What Being a CAC Means to Me
To me, being a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) means having the willingness to help others. It’s my way of giving back what was once given to me.
I remember being a child and watching my mom struggle. Even with the limited skills I had at the time, I always tried to help her however I could. I’ve carried that mindset with me throughout my life, always hoping that one day I’d be the one not only helping my own family but other families too.
I see my work as planting seeds, small acts of support that I hope will grow into something meaningful. I’ve always thought that maybe one day, if my parents ever needed help, someone would care for them the way I try to care for others.
In 2015, my mother became seriously ill. She was so unwell that she barely knew what was going on. I was 18 and didn’t know how to help her get the health insurance she needed. In this fragile state, I called MassHealth and was connected with someone who, to me, was a godsend. He guided me step-by-step through the process of getting my mother the additional coverage she needed. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare, even if it wasn’t in direct patient care.
I began my career in healthcare in 2018 as a Unit Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. As time went on, I wanted to do more for patients and their families. I worked in two different departments before becoming a CAC in 2022 at the Chelsea Health Center. Later, I took a CAC position with The Neighborhood Developers. When my contract there ended, I knew I wanted to continue the work by expanding my knowledge on how CACs came to be and what it takes to keep the Medicaid program going.
That’s when I found Health Care For All. I’m thankful I joined a team of great individuals who strive every day to help people like my mother and like me. In the future, I’d love to explore the advocacy work that HCFA leads. For now, I’m proud to support our community as a CAC and honored to be a part of HCFA’s mission.
Astry Dubon is a HelpLine Counselor on HCFA’s Spanish Line.