Culture of Care: CICOA Honored as a Top Workplace

Every day I come to work, I feel energized to do the work I do on behalf of older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers because I am surrounded by a team who shares that passion for our mission.

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions has been recognized as a top company in Indianapolis, earning the No. 3 spot on the Indy Star’s Top Workplaces 2024 list in the large business category. CICOA also earned the specialty award for Training.

The Top Workplaces awards recognize employers that excel in creating a positive and valued employee experience. The list of companies that merit recognition is determined by a confidential survey process each year, assessing key areas such as feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.

When I joined CICOA four and a half years ago, fostering a culture where people feel valued and appreciated was a key priority. This vision translates directly to the exceptional care we provide to older adults and people with disabilities that we serve, day in and day out.

Team CICOA: The Heart of Our Success

The culture we’ve built here wouldn’t be possible without the supportive and collaborative spirit of Team CICOA. They consistently embody our ICARE values – Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. These values aren’t just words on a wall; they’re woven into the fabric of our daily interactions, fostering strong support for each other and the clients we serve.

What makes CICOA a Top Workplace?

We actively show appreciation for our employees in numerous and ongoing ways. A simple “Good Vibes” note from a colleague can brighten someone’s day, especially in today’s hybrid work environment. Our dedicated Appreciation Committee constantly comes up with creative ways to boost camaraderie – I’m looking forward to the staff Talent Show next month!

From employee feedback, we know that wellbeing is important. As CICOA celebrates its 50th year, our employees initiated the “50 Days of Wellness” campaign. It’s inspiring to see all the small steps that our employees do to take care of their own health and wellbeing, and it’s invigorating to see them support one another on journeys to greater overall health.

As a community-based organization, it’s no surprise that many of our employees are passionate about giving back to their communities. We offer two paid volunteer days a year, and it always warms my heart to see our team members volunteering at food banks, schools, animal shelters and more.

We know that work/life flexibility is crucial. We understand that employees have diverse needs, whether it’s pursuing graduate studies, raising children or grandchildren, providing caregiving support, or simply prioritizing their own health. We offer flexibility to empower employees to achieve a healthy balance between their work and personal lives.

CICOA stands out from other organizations with our culture of innovation. We believe that when diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas are encouraged and valued, it leads to increased creativity and problem-solving. Innovation is not for a few brilliant minds working alone. Instead, it’s a team sport, best played with a diverse group of people, co-creating together. This empowers staff to rise to leadership by contributing their unique talents and perspectives.

Recognized for Excellence in Training

As I mentioned earlier, CICOA was also honored with the Top Workplaces specialty award for Training. This award recognizes a company whose employees gave standout scores for the criteria, “I get the formal training I want for my career.”

This recognition reflects the outstanding work of our dedicated training department, and I couldn’t be prouder of that team. CICOA employees have the resources they need to learn new skills and maintain professional licenses and certifications. Additionally, we have a training program to obtain a Community Health Worker certification, filling an important need in our community.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Team CICOA, this achievement is truly yours.  Your dedication, passion and collaborative spirit make CICOA a workplace I’m incredibly proud to lead. Thank you for everything you do. Let’s continue doing rewarding work for the good of the people we serve.

Tauhric Brown

As President and CEO, Tauhric Brown uses his strategic vision and experience in the elderly and disability service industry to expand CICOA services and collaborative partnerships to better meet the needs of the vulnerable populations we serve. Before joining CICOA, Brown served as the chief operating officer for Senior Services, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich. His career started in the U.S. Army, and then he became a successful owner/operator for a multi-carrier wireless retail company. Inspired by his family and upbringing, he made the switch to the nonprofit world to fulfill his dream of improving the lives of others.