CAPROCK QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER





Thoughts from Carlos Morales- pg 2
Culture Corner with Brad Newton - pg 3
Marketing Momentum with Kristi Jordan - pg 4
Strategy Session with Jake Hodges - pg 5
Accounting Activities with Jessica Martinez - pgs 6-7
Training Station with Jessica Cortinas - pg 7
HR Toolkit with Lisa Mills - pg 8
Special Tribute to Client & Caregiver Duo - pg 9
Special Tributes to Darla Eckley - pgs 10-11
Congratulations Graduates - pg 12
Fun Facts About Caprock - pg 13
Caprock in the Community - pgs 14-15
Caprock Happenings - pgs 16-19
Birthday Celebrations - pg 20
Work-A-Versary Celebrations - pg 21
Work-A-Versary Pins - pg 22
Caprock Milestones - pg 23
Employees & Attendants of the Quarter - pgs 24-25
Culture Calendar - pg 26
Know Be4 Winners - pg 27
Way to go on achieving exceptional scores!
MISSION:
Improve the quality of life through patient-centered care models to provide independence and comfort at home.
VISION:
We will adapt to the ever-changing health care initiatives to provide the quality and effective home health care services our patients deserve.
CORE
By Carlos Morales, Chief Operations Officer
As we navigate through another month filled with milestones and challenges, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we've been on together. Our Leadership Summit and Town Hall meetings have been more than just gatherings; they've been vibrant hubs of collaboration, exchange, and collective growth. Today, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you who have contributed to making these meetings so impactful.
The essence of these meetings lies in the unity of purpose and the spirit of camaraderie that fills the room (even virtually!). It's where our Core Values were created, ideas were sparked, initiatives took shape, and where we reaffirmed our commitment to our shared goals. What makes these gatherings truly special is the unwavering dedication and enthusiasm that each of you brings to the table. I am continually inspired by the meaningful conversations we have had—the insightful feedback, the constructive debates, and the thoughtful suggestions. Your engagement is not just commendable, it's fundamental to our progress as a team and as a company. Whether you've shared a bold new strategy, asked a probing question, or simply listened attentively, your presence has made a difference.
Beyond the agenda items and action points, our town hall meetings are a testament to the strength of our teamwork. They are a platform where every voice is valued, where collaboration transcends departmental boundaries, and where we collectively shape our future. Your willingness to listen, to support one another, and to work towards common objectives exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork.
What a start! Let’s take this momentum and continue to make Caprock a better company. Keep sharing the ideas, keep requesting more input, keep pushing for larger-scale collaborations, because this company cannot succeed without your input. As much as we strive to be a quality home health care provider, we must match that same energy to become a quality employer. We will never be done chasing that goal, so let’s keep this going! Thank you once again for your dedication, your insights, and your unwavering commitment to our team's success. Here's to many more productive and inspiring meetings ahead!
By Brad Newton, Chief People Officer
We had such a blast visiting all our parent offices over the last few months for our Town Hall gatherings. After holding a Leadership Summit in January, where we had over 40 leaders across Caprock come together in Lubbock, we wanted to bring a condensed version to each of you via the Town Hall format. We enjoyed meals together, worked as a Team to refresh our Core Values, completed Team Building events, and learned more about what makes Caprock a great place to work. These Town Halls set the stage for many more office visits to come, as we look to ensure that we are supporting each location sufficiently to succeed at the highest level. The Core Values refresh time was incredibly important to lay the foundation for who we want to be and what we want to be known for as a company over the next 40+ years. We are finalizing all the valuably gathered feedback that you provided at each Town Hall and will be putting out a final draft of our refreshed Core Values soon. Furthermore, we will be exploring how to best embed our Core Values into everything we do at Caprock. From hiring, to how we conduct meetings, to how we treat our colleagues, to how we evaluate performance, you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more about or Core Values. Even more importantly than simply hearing and seeing our Core Values, we are asking each of you to commit to living them out each day. If you remember nothing else about our refreshed Core Values, remember the acronym “DIRECT” and you’ll be able to recite our Core Values. “DIRECT” stands for Drive, Integrity, Respect, Empowerment, Compassion, and Teamwork. DIRECT is also meaningful because our Core Values “DIRECT” how we behave. With clearly defined Core Values and behaviors, we can now hold each other accountable to bring out the best in each of us. This is powerful stuff, and we are just getting started! Scan QR code below to see a Leadership Summit & Town Hall Video
As we continue to fly through 2024, be on the lookout for a quarterly employee appreciation gift. While relatively small in size, we hope each of these gifts you’ll receive is highly useful and practical in your daily life. For Quarter 1, you should have each received an embossed Caprock blue journal and pen. We hope this journal keeps you organized and helps to capture all your thoughts, notes, and dreams. If you have not yet received your journal, please reach out and we will get you one ASAP! Be on the lookout soon for more fun employee appreciation gifts coming your way. It’s one of many ways we want to continuously say THANK YOU for doing what you do each day at Caprock. Your work matters and you help us fulfill our mighty mission to keep our clients safe, comfortable, and independent in their home.
By Kristi Jordan, Director of Marketing
Have you ever wondered why we have reports such as the scorecard, financial reports, marketing reports, billing reports, etc.? One reason is that it is used as a tool to help strategize on how we can best grow revenue for the company. These reports are better known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPI’s are critical tools in driving revenue growth for any company, including Caprock!Essentially, KPI’s are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives. By focusing on these specific metrics, organizations can identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement, ultimately leading to more strategic decision-making and resource allocation. KPI’s provide a clear and quantifiable way to monitor progress towards goals. This visibility allows businesses to track performance over time, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. For example, we currently use KPI’s, such as monthly financial reports, to pinpoint which services our offices are performing well and which ones need more attention. By focusing on these metrics, we can adjust our strategies to enhance our strengths and address any weaknesses, leading to more effective ways to boost revenue. KPI’s help align the entire organization towards common goal objectives. When employees at all levels understand the key metrics that drive success, we can work more cohesively and efficiently towards achieving those goals. This alignment fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, where employees are motivated to perform at their best. In summary, KPI’s are indispensable in helping Caprock focus on what matters most, align our efforts, and make informed decisions that propel revenue growth. Stay tuned as we continue to roll out more KPI’s across the company to help make data-driven decisions that will drive revenue!
By Jake Hodges, Chief Strategy Officer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to revolutionize the health care industry, offering opportunities to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and drive innovation. As we all get ready for this new era, it’s important for us at CHHS to be prepared for the integration of AI and what it can do for our company.
Here’s a quote from Bill Gates that sums up this transition very well: “The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get healthcare, and communicate with each other. Entire industries will reorient around it. Businesses will distinguish themselves by how well they use it.” Here are just a few ways CHHS is preparing for AI integration:
Staying Patient-Centered
• The core of our mission is to improve our patients’ quality of life, independence, and comfort at home. As we integrate AI into our practices, it is essential to keep the focus on our patients. AI can enhance the patient experience, improve outcomes, and ensure personalized care. Remember, AI is a tool to assist us, not replace the human touch that is fundamental to health care.
Continually Learning
• The technology driving AI is constantly changing, and staying informed about the latest advancements is essential. We plan to engage in continuous learning through online courses, workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on AI in home health care.
Opening minds to Innovation
• Encouraging open discussions about innovation is an important step. Sometimes change can be intimidating and happens very quickly. During the past few months, we’ve had a ton of opportunities to talk with AI-driven companies that offer some very creative and interesting solutions to some of the common processes in home health.
Understanding the Basics of AI
• The development of AI is very technical and complex. It’s not expected or realistic that we all become AI experts, but having a basic understanding of the concepts will help navigate this new landscape. Continuous learning will make it easier for CHHS to understand how AI can be best applied to our roles and responsibilities.
Prioritizing Data Privacy and Security
• We understand that transitioning to digital processes requires a ton of data security and protection. Our IT and Communications departments have done a great job helping our company maintain high standards for security. As we get ready for AI, we have confidence that our compliance with any new requirements will be met and maintained.
Measuring and Evaluating
• As we implement AI solutions, it is important to measure their impact and evaluate their effectiveness. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess how AI is improving patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and scalability will be an ongoing process.
Staying Ethical
• Because this is a very new concept, AI in home health raises important ethical considerations. CHHS is aware of the ethical implications of AI use in our company. We want to make sure AI is used in ways that are fair, transparent, and beneficial to all patients and employees.
Looking Ahead
The integration of AI into home health care is exciting and intimidating at the same time. By staying informed, embracing innovation, and prioritizing patient-centered care, we can use AI to improve health outcomes and advance our mission at CHHS.
By Jessica Martinez, Staff Accountant
A few months ago, the accounting team was so excited in prepari Las Vegas. We couldn’t believe that we would even be able to go first thought “was it worth it?” Should Caprock create another should go? After we transitioned to the new Sage Intacct system good having months under our belt. We were doing things that Caprock had not done before. We were finally utilizing a system where each one of us within the accounting team knew because we helped with the implementation process. We were getting our financials out faster, our teams/employees were all working closer together to meet our end goals and duties.
We knew that each one of us could benefit from the Sage Transform conference for our specific duties. We felt we would learn a little more and get advice, and maybe solve a problem that we didn’t know we had from others who had already been using the system. The Accounting department wanted to be able to monitor our true performance while keeping our financial processes running smoothly, juggling multiple locations, and regulatory requirements. We no longer wanted to manage multiple spreadsheets to get our financial reporting done. We felt time had been wasted on manual processes or data re-entry because our financial system was disconnected from our billing, payroll, and other applications.
When we arrived in Vegas, we were prepared, or at least thought we were prepared. Little did we know what we had gotten ourselves into! We did not know how much walking we would do or how many people would be in the same boat with us. We each signed up for the many sessions that Sage had made available. For me, I wanted anything to do with accounts receivable (AR), financials, and month end. Priscilla attended Payroll sessions, Amber did accounts payable (AP) and Accounting, and Hilary attended as much as she could that pertained to healthcare, reporting and insights. Anything that she felt would help her understand the system better and make our month end tasks easier.
Now, this is where it gets funny. Remember when I mentioned we thought we were doing good and going places as a department? Well, after each session we would all try to meet up and discuss what we thought or gained from the speakers. It was soon discovered that Caprock’s Accounting department was not where we thought we should be. In fact, we are behind as far as how artificial intelligence (AI) and Sage Intacct worked. We were not utilizing the system to its fullest, so the excitement became frustration because how could we be far ahead in Lubbock, but in Vegas, amongst other companies and vendors, we felt so far behind. The only answer we could come up with is that Caprock is its own kind of company. There is no one else doing what we do or have been doing for 40 years, and it’s all a learning curve. We must keep pushing on and going through the different times of how things are done.
One thing for was for sure. When we made it back home, we each had a certain amount of drive and enthusiasm to figure out what and how we can use Sage Intaact and AI to automate our efficiency, streamline tasks, eliminate inaccuracies, and give us agility in decision-making. Plus, we want to keep our options open and make decisions that won’t limit our growth. They had mentioned that the next conference was going to be sometime at the end of this year, but we knew there was some work that needed to be done before we considered attending another conference.
Hopefully, within the next year or so, we will be ready. As BJ Garcia says, “The Accounting Department acts as the headlights for the company.” We must stay bright, by learning and gaining as much as we can to keep our leaders (and whole company) straight and headed in the right direction.
Accounting Team Attends the Sage Transform Conference
By Jessica Cortinas, Workforce Development Manager
American RedCross Website
American RedCross website has several Summer Safety Tips on the following. Please see the website for full details on How to have a safe fun, Summer.
Water Safety – Don’t swim alone
Beach Safety – Watch the weather and protect yourself from the heat.
Camping – Share your plans with family and friends.
Picnics – Bring hand sanitizer
Grilling Safety – Keep grill out in the open and away from tress or anything that can catch fire
Mosquitoes and Ticks – Use insect repellant
Summer and Pets – Don’t leave you pets inside of a car. And give them plenty of water Fireworks – Keep water or fire extinguisher close by to prevent any grass fires.
As always, if any questions or concerns about an injury or to report one, please reach out to me! I’m happy to help.
By Lisa Mills, Director of HR
Employee engagement is an ongoing concern for HR Professionals, as keeping employees engaged is critical to a business’s success. Various research has shown one thing in common, that if an organization wants to sustain overall, then it is essential for it to have an engaged workforce. Employees feel engaged when they find personal meaning and motivation in their work, receive positive interpersonal support, and operate in an efficient work environment.
Profit is one of the key factors upon which the growth and survival of a business depends, and employee engagement is important as it improves performance and productivity, which in turn brings in additional revenue. Engagement does not necessarily mean keeping employees happy. Rather, it depends on motivating employees to work towards meeting the goals of the organization. Employees are critical assets for an organization. It is difficult to calculate their value for a variety of reasons. When employees are disengaged, they take long lunch hours, leave at the stroke of five, not staying a moment longer than they have to. More important, they will not fully engage their minds to solve problems effectively. They do not contribute to and can even impede their company’s success. However, when they are engaged, they are crucial to the success of the company, bringing motivation, innovative ideas, and willingness to go the “extra mile” to get the work done.
CHHS takes this topic to heart, as all employees are valued and as a company we strive to encourage engagement at many levels. The need for an engaged workforce compels CHHS to not only motivate the staff, but to also provide for the well-being of the employees. By fostering a happy workplace and improving the mental health of the staff, we hope to improve job satisfaction with employees that are happy to work towards CHHS’s business goals.
An engaged workforce can take an CHHS to great heights.
By Kathy Merrill and Brad Newton
At Caprock, we have some incredible and unique scenarios where an adult child takes care their aging parent or a parent takes care of their child. This quarter, we are excited to highlight and pay tribute to an extraordinary duo of a daughter in a Caprock Caregiver role that took care of her mother, a long-time Caprock Client. What makes the story even more fascinating is that Mae (or “Mae Mae” as her close loved ones call her) passed away recently, just one day shy of turning 108 years old. Yes, you read that right! 108! Wow.
Mae Hendrix was born in 1916 in Arkansas and grew up in a farming family. She was one of eight children and helped from a young age with chopping cotton, driving a tractor, and helping plant for each upcoming season. When she turned sixteen, her dad bought her a horse and buggy. She also spent time working in a factory.
Mae traveled to Texas for a cousin’s funeral, ended up staying a few weeks, and really liked Texas. She met her husband Cecil and they got married in 1938. They resided in Quitaque, Texas and had ten children. There were five girls and five boys, with seven of the ten still living today. She moved to Lubbock nine years ago and her daughter Sue Ford has been her Caregiver through Caprock for the last 11 years. Mae was an avid card player, a woman of faith, and loved her family deeply. Her daughter Sue states that she “Taught us hard work” and to “Always make sure you look after yourself.” Mae has always been an independent woman and taught the importance of this value to her children.
Sue is proud to have helped take care of her mom all these years and sees her role as a Caregiver as an honor and calling. Sue moved back to Lubbock from Michigan to be with one of her sisters. She has four grandchildren that fill her cup up and “make me feel so great.” When Mae had gone through some tough health issues, Sue shared that her youngest granddaughter would take Mae’s hand and sometimes be the only one that could get Mae to open her eyes and smile. Sue started caring for her mother many years ago and though challenging and tiring at times, she would not have it any other way. In her limited spare time, Sue enjoys sewing with her mom and again, spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren. When asked if Mae has any secrets to living to be 108, her answer was:
“Work hard, be honest, believe in the Lord, and don’t eat much meat.”
Mae saw many remarkable things in her lifetime and despite all the changes in the world, she remained optimistic about the future. Caprock recently had the privilege to present Sue with a gift basket for her birthday with some of her favorite treats.
Cheers to Mae Hendrix and Sue Ford! We celebrate and remember Mae’s life. These are two incredible ladies that will always be a part of the Caprock family, and embody everything Caprock stands for.
Darla Eckley was a beloved member of our Wichita Falls Team for 2.5 years, from 2021 to 2024. She worked in the roles of Attendant Recruiter, Client Care Supervisor, and Receptionist. Darla passed away in 2024 due to a battle with cancer, but she maintained her positivity and smile through it all. Several of our Wichita Falls staff took the time to celebrate and remember the life she lived so well.
Tribute from Lacie Jennings
Darla has been in the healthcare field for 30+ years. She had been with Caprock for 2.5 years, she started out as an Attendant Recruiter and worked her way up to Client Care Supervisor ,before she got ill. She had a meticulous eye and a dedication to quality of care for clients. She had so much compassion and dedication to helping others. But what truly set her apart was she was always available to offer guidance, share knowledge, and providing support to anyone who needed it. Darla helped shape the lives of so many throughout the years. Beyond her professional contributions, whether it was organizing & participating in charity drives, or participating in Car & Jeep shows, always winning 1st place. She was always raising money for Toys for TOTs. She would put together care packages and donations for the elderly (blankets, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc). She truly loved life. Darla's life outside the office was just as rich and full. She was always on the go.
In her final days, despite her illness, Darla showed immense strength and courage. Her concern for how we were all coping, even as she faced her challenges, was a testament to her selfless nature. She faced adversity with dignity and grace, and in doing so, she taught us one final, invaluable lesson – the power of resilience and hope. As we bid farewell to Darla let us honor her memory by embodying the qualities that she exemplified. Let us strive to be compassionate, dedicated, and to find joy in our work and our relationships. Her spirit will forever be a part of this team, and her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.
To Darla thank you for the laughter, the wisdom, and the countless memories. You were more than a colleague; you were a treasured friend. Your memory will forever be cherished in our hearts.
Rest in peace, Darla. You have left an indelible mark on our lives, and you will be deeply missed.
Tribute from Crystal Sansom
Darla had a passion and heart for others, and it showed in her interactions with her clients and PCAs and work family. Darla's love and dedication for her work and others, showed greatly in her active participation in any event our office had in our community. As well as her participation in her own time raising money for cancer research and toy for tots. On a personal level Darla was full of life and loved to play practical jokes on everyone in the office, she would dance and sing while working often entertaining us! Darla loved her husband, Grandkids, Dr. Pepper, her jeep, getting her nails done, and her vacations to Colorado. We will miss her greatly and her absence in our office is felt daily.
Tribute from Crystal Palmer
Darla, we will miss you very much. She was a very hardworking woman, a wonderful mother who always loved her car shows. Darla had a very great spirt and attitude, and a beautiful smile. She was always there to help others if needed.
Eckley You Will Be Missed, But Always Remembered.
We give each full-time employee 8 VTO Hours (volunteering time off) per year.
Find a charity or non-profit you’re passionate about and go use your VTO Hours in 2024!
Think Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Animal Shelter, Church Project, etc. There are endless possibilities right in your community.
120 Days: This is the new amount of time to use your Holiday Exchange hours (up from 90 days). We hope this update enables you to use these hours before they expire! Remember, when taking time off, be sure to use your available Holiday Exchange Hours first before your PTO.
Referral and Recruiting Bonus: You can make $1,500 just for referring someone to Caprock who gets hired on. Currently, we are offering this referral and recruiting bonus for open Registered Nurse (RN) positions across the company. So, consider being a mini recruiter for us and talk to your family, friends, neighbors, and people at the grocery store. Pretty sweet deal! #whodoyouknow?
Lubbock Stateside at Lunch and Learn
Lisa & Hilary at LBK Biz Expo
Abilene Be a Good Neighbor EventMissty & Barbara
Janie Mejia Makes Tortillas for Recent Caprock Breakfast
LBK Biz Expo
El Paso Hospice Event
El Paso Caprock Donates Dog Food to Animal Services
Caregiver Conference
Justin and Julie Networking in San Antonio
Raider Ranch May Birthday Celebrations
Wichita Falls Team Building
Wall of Positivity in San Antonio
Abilene Employee of the Quarter Silvia Torrez
Abilene Celebrating Survey Passing
Random Acts of Kindness Area in San Antonio
Abiliene Team Building
David Marmolejo & Mike Morales Attend Home Care Security Summit Attendant Appreciation Baskets
Team covering RESPECT in their team meeting
for Audrea in Caprock Kitchen
Lori and David in Abilene with a 100 yr old Client
To all of our team members turning a year older in the 2nd Quarter:
April 2nd - Jorge Ruiz de Vinaspre
April 2nd - Mercedes Caballero
April 8th - Amber Alvarado
April 11th - Ryan Rigdon
April 12th - Karina Hernandez
April 15th - Kerri McLearen
April 20th - Sally Wingfield
April 21st - Norma Cervantes
May 20th - Laura Perez
May 19th - Desiree Basilio
May 20th - Amanda Perez
May 23rd - Christina Montez
May 26th - Maria Reyes
May 31st - Patricia Ramirez
June 4th - Silvia Meza
June 10th - Cynthia Salinas
April 24th - Allison Seifert
April 26th - Crystal Gauna
April 30th - ShCarla Thornton
April 30th - Veronica Diaz
April 30th - Gracey Browning
May 1st - Yvonne Rodriguez
May 2nd - Janie Vega
May 4th - Crystal Rivera
May 6th - Heather Hernandez
May 9th - Flor Todd
May 17th - Barbara Jennings
June 16th - Kaytlyn Gilbreath
June 19th - Alexander Rosa-Cruz
June 19th - Janie Garcia
June 19th - Jennifer Espinosa
June 22nd - Melissa Bolf
June 22nd - Laureal Atere
June 24th - Stephanie Vasquez
June 26th - Jennifer Drowns
June 28th - Tiffany Chandler
June 29th - Rosa Clay
June 30th - Justin Gaona
Happy Work-a-versary to our teammates who have celebrated another year with CHHS in the 2nd Quarter!
1 Year - Tara Colbert
1 Year - Staci Nelson
1 Year - ShCarla Thornton
2 Years- Sheila Lockridge
3 Years- Flor Todd
3 Years- Courtney Young
3 Years- Yvonne Rodgriguez
3 Years- Oyuki Sosa
4 Years- Shannon Younger
5 Years- Patricia Ramirez
6 Years- Lacie Jennings
6 Years- Melissa Stricklin
6 Years- Terra Corrigan
7 Years- Kristi Jordan
9 Years- Allison Arney
9 Years- Allison Seifert
9 Years- Jake Hodges
10 Years- Maria Reyes
12 Years- Georgina Garcia
14 Years- JR Morales
15 Years- Ana Meza
20 Years- Carlos Morales
21 Years- Kathy Merrill
How well did you read the newsletter? Read and take the quiz for a chance to be entered in for a few prizes!
We held a fun and spontaneous drawing in mid-May to recognize and award a few lucky winners who completed all their Q1 (Jan, Feb, Mar) KnowBe4 Videos. Anyone who completed all 3 mini-training videos was entered 3 times into the drawing and we drew 10 winners. Each winner took home a $5 Starbucks gift card. If you didn’t win, don’t worry. There will be chances to win future prizes. Just keep watching those monthly KnowBe4 videos as they come out!
Congratulations to our Winners!
Maria Keever
Amanda Perez
Sharla Rawlins
Gabriela Cerna
Desiree Morrison
Ana Meza
Shannon Younger
Kara Porter
Zach Michaels Lacie Jennings