Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Wilson.
Nicole, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My passion has led to a journey as a leader in the Mental Health Industry with a rewarding career working with intellectually disabled children and adults. The journey began at a relatively young age when one of my close friends had a sibling with a learning disability. I was mindfully aware of the differences in the little sister’s quality of life and the way people reacted towards her because they were unfamiliar with her condition. My youthful intrigue was transformed into a God-given desire to serve the mental health community of both children and adults faced with the full spectrum of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
All of this helped me with make the life-changing decision to have a larger, positive impact that reaches more people when I founded my Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program in 2007 named Anointed Caring Homes, Inc. in Katy, Texas and later co-founded Dynamic Possibilities Day Activity Center in 2009 and in 2019 launched On The Go Medical Supply to cover the range of resource needs for the individuals I serve.
My background includes substantial experience in youth training and Case Management where I worked in the private sector for four years. I enjoyed expanding my knowledge in the infrastructure of the system with my time as Service Coordinator for three years at The Harris Center, formerly Mental Health Mental Retardation of Harris County in Houston, Texas. I had the privilege of coordinating services based on individualized needs on a transformative level. During my tenure, I was able to develop and help implement the care plans that outlined needed services and support for clients.
I received a B.S. in Rehabilitation Services at Southern A&M University in 2001 and an M.S. in Juvenile Forensic Psychology at Prairie View A&M University in 2004.
My personality naturally lends itself to being very calm in nature. I do not have a wide range of emotional responses and am regarded professionally for my Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) Trainer Certification and Anger Management training that allows me to stay calm in stressful endured environments. This training coupled with my natural gift of advocating for the mental health community has aided me greatly in my personal and professional career. I understand that I can’t change the world on my own, but knowing that I have a chance to help one child and how that child can help another, left me hopeful that we can see change the world. My life experiences are filled with experiences that I’m certain have contributed to my vast knowledge of this industry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing in life worth having comes easy right? Although it is very rewarding, there have been some challenges along the way. As the Program Director of a Medicaid Waiver program, the challenge of trying to meet all of your objectives with limited funding and resources is a daily challenge that we continue to hurdle over a decade later.
Funding Capital for Expansion Dilemma
In 2010, the line item reimbursement for “Case Management” was removed as a reimbursable HCS service while the need for that level of care management remained critically necessary. “I distinctly recall a moment during our team meeting when I implored on my staff saying, “We must figure out a way to continue providing that service as it is an imperative component of the continued continuity of care.” The shortfall continues to create an administrative burden and financial deficit of up to $1.1M in potential annual reimbursement, yet we are committed to rendering the care.
In 2014, Anointed Caring Homes expanded our network by contracting with The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services providing opportunity for an increase in community placements and gave us the negotiating power to create a win-win partnership that ultimately increased revenue and community visibility.
Superior Staffing Dilemma
Due to our rapid growth, as of August 2019, we have 15+ open Direct Care Staff positions resulting in 800+ overtime hours. As a leader in the HCS industry, we are often referred to for placement and can not maintain staffing commensurate with our steady growth.
Retention: The service industry has one of the highest employee turnover rates due to: (1) highly competitive industry (2) general lack of adequate opportunities for advancement. While ACH utilizes retention strategies we still have the challenge of attracting and retaining quality employees while experiencing rapid growth.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Anointed Caring Homes story. Tell us more about the business.
Anointed Caring Homes Incorporated is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Provider that was established in 2006. It is a state-certified agency through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Medicaid Waiver Program. This program provides individualized community-based services for people of all ages diagnosed with intellectual disabilities who are living with their families, in their own homes or in other community settings, such as small group homes where no more than four people live. The local authority provides service coordination.
Our highly qualified staff have a broad range of expertise in addressing a wide range of issues experienced by people with developmental disabilities and have extensive experience serving dually diagnosed individuals including those who experience autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, mental illness, deaf/blindness, and medical fragility.
Services offered by Anointed Caring Homes include Residential Services, Specialized Therapies (Behavior Support, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy), Day Habilitation, Nursing, Dental Services, Adaptive Aids, Dietary and Audiology. Within the last five years, we have started contracting with The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to place children through Child Specific Contracts.
What sets us apart?
Anointed Caring Homes is known for treating our staff and individuals with dignity and respect and anointing them with care… We treat our employees, contractors, individuals and parents as part of the Anointed family and we maintain an open-door policy of transparency and accountability.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion – The childhood passion to care for individuals with special needs drives the culture and competency of Anointed Caring Homes and it’s the single personality trait we seek in potential employees.
I believe that having a passionately calm and preserving spirit, in a service led industry has played a very important role in my life personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5444 N. Fry Rd
Suite E Katy, TX. 77449 - Website: www.anointedcaringhomes.com
- Phone: 281-861-6500
- Email: nwilson@anointedcaringhomes.com
- Instagram: theofficalanointedcaringhomes
- Facebook: anointedcaringhomes
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