Congratulations to our December Aide of the Month, Minneta Brockington! Minneta received her Certified Home Health Aide training through Family & Children’s Service (FCS) in 1999. This is Minneta’s second time being named Aide of the Month.

When asked why Minneta chose to become a CHHA she answered, “I’ve been a home health aide for as long as I’ve known myself,” Minneta explained “when I was a little girl, I used to take care of the older people and run to the shops and do things for them. So, I’ve always loved to help older people and then for me to do a good job I had to get a license. The license opened the door for me to come in.”

All CHHAs must successfully complete 76 hours of specialized training, pass a competency evaluation and undergo a criminal background check before becoming certified and licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. CHHAs work under the guidance and direction of a Registered Nurse and must undergo training in personal care skills, including bathing, dressing, shopping, meal preparation, Range of Motion assistance and a variety of other tasks.

Minneta was selected to be Aide of the Month for her long-standing dedication to her clients and the job she does. “I love my job and I love helping people. I want to be doing this job and I’m satisfied doing it.” It is easy to see the pride Minneta has in her job when she talks about it. “The relationships I have with my clients are very good,” she says, “I like to know that when I give them a shower, they are really clean and when I make them meals, they really enjoy it.”

Without Minneta’s assistance, her clients would not be able to manage day-to-day tasks on their own and she is understanding of their situation. “Sometimes we are the only people they see now so we have to bring joy to them. When you go to see them, and they are sad you have to try to work it out and turn it around, so they have joy on their face.” Minneta explained “I cook, I clean, I wash them, I’ll dance to make them happy!”

Minneta’s advice for anyone considering becoming a CHHA is to have a good heart. “It is a very good and rewarding job, but you have to have a good heart with care, compassion and love.”

Thank you, Minneta, for all the care, compassion, and love you show to your clients!