Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com April 27, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 3 DESIGN/BUILD SOLUTIONS…ONE SOURCE Only one company can build, power, protect, and maintain the critical systems in virtually every type of facility. We are trusted to manage projects from concept to completion. We are experts in: Design/Build Pre-Construction Services LEED Capabilities 860.871.1111 Toll Free: 800.741.6367 nemsi.com License #'s: E1-104939 • S1-302974 • P1-203519 • F1-10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 MECHANICAL • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • SHEET METAL • BUILDING AUTOMATION • FACILITIES SERVICES FACES OF BUSINESS As CT ages, Gibbs sees opportunity in homecare industry By Stan Simpson A t age two, Derrick Gibbs Jr. wanted to be a doctor. As he got older, he wanted to be a nurse. The desire to serve grew stron- ger as his life evolved. Gibbs performed church missionary work in Puerto Rico at 14; earned certifi- cations to become a lifeguard, medical response techni- cian and a volunteer firefighter. He also worked as an execu- tive with the Boy Scouts. It's no surprise that Gibbs these days runs a business whose goal is to help others in need. CHANGEInc is a Middletown-based compa- ny that provides homecare and behavioral health services to the elderly and mentally ill. When it opened in 2009 there were few employees, basi- cally Gibbs, who served as executive director, and a couple of assistants. Annual revenue was about $70,000. Today, CHANGEInc has a new 3,000-square- foot headquarters on South Main Street. There are 25 full- time employees and about 225 part-timers. Annual revenue is $5 million. Gibbs believes the growth potential could eventually be $20 million. "There are quite a few people in Con- necticut nursing homes who don't meet that level of care — and don't really need to be there,'' said Gibbs, 28, as he talked to the Hartford Business Journal in his office's conference room. "In this particular industry, a lot of nursing homes are closing; some are over occupied." Gibbs said a 2009 study showed there were 7,000 people in Connecticut nursing homes that didn't need to be there. "They could be back home and getting the services at their home. And we've proven that day in and day out,'' he said. The business relies heavily on referrals for elderly residents in need of at-home services, such as meal preparation, gro- cery shopping, doc- tor's appointments, bathing, reminders about taking medi- cine and those who need 24-hour home care. Medicaid, for the most part, pays CHANGEInc for its services. Connecticut has an emerging senior population; services for the elderly are a growth market. Most of Gibbs' 200 clients are women. "I think we're bringing a huge value to the community," he said. "Ninety-five percent of the clients we're serving are individuals on Med- icaid. These are individuals who are over 65 and many times are impoverished. These are people that don't have the means. One of the biggest areas where we are making a difference is with people who have been institutionalized. We are much more cost effective in terms of quality of life." Gibbs — a Hartford native, raised in East Hartford — is a 2008 graduate of Eastern Con- necticut State University, where he majored in business. He also once sold life insurance and copy machines. He believes his diverse background in community service and sales allowed him to apply the skills needed to be a healthcare entrepreneur. As an executive with the Middlesex County Boy Scouts, he learned about organizational structure and leadership. As a salesman, he knew the importance of Continued Stan Simpson Derrick Gibbs Jr. has a diverse background in sales, but he's found a niche providing home and behavioral health care to the elderly and mentally ill. ▶ ▶ ' There are quite a few people in Connecticut nursing homes who don't meet that level of care — and don't really need to be there.' Derrick Gibbs Jr., executive director, CHANGEInc P H O T O | S T E V E L A S C H E V E R

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