We understand, and have seen how quality care, compassion and the power of a person’s own resilience contributes to happy, healthy lives at home. Our New Beginning Challenge is our annual call for support from key stakeholders like you. With your support, funds will go directly toward meeting unexpected needs or new opportunities for those who need it most. When a loved one needs help to stay healthy and safe at home, Connecticut Community Care is your starting point. Spark a new beginning in someone’s life today!

 

Meet Alan

Determination is an empty word until you meet Alan Coker. Alan has a history of alcohol and cocaine abuse and was diagnosed with bipolar disease, arthritis, asthma, depression, hepatitus C, insomnia and sustained a hip replacement. Despite these setbacks and challenges, he is thankful for his life today. “I wish I could explain my joy and gratitude a million times in words… I would have to thank you a trillion times!” said Alan.

“We helped get the transition process started for Alan, but it was his determination and persistence that brought him to a happier, more productive place today,” said CCC Care Manager Marta Armata, BSW, MS. Alan transitioned from Touchpoints in Bloomfield after tirelessly advocating for himself along the way. Originally referred to and becoming eligible for the state’s Money Follows Person (MFP) Program, the CCC team suggested Alan may be eligible for CFC (Community First Choice), another state-sponsored plan that offers qualified residents access to personal care attendants and other services and supports through self-direction. The CCC team developed a personalized care plan with Alan and he took it from there. After receiving RAP (rental assistance), he found an apartment and took charge of the transition-to-community process by ensuring all parties involved were on the same page.

“Within 6 months Alan was fully transitioned back into the community mostly due to his own self-determination,” said Marta. Today, he’s managing very well, hiring his own PCAs (personal care attendants), volunteering at Touchpoints, representing Manchester on the North Regional Mental Health Board, and collecting paintings as a new hobby!”

Alan concludes, "You are a special group of people, and do wonderful work that many don’t even realize. The world needs people like you.”