In today’s episode, I sit down with Samantha Lawson, President of YHP Cares, a New York State service coordination agency. Samantha and her team help individuals who qualify for nursing-level care remain at home through Medicaid’s waiver program, ensuring they receive the support they need while staying connected to family and community.
Throughout the conversation, Samantha shares her personal journey – from caring for her grandfather as a child to building a career in psychology, counseling, and ultimately founding YHP Cares. She opens up about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of empathy and boundaries in caregiving, and why her core message to every client is simple but powerful: you are not alone.
Timeline Summary
- 00:43 – Introduction and greetings
- 01:15 – What is YHP Cares?
- 02:06 – Samantha’s family background and caregiving roots
- 04:03 – Shifting from marketing to mental health and service coordination
- 05:10 – Samantha’s education and degrees
- 06:14 – Founding YHP Cares and early challenges
- 07:57 – Growing the business and building community connections
- 10:01 – Building a strong team and defining Samantha’s role
- 13:43 – Importance of staff diversity and boundaries with clients
- 17:01 – How clients find YHP Cares through Medicaid and referrals
- 19:53 – The waiver program explained
- 23:07 – Raising awareness and community advocacy
- 23:48 – Awards, recognition, and giving back
- 25:43 – Samantha’s daughter’s perspective and family role modeling
- 29:15 – Personal achievements, awards, and paying it forward
- 31:56 – Client gratitude stories and the power of small gestures
- 37:34 – Key message: “You’re not alone”
- 41:28 – How to contact Samantha and YHP Cares
5 Key Takeaways
- YHP Cares provides case management under New York State’s Medicaid waiver program, helping people who qualify for nursing-level care stay in their homes instead.
- Samantha’s caregiving roots began young, inspired by caring for her grandfather with a severe illness, which later influenced her career path.
- She transitioned from marketing to mental health, earning degrees in psychology and counseling before founding YHP Cares in 2022.
- The business grew quickly, from just two clients in its first months to more than 20 within the year, thanks to strong community ties and advocacy.
- Her philosophy combines empathy with boundaries, ensuring clients feel supported while staff remain protected and professional.
Links & Resources
- Website: https://www.yhpcares.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlawson0607/
- Call Samantha: (631) 357-7223
- Leave The Key Homebuyers: (631) 388-7771
- Leave The Key website: leavethekey.com/seniors
Final Thoughts
If this conversation with Samantha Lawson was as inspiring to you as it was to us, please take a moment to subscribe, review, and share this podcast. This episode with Samantha Lawson highlights how personal experiences can grow into powerful missions. Through YHP Cares, Samantha helps individuals with serious health challenges remain in their communities, supported by compassionate and professional care. Her story underscores resilience, community connection, and the reminder that in even the most difficult times – you are not alone.
