Brockton Resident Honored with 2024 IMPACT Award
Richard J. (Rick) Alvarnaz recently received the 2024 IMPACT Award. Previously from Raynham, and now a Brockton resident, Rick has been a staff member of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) for 25 years.
The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) Area Agency on Aging presented the 2024 Dan Crane IMPACT Award to Rick Alvarnaz, OCES’ Community Transition Liaison, in a ceremony held on December 4, 2024. The award recognizes an individual who has had a positive impact on the lives of people in our communities.
In 1999, Rick joined OCES, the leading provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, as a Care Manager in the Home Care Department. He later became a program supervisor. Although Rick enjoyed being a part of program management, he realized that he wanted to serve consumers directly. In 2015, Rick began working in OCES’ Transitions Program where he had an opportunity to assist consumers in long-term care move back into the community. Rick accepted this challenging task with limited resources available to meet consumers’ significant needs.
In 2023, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs extended the Transitions Program with a new state program called the Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), and Rick joined.
OCPC’s Ombudsman program collaborates regularly with Rick and CTLP, as they are on-site weekly serving residents in local nursing facilities. Rick’s dedication to the residents he serves is apparent when you see a resident’s excitement about returning to live in the community. Often, a resident’s return home is only possible because of Rick’s tireless efforts.
“Rick has made a huge positive impact on many lives during his 25 years of service at OCES,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “He is tremendously dedicated to helping residents and this award is well-deserved. Congratulations, Rick!”
CTLP supports individuals whose goal is to return to their home from a hospital or nursing facility. To learn more about CTLP, visit https://ocesma.org/programs-services/services-at-home.
For more information about Old Colony Planning Council Area Agency on Aging, visit https://oldcolonyplanning.org/aaa/
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