Hendry County commissioners back letter of support for Safe Harbor Hospice

Safe Harbor Hospice owner and CEO Cathy Versa Smith told the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners on April 22 that her company is applying for a hospice license that would allow it to serve parts of Hendry and Glades counties and that the organization intends to base operations in Hendry County and hire local staff.

The presentation, given during the awards and presentations portion of the meeting, described Safe Harbor as an independently owned hospice that emphasizes hiring and training its own staff, offering bilingual services, and providing expanded bereavement and community trauma response. Safe Harbor said it has support from Hendry Regional Medical Center and an inpatient contract with LaBelle Nursing and Rehab and that it would contribute $30,000 per year to pay room and board in a facility for seniors who need housing at end of life.

The board received details about the applicant's model and timetable: the presenter said the state application window would be decided in mid‑June, that state licensure typically takes three to four months after an award, and that Medicare certification can add roughly three months, yielding an estimated six to eight months before full billing capability following an award.

Commissioners asked about service area, location and staffing. Cathy Versa Smith said Safe Harbor plans to locate an office in Hendry County (LaBelle preferred) and to specialize in home‑based hospice care, using LaBelle Nursing and Rehab as its primary facility if inpatient care is necessary. The presenter also said the organization will provide additional Alzheimer’s and wound‑care training beyond state minimums, will not use agency staff, and will hire locally, including CNAs, RNs and social workers; she said the team includes a licensed clinical social worker dedicated to grief services.

After the presentation Commissioner [name not specified in record] moved for a letter of support for Safe Harbor's application; an unnamed commissioner seconded the motion and the board approved the letter by voice vote. County staff said a signed letter was on hand to be presented to the applicant.

The presenter also said Safe Harbor has gathered more than 300 letters of support from area politicians and community leaders and that the hospice would offer community bereavement services after disasters or violent incidents.

The board did not adopt any regulatory changes or enter into contracts during the presentation; the action recorded was a formal letter of support for the provider's application.