Waveny LifeCare Network Awarded LeadingAge Connecticut’s Social Accountability Award

It is with great pride that Waveny LifeCare Network announces that it has been awarded LeadingAge Connecticut’s prestigious Social Accountability Award for The Kathleen M. Fruin, RN Certified Nursing Aide School. The award was presented to Waveny’s President and CEO Russell Barksdale, Jr. at the 2022 Leading Age Connecticut Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

“Waveny’s mission extends well beyond its array of programs and services and includes critically important, socially accountable efforts like our comprehensive CNA training and onboarding platform, The Kathleen M. Fruin, RN Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) School,” said Russell Barksdale, President and CEO.

Waveny’s CNA School is designed to assist disenfranchised surrounding communities, and low income groups (as defined by the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee’s framework) to increase access to healthcare, and post-high school education and employment opportunities, as well as reduce poverty levels by helping those experiencing limited income prospects or financial hardships to find greater sustainability during difficult economic times.

The Kathleen M. Fruin, RN Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) School drives student success with key differentiators:

1. Financial support: Candidates earn income from Day 1 as Waveny employees, receive free tuition and benefits, and are immediately “paid to train”;
2. Flexible structure: Class schedules accommodate students’ time and financial limitations so they don’t have to work multiple jobs, or worry about daycare availability, or how to pay for school;
3. Comprehensive training: We provide training in two critical areas:
   1. Clinical/Operational orientation: 5 weeks of clinical training in skilled nursing, assisted living & rehabilitation, as well as In-services from dietary, spiritual services, therapeutic recreation, nursing, home care, and volunteer departments, and from our President & CEO;
   2. Life-skills training: Students are provided life skills training to improve test-taking ability, communication & computer skills, time management and how to operate in a professional work environment, through Career Resources Inc.’s STRIVE Soft Skills Training;
4. Consistent programming: Weekly, centralized orientations within the same facility as coursework/skills lab for current training, and continuing education for LPN, and then RN school;
5. Mentorship-driven: One-on-one pairing of tenured, active nurses with CNA candidates and individualized support from an RN with an MSN (MS in nursing degree) and 20+ years’ experience;
6. Targeted counseling: Candidates are introduced to Open Doors in Norwalk, a resource for people dealing with poverty and homelessness in the greater Norwalk area, to receive comprehensive case management services, housing needs assessments, childcare, clothing, as well as one-on-one financial coaching and financial literacy through its Financial Opportunity Center.

Waveny established the Kathleen M. Fruin, RN Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) School with these goals:

• Train participants to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), by obtaining a Connecticut Certified Nurse Aide certificate;
• Transition them immediately into Waveny LifeCare Network full-time positions to fill entry level positions (as CNAs) in the dynamic healthcare sector;
• Prepare for career pathway advancement and growth at Waveny that includes Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or a Registered Nurses (RN) positions; and
• Remove “glass ceilings” Our CNA’s have typically been able to progress through our Network, continue their education, and go on to hold key Manager and Director positions.

“Every member of our team plays an essential role in the care of our residents and patients,” said Rebecca Albrecht, Chief Human Resources Officer. “We believe that the investments we are making in the CNA School will help remove barriers to training and education for all those who are attracted to this special career path that lies at the heart of quality health care services. We will continue to nurture this program and the students within it to improve their lives as well as those of our patients.”

Since the launch of the program, 33 students have undertaken our program, and an additional 14 candidates are currently in training. Those that have graduated have been immediately deployed to full-time positions and are making an immediate positive impact in the lives of patients, residents and families. Now employed as productive, thriving Connecticut residents with bright futures, they help Waveny fulfill our mission to fully support economically disadvantaged populations.