The Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, the skilled nursing home in Mancos, Colo., has received Align’s Workplace Excellence Award recognizing its high scores in engagement with its caregiving staff, benefiting not only its team, but also residents and their families.  Align – a noted customer experience and employee engagement advisor and consultant – designs and promotes the use of resources developed to improve senior care. Partnering with skilled nursing organizations to help seniors live rewarding lives, Align creates processes and tools to increase engagement with older populations and those who serve them. The organization’s approach recognizes the need for simple and practical solutions to address complex problems in the senior care community.   Align has as its goal to help participating facilities increase engagement both with their own staff and with the seniors they serve. To further this goal, each year Align presents its Workplace Excellence Awards to caregiving facilities that demonstrate exceptional dedication to workforce engagement.  This year’s winners completed an employee engagement survey and – among the criteria – had at least 80% of their survey participants respond either “Excellent” or “Good” to the statement “Rate us as a place to work.”  “This award means so much to our team,” said facility administrator Ashlee Monarco. “It is a significant achievement as it reflects our commitment to providing a rewarding and empowering workplace.  “Our dedicated team members take great pride in their work, which ultimately creates an environment that benefits everyone – including new and veteran colleagues, residents, and their families,” she added. “We celebrate this honor and thank our staff for all they do.”

The Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, in Mancos, is planning a week-long celebration for National Skilled Nursing Week (NSNCW), May 10-16, 2026. Sponsored by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, the observance recognizes the essential role skilled nursing homes play in their communities by providing specialized care to millions of individuals each year. The 2026 event theme, Moments In Bloom, reflects how simple daily acts of compassion, connection, and teamwork grow into meaningful experiences for residents, their families, and staff, according to the NSNCW developers. Established in 1967, this special week starts each year on Mother's Day weekend. “Our dedicated caregivers pour their hearts into bringing joy and dignity to every resident, each and every day,” said the facility’s Administrator, Ashlee Monarco. “National Skilled Nursing Care Week gives us a chance to celebrate the profound impact of those small, special moments that help residents live life to the fullest, which makes a significant effect on the community.” Throughout the week, The Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center will host a variety of activities designed to celebrate staff, honor residents, and bring the community together through shared experiences. The events include: Wheelchair racesGame showsObstacle courses Themed dress up days with correlating themed food dailyBBQ on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for residents, staff and family

‍About National Skilled Nursing Care Week
‍National Skilled Nursing Care Week recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s elderly and disabled. Established by the American Health Care Association in 1967, the week-long observance starts each year on Mother’s Day and is celebrated through the following Saturday.

The Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the 110-bed skilled nursing facility in Mancos, Colo., is hosting a free Easter celebration for area children and their families.  The celebration will feature a treat-filled egg hunt with a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. The community is invited to attend the event on April 3, from 2 to 3 p.m., rain or shine. It will be held at the facility’s campus at 211 Third Ave. in Mancos. Families planning to participate in the egg hunt are encouraged to bring baskets for each of their children. Refreshments will be provided for everyone at the celebration. “We enjoy bringing the community together for this special Easter event,” said Ashlee Monarco, administrator of The Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. “There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy on the kids’ faces – it lifts everyone’s spirits, from residents to staff to neighbors. Moments like this highlight how a caring community can brighten life for everyone.” The Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is dedicated to being a good neighbor, bringing the community together through fun-filled events all year long. From lively summer picnics and heartfelt charitable drives, to festive trick-or-treat celebrations and holiday light displays – featuring a special visit from Santa – the nursing facility prioritizes opportunities for the community to come together, celebrate and create meaningful memories.