Dear Members,

As we move into the holiday season and towards the end of 2021, it is time to reflect back on the year. I don’t think any of us could have predicted encountering the challenges of the last few years.

From my position as Executive Director, I see an industry stretched to the limit, who continually rises to the task of caring for those they serve. I would like to take a moment to say how proud I am of all of you. I am proud of the homecare industry in general, but recently, for its ability to grow and change so quickly during the pandemic and continue to find ways to meet the ever-changing needs of the clients and patients.

MNCHA has been proud to support and serve you over these last few years, working to do whatever possible to find its members supplies, education, and legislative leadership and support. We will continue to support the needs of the members.

Through our ongoing relationship with government agencies such as Maryland Medicaid, the Office of Health Care Quality, the Maryland Health Care Commission, the Maryland Department of Health, CMS Office of Program Operations and Local Engagement, and others, we are able to communicate the needs of the homecare industry and work towards solutions that strengthen the industry’s ability to serve its customers.

Additionally, MNCHA maintains memberships in the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the Council of State Home Care and Hospice Associations, the Home Care Association of America, AAHomecare, and the Maryland Regional Direct Workers Collaborative.

MNCHA is also represented on the Governor’s Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council, the DC LTC Coalition, and routinely participates in workgroups with Maryland government agencies.

It is important for the members to communicate with us and let us know about your ongoing needs. Regular attendance at the quarterly Member Meetings and routine interaction with the Executive Director are the easiest ways to help us understand your needs. These meeting dates are sent out in advance via email and are posted on the MNCHA website. The agenda for the member meetings is set by the members with topics of the members choosing.

We encourage you to attend our Legislative Committee which meets from January to April during the legislative session. This is where the membership discusses legislation which is in the best interest of the homecare industry. As the bills drop during the session, this group meets weekly to discuss the impact that these bills may have on the providers and determine the best course of action. In addition to this meeting, we are continually monitoring the situation in Maryland to best position the homecare industry for success.

We encourage you to also participate in the Program Committee calls. This is where the members discuss their educational needs and helps the Executive Director set a course for the upcoming year. Based on these discussions, the Executive Director will create the educational platform that best meets the needs of the members.

Finally, I would like to say thank you and farewell. As you may know, I am retiring at the end of the year. It has been an honor and a privilege to work in the homecare industry and to support the providers who are so vital to the people of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

This doesn’t mean I will not participate in MNCHA events in the future, I will as time permits.

As I have been in the industry in Maryland for over thirty years, I have come to know many of you personally. I have never met a more dedicated group of individuals who have more compassion and drive to serve others. For that, I would like to say thank you. Please keep up the excellent work, the community needs you.

I would like to close by reminding you that MNCHA may be small, but it is mighty. We have formed and molded legislation to support the industry and that is no small feat. It is through the strength and participation of membership that we have been and will continue to be able to do so.

 As I always say, MNCHA exists for the members and by the members. So, I encourage you to get involved if you are not already and to continue to be involved as you have been in the past.

Thank you and I wish you all a happy holiday season,

Dawn