What would a home care leader ask if she were choosing care for her own family? Katie Brooks, Senior Vice President of Home Care at JEVS Care at Home (JCAH), has spent two decades building programs that help people live independently. In this conversation, she shares the questions to ask a home care agency before you decide. She also talks about the common misunderstandings about home care, how JCAH does things differently, and the recent changes she’s most excited about.

1) What drew you to home care leadership, and what’s your path been like getting to SVP?

I’ve always been drawn to work that helps people remain connected to their communities.  My career began in direct service as a case manager, working closely with families navigating the school and social service system. Those experiences taught me that the systems supporting people matter just as much as the services themselves.

Over the last two decades, I’ve led programs across child welfare, family services, community-based supports, and large public-sector initiatives. Along the way, I’ve built expertise in operations, quality improvement, strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational growth.

When I joined JEVS, I was excited by the opportunity to bring those experiences to home care, a field where strong operations directly translate into better outcomes for clients. As Senior Vice President of Home Care, I’m focused on supporting our teams, strengthening quality and compliance, and ensuring we continue to grow while staying true to our mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities.

2) What’s a moment early in your career that changed how you think about caring for people?

Early in my career as a case manager, I learned that the most effective support starts with listening and focusing on the positive.  I often worked with families who faced multiple challenges, and what became clear was that a solution may seem simple but accessing the services was complicated. Improving how we offer services and support through navigating any services to improve outcomes is key.

That experience shaped how I lead today. Whether we’re supporting a family, a participant, or an employee, meaningful care means understanding each person’s goals, strengths, and circumstances. It reinforced my belief that people are the experts in their own lives, and our role is to build systems and services that help them succeed.

“Many people think home care is simply assistance with daily tasks. While those services are incredibly important, home care is really about independence, dignity, and quality of life. It’s what allows people to remain in the homes and communities they know and love.”

-Katie Brooks

3) What do you think people misunderstand about home care, and how does JEVS Care at Home approach it differently?

Many people think home care is simply assistance with daily tasks. While those services are incredibly important, home care is really about independence, dignity, and quality of life. It’s what allows people to remain in the homes and communities they know and love.

At JEVS Care at Home, we focus not only on delivering services but on building relationships, supporting participant choice, and creating systems that help people thrive. We use data to improve performance, invest in quality, and ensure services are responsive to individual needs. Our approach is rooted in mission, accountability, and person-centered care.

4) If a family is comparing home care options right now, what should they be asking, and what would they learn if they asked us?

Families should ask a few key questions:

  • How do you ensure quality and consistency of care?
  • What support is available if needs change over time?
  • How do you communicate with clients and families?
  • How do you support and retain caregivers?
  • How do you help individuals maintain independence and choice?

If they asked those questions at JEVS Care at Home, they would learn that we are deeply committed to quality, responsiveness, and participant-centered service. They would see that we invest in strong operational systems, value our workforce, and continually look for ways to improve the experience for both participants and caregivers. Most importantly, they would learn that our focus is not just on delivering services, but on helping people live the lives they want in their own homes and communities.

“People are the experts in their own lives, and our role is to build systems and services that help them succeed.”

-Katie Brooks

5) What’s a recent win or change at JEVS Care at Home that you’re most excited about?

I’m very excited about our continued focus on using data and collaboration to strengthen both the client and caregiver experience. We’ve worked to bring together insights from operations, recruiting, finance, compliance, and quality so that we can make better decisions and continuously improve how we deliver services.

As we grow, we’re also focused on building a culture that supports teamwork, professional development, and innovation. For me, that’s a win because when employees have the tools, support, and information they need to succeed, participants ultimately receive better service. Creating that connection between mission, people, and performance is what excites me most about the future of JEVS Care at Home.

 

Care Starts with the Right People  

Choosing home care is a big decision, but knowing the people behind the care can make that decision a little easier. At JEVS Care at Home, we’re committed to bringing compassion, consistency, and personalized support to every individual and family we serve.  

Ready to explore care for yourself or someone you love? Tell us a little about what your family needs, and a member of the JEVS Care at Home team will be in touch to answer your questions and help you explore your options.  

Complete this contact form to get started—no pressure or obligation. Just a conversation about what your loved one needs.