From the Winter 2025 Newsletter
The Importance of Local Engagement: Why Franchises, Systems-Based Agencies and National Companies Need the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care
Originally published in our Winter 2025 Newsletter.
As the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care and the owner of Nash Corp. d.b.a. Right at Home, a statewide franchise of Right at Home, I want to address a critical topic: the importance of franchises, systems-based agencies and national companies actively participating in our association. While many of these organizations bring a wealth of resources and operational expertise, one key area often overlooked is the need for localized regulatory and legislative knowledge, education and advocacy. This is where our association steps in to bridge the gap and ensure that our members are fully equipped to succeed.
Hospitals and long-term care systems, franchises and national organizations in the home care industry typically provide robust corporate training, marketing strategies and operational systems and supports. However, they often fall short in addressing the unique challenges and nuances of state and local regulations and legislation. In Rhode Island, we face constantly evolving labor laws, healthcare regulations and payor system changes that directly impact how home care, home health and hospice services are delivered. Without a clear understanding of these dynamics, these type of providers are at greater risk for noncompliance, operational inefficiencies and missed opportunities to optimize care for patients and clients. Under new public reporting measures, we will be able to learn which companies have deficiencies or are inadvertently deemed to provide substandard care because their administrators are updated properly with the latest information, regulations or policies.
The Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care fills this critical void. Our association serves as the go-to resource for up-to-date federal, state and local regulatory and legislative information, ensuring that our members remain informed and compliant. We work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the home care industry at the state and federal levels, representing the unique needs of Rhode Island’s home care providers and their patients, clients, staff and families.
Participation in our association offers a range of tangible benefits, including:
Localized Expertise: Members gain access to timely information about Rhode Island’s ever-changing labor laws, licensure requirements, and payer policies, allowing them to navigate the complexities of operating in our state with confidence.
Educational Opportunities: Our association provides tailored education programs, workshops, and resources designed specifically for home care providers in Rhode Island. These offerings address the unique challenges we face and equip members with tools to adapt to regulatory shifts and industry trends.
Advocacy for Your Business: Through our proactive engagement with policymakers and regulators, we ensure that your voice is heard. Our advocacy efforts work to protect and enhance the home care industry, enabling our members to focus on delivering quality care while we champion their interests.
Financial Advantages: Membership in the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care positions your agency for financial success. By staying informed and compliant, your business can avoid costly penalties, improve operational efficiency and leverage incentive payment models developed through our collaborative partnerships with commercial insurers.
Franchises, systems-based agencies and national companies that join the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care are not just investing in their own success—they are contributing to the advancement of the entire home care industry in Rhode Island. Together, we can create a stronger, more unified voice that drives positive change and delivers better outcomes for the patients and clients that each of us serve.
I am proud to operate my franchise with the support and assistance from the Rhode Island Partnership for Home. As such, I am a leading voice for our industry and am enabled to speak on behalf of the needs and benefits of our industry. I encourage every franchise, systems-based agency and national company operating in Rhode Island to take full advantage of what our association offers.