecticut, iCare opened “60 West”, a 95 bed skilled nursing center operated by an iCare entity known as SecureCare Options in 2013, in Rocky Hill, CT. iCare continues to manage and operate this nursing facility.   

Vital Stats for 60 West

• Consistently achieved an overall 5-Star Rating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - One of only nine nursing homes in CT with 5-Star Ratings in all four categories (98^th percentile – 320 out of 15,600 nationally).
• Over 100 resident admissions from correctional facilities since opening.
• Over 200 total admissions from a state facility since opening.
• Coordinated care and supervision for residents needing SNF level of care under the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) who were found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect.
• Care and supervision for residents who are listed on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
• Acquired Brain Injury - Traumatic Brain Injury Program.
• US News and World Report – Best Nursing Homes – 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the Long Term Care category. 
• Zero Employee-Related Lost Time Injuries since opening in 2013
• 2020 American Health Care Association (AHCA) ‘Silver Quality Award’ Recipient
• Director of Nursing Recognized with 2022 Nightingale Excellence in Nursing Award
• Mission Statement: “Provide Enrichment Through Specialized Care, Dignity and Acceptance.” 

Keys to Success in Long Term Care for the Justice Involved Population

1. Policies, procedures and interventions compliant with state and federal nursing facility regulations, including 2017 revisions to CMS Guidelines addressing justice-involved residents.
2. Development of innovative and unique programming in a person-centered facility environment and culture guided by the social and cultural backgrounds and interests of the individuals who contribute to the community’s composition.
3. Procedures to assess and treat PTSD and undiagnosed traumatic reactions and symptoms of residents. 
4. “Stigma-free” campaign and initiative in which all employees pledged to adopt a broadened philosophy of caregiving, including a commitment to welcome and respect those of differing cultures and backgrounds.
5. Extensive pre-admission screening (CCR 2505-10 8.400) and risk mitigation strategies and protocols.
6. Knowledge, skills and experience in legal, government and community relations, clinical operations and healthcare regulations.
7. Recruitment, screening, hiring and training of the staff as building blocks for the development and maintenance of an environment and person-centered programming that promotes resident quality of life.
8. A physical environment designed with a focus on safety and comfort, with removal or mitigation of potentially dangerous, hazardous or antagonistic spaces, equipment or systems prior to occupancy with particular attention to creating an atmosphere or milieu conducive to healing.
9. Specialized visitation policy and procedures, screening and access control supervision have proven effective in providing a safe environment, while ensuring resident rights to visitation are protected.
10. Extensive experience with justice-involved nursing facility residents with court-ordered restrictions or conditions of parole or probation.
11. Facility policies, practices and care planning that assist residents with their legal responsibilities through awareness of the resident’s restrictions, education on consequences, and counseling regarding a resident’s choices and actions. 
12. Training in Safety-Care™, a certified behavioral management training curriculum that places great emphasis on safe and effective de-escalation and management of potentially harmful resident care situations.“

Resources, Links and News

1. Building an Edge: SNF Operators Innovate Through Establishing Specialty Services, Public-Private Partnerships

2. Frank Smith was locked up for eight decades. At 98, what would it mean to be free?

3. The Never-Ending Murder Case: How Mental Competency Laws Can Trap People With Dementia

4. Connecticut SNF Provides Behavioral Health Blueprint as CMS Places Emphasis on Service Line

5. WHY ELDERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO FIND CARE AFTER PRISON
6. 60 West’s Michele Clemens Wins 2022 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing 
7. For Aging Inmates, Care Outside Prison Walls” by Christine Vestal, the PEW Charitable Trusts, 8/12/2014
8. Evaluation of Outcomes for a Skilled Nursing Facility for Persons Who are Difficult to Place
9. 60 West Project Timeline
10. Greenwich Times Article on Longest Serving Prisoner, Now Residing at 60 West After 72 Years in Prison
11. UCONN Center on Aging Study – “A Community-Based Skilled Nursing Facility for Difficult-to-Place Patients”

12. “When Prisons Need to Be More Like Nursing Homes” The Marshall Project

13. AHCA Silver Award New Release
14. iCare Behavioral, Cognitive, SUD Brochure
15. iCare Mental Disorders Brochure
16. iCare Health Network Clinical Capabilities Grid
17. Governing Magazine Article: States Look so Nursing Homes to Lower Prison Healthcare Costs 
18. Hartford Courant - Rocky Hill’s 60 West nursing home named one of best by U.S. News and World Report
19. 60 West - Facility News, Discussion and Updates
20. Admission Criteria for the Justice Involved Population
21. PASRR Level of Care Criteria Worksheet

If you represent a State agency or other public or justice-involved organization or entity and you are interested in learning more about 60 West, MissionCare Health and/or skilled nursing programs for individuals that are difficult to place or in state care, please contact:

David Skoczulek, Vice President of Business Development and Communications, at (860) 250-3075 or email at MOC.NHERACI@OFNI.

iCare Health Network’s Qualifications for Special Population Care

• Care of Justice-Involved and Difficult to Place Individuals (both in Connecticut and Massachusetts)
• Seven (7) Secured Behavioral Health Programs
• Six (6) Secured Memory Care Programs
• iRecovery Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program
• Ancillary company providing onsite SUD counseling services
• Huntington’s Disease Program (part of Movement Disorder Program) – Unique to only one nursing facility in CT.
• HIV/AIDS Program – One of only two programs in CT nursing facilities.
• Veterans Program
• Advanced CHF and COPD Programs
• On average, over 90% of residents payor State Medicaid
• Both unionized and non-unionized workforce (around 1900 employees)
• Eleven (11) American Health Care Association (AHCA) Bronze Quality Award Recipients
• Six (6) American Health Care Association (AHCA) Silver Quality Award Recipients