Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Moore-Simon.
Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Anna Moore-Simon. I will begin by telling you that my story is one of trials, tribulations, transitioning, and new beginnings. However, I will do my best to stick to the root of the subject, at hand. First, I will give you a little insight into my background. Next, I will inform you of my initial career and its progression to the end. Last, but not least; I provide details on how I transitioned from my initial career endeavors to my current professionalism. Background Information
I am a native of Dallas, Texas. I am the youngest of three female siblings. I am a 1988 graduate of Wilmer Hutchins High School; WHISD at that time, now Dallas ISD. I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. I am also a member of Mt. Rose Church of Dallas, Tx, under the leadership of Bishop J.D. Thomas. Additionally, I am the former owner/operator of Simple Simon Carpet Care and AD&D Accessories, while currently; I am the President/CEO and Executive Administrator of Genuine Community Care, Inc.
My Initial Career
My initial career began in Electronic Technology, after I graduated from DeVry University in 1992, with an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics (AASE).
Prior to then, I have always had a strong interest in analyzing and troubleshooting, since I was a child, as early as the age of 10. I would take things apart to see what makes it work or put things together, to make it work. Sometimes, I would get in trouble for disassembling objects around the house, because adult family members did not feel that a female child so young should be doing things as such. Moving forward, my attendance at DeVry only enhanced my ability to analyze/troubleshoot, and it gave me a cutting edge over some of my colleagues or co-workers.
Following graduation in 1992, I entered into the electronic field as an assembler, however; as time passed and my skill-set increased even more, and as I moved from company to company; in search of growth; I landed a job as a Quality Control Inspector, at General Instrument. I was in this position for a bit of 3 years. Afterwards, I was promoted to a technician position. Shortly after that, General Instrument merged with Motorola Broad-Band Sector and was eventually exhausted altogether. While at Motorola, I was promoted from Tech I, to Tech II, to Tech III, within a 6-month period, and I was eventually added to the Troubleshoot Team, as one of the leaders of the team.
In 2003, I was a victim of a mass layoff, due the NAFTA Act of 2002, which allowed large companies to send jobs overseas for tax breaks, and Motorola’s Executive Administrators decided to take advantage of the opportunity. This lay-off left me and many others in a tailspin, or in a state of not knowing which direction to turn or what direction to go in. In my case, I looked for employment in every way I could, and no one would consider hiring me, as I was told over and over, “You’re Over-Qualified”. This was a very painful and scary period for me, as I was going through separation/divorce and becoming a newly single parent; and I had a mortgage and two children, who are 15 months apart. I eventually applied for Food Stamps and Medicaid and decided to enroll in University of Phoenix-Dallas Campus, to obtain my Bachelor’s in my downtime, all while receiving my unemployment and using my severance packet to make ends meet.
Once unemployment payments and severance packet were exhausted in the later part of 2003, about December, I tried my hand at seeking electronics positions again. I managed to land a quality control job, at a family-owned electronic company called DFW TEST, and mind you it’s family-owned, and I was not family; therefore, you can imagine how that went, after a period. Also, this was all while I’m in school pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I finished my Bachelor’s in Management in March of 2005. I was then laid-off from DFW Test in June of 2005.
The Transition
Following the layoff from DFW Test, I made the decision to leave the electronic field altogether.
I began seeking out other career options, especially, since I now have my Bachelor’s. I searched and I searched, however; I was still receiving the message that “I was over-qualified”. Out of desperation for employment, I applied to be a substitute teacher with Dallas ISD and was successful with obtaining that position. I was eventually deemed a permanent substitute, as the principal at the school asked if I could work daily, and of course, I agreed. Although I was a permanent substitute teacher, I was still struggling badly to meet my needs, with all the obligations that I was facing: my kids, my mortgage, car note, food, utilities, insurance (life, and vehicle), etc. The pay was just not enough. As a result of insufficient income, I began taking on odd jobs, such as carpet cleaning, math TAKS Test tutoring, assisting college students with essays or homework period, interior painting, and installing entertainment centers, resume writing, etc.; basically, anything to generate legitimate income for me and my family. Also, during this period, I decided to return to school to seek out My Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
Entrepreneurship is another area of interest, since about 14 years old. By this age, I realized that was often being called upon to resolve or complete specific tasks, especially those that required troubleshooting, installation, or assembling, for instance: installing ceiling fans, air conditioner thermostats, car radios, etc. Also, around this time, I viewed school as if I was going to take care of business, and I developed a desire for wearing penny-loafers, button-down or collar shirts, blazers and slacks, and carrying a briefcase. Throughout the years, I have been teased, for most times wearing what some have referred to as “supervisor attire”. Additionally, owning some type of business had been a long-time desire, at this point, and both Simple Simon Carpet Care and AD&D Accessories derived out of employment desperation.
As of January of 2007, I was given an opportunity to work as a Case Manager, with a company called Community Access, Inc. Community Access was an HCS (Home and Community-Based Service)
Provider, which provided community-based services to individuals with intellectual and developmental delay (IDD). This was the break that I needed, a whole different field. I was now working in the field of Psychology or Mental Health; to improve the lives of individuals/families with intellectual disabilities/delays. My service to these families or individuals helped to take my mind off my own situation, as these individuals’ mental and physical conditions were much worse than I could ever imagine. I told myself, “Compared to them, I had no room to complain”. However, I still had some major issues occurring. One, I still did not make enough to cover my mortgage, and two; I was pending the loss of my house, due to non-payment for a year. Either way, I continued to serve, as my spiritual mind had begun to set in. I began strongly studying God’s Word and carrying it in my heart and mind. This enhanced my understanding of the situation I was in. At this point, I felt that I had no one or no way to turn, but to God.
By March 2007, I had completed a Master’s in Business Administration, and as I was becoming settled in my new endeavor, and now receiving income, I contacted my mortgage company to inform them I had a permanent job, as they did not consider substituting a permanent job. The mortgage company reviewed my case and willfully arranged a plan that consisted of me paying $1200.00 for consecutive 3 months, and afterwards, the owed amount would be tacked to the back of the loan, and my mortgage would be brought current. The representative asked for my agreement. I agreed right away, not really being certain if I could make the payments. I had no choice, but to trust God at this point, so I agreed. I then took a part-time job at Dollar Tree, to ensure that I had extra money, and I continued with my odd jobs also.
As 3 months passed, I was able to keep my obligation towards my mortgage, and my owed amount was tacked to the back of my loan, and my mortgage was brought current. Following the situation with my mortgage, I was able to focus more on the service that was being provided to the individuals or families. As a result, I became more knowledgeable and passionate about the business of serving people with intellectual disabilities.
After about a year of service with Community Access, I had decided that this would be the business that I would pursue, and this would be the area where my bachelor’s and my master’s degrees would be applied. I then began to focus on the general business side, as well as the day-to-day operation of the business of the HCS Program. I also began studying the Regulating Guidelines of the HCS Program, which is in the TAC (Texas Access Code) Guidelines: Chapter 9, Sub-Chapter D. The more I studied, the more knowledge and understanding I gained.
Following a year of employment with Community Access, I went on to work for 2 other HCS Providers, gaining more and more knowledge. By June 2011, I had gained enough knowledge in the field and qualified to apply for my own company, so I did. I established my company, Genuine Community Care, Inc in June 2011. It took about a year to complete my application packet, get it approved by Texas Health and Human Service Commission, formally Department of Aging Disability; and receive an invitation to go take the test over the Regulating Guidelines of the HCS Program, in Austin, Tx.
By November 2012, I received an invitation to take the test over The HCS Guidelines. I took my test on November 14th and received passing results. Thereafter, GCC, Inc. became provisionally certified as an HCS Provider, and officially certified by January 2013, with 4 contracts, servicing Dallas and Tarrant County.
There you have it: trials, tribulations, transitioning, and new beginnings. Through it all, I survived, and I thank God for allowing me to establish Genuine Community Care, Inc., as He did. GCC, Inc. is still operating strong today and has the potential to serve up to 9 counties, throughout the state of Texas. I Thank God daily for His Mercy and Grace, and the gift of service He presented me with.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, the road has not been a smooth one, but it became smoother as time passed. This was a totally different field for me, and I am a hands-on type of person. Therefore, as I applied my hands and studied more, my understanding of certain processes became clearer.
Naming the company, structuring the company, and gathering a board of genuine people were some of the struggles in the beginning. I wanted to name the company something that would make the families or individuals feel that they were receiving compassionate service. I wanted to structure the company in a way that it would be protective of my personal endeavors, and gather the appropriate board so that assets would not be tarnished or stolen in any way.
Once I got past issues with the general business side, then; there were struggles with the day-to-day operation side. Those struggles were: obtaining my first client, Billing; in order to pay; and balancing the budget, to ensure that everyone (employees, vendors, IRS, etc.) is happy, in order to stay in business, and last, but not least; Staffing was a major concern, just hiring people, who were qualified and compassionately appropriate for the individuals we serve.
We’ve been impressed with Genuine Community Care, Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Genuine Community Care, Inc. (GCC, Inc) is structured as a 5013c Organization. However, it is an HCS (Home and Community-Based Service) Provider and a Texas Home Living Provider (TxHmL), which means that it is a Medicaid Waiver Program that plans and provides community-based services for individuals with intellectual and Developmental Delay (IDD). GCC, Inc is also contracted with and regulated by Texas Health Human Services Commission. It is also a qualifying program, based on a Primary Diagnosis of IDD, Medicaid and SSI Eligibility, and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)-MR Level Eligibility. GCC, Inc. services Dallas and Tarrant County. However, it does not qualify anyone for our program. Service recipients are qualified via our Local Authorities, Dallas Metrocare Services (Dallas County), and MHMR-Tarrant County.
I am the President/CEO and the Executive Administrator. I serve in whichever capacity that is necessary for the organization, whether its general business or day-to-day program operation (at the group home, at the office, in the field, personal care, Social Security or Medicaid issues), etc.
Our services offer 3 options for housing (group home, own home/family, host home/companion care home), assistance with daily living skills, personal care, assistance with medication administration, community intervention, household chores, assistance with money management, etc. We also offer prepaid burials plans, for those individuals who desire them, especially those with no family involvement.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking is always a good source for obtaining needed services, such as mentoring. In this field of service or this type of business, networking is very necessary, due to the specific needs of the individuals that we serve.
As an HCS Provider, there may be need to contract with Licensed Professionals such as LVNs, RNs, PTs, OTs, Dietician, Behavior Analyst, Speech Therapist, etc., and you may have to contact another provider to gain access to these professionals if you don’t already have that service or individual at hand.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Genuine Community Care, Inc
- Address: 402 W. Wheatland Rd, 160A, Duncanville, Tx 75116
- Office: 469-513-2780
- Fax: 469-513-2780
- Email: gccinc.hcs@gmail.com
Image Credits: Original Feature Photo credit goes to: Quiana Jones of Gemini Photography; while Feature Photo Editing needs to go to Andrea AP
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