About FirstLight
in Brighton
Why Choose FirstLight Home Care Brighton
At FirstLight Home Care of Brighton, we provide exceptional care so that your loved one has the support they need to enjoy the quality of life they deserve in the place they call home.
We exist to help people have their best day – every day – whatever that means for them. Our team of trusted care professionals in Brighton is passionate about providing personalized care, creating meaningful relationships and making a difference in the lives of others.
Dr. Deborah Moerland, President/Owner
Dr. Deborah Moerland, owner of FirstLight Home Care Greater Lansing, is an educator who has a passion for to teaching and helping others. She has taught high school and online college courses in Educational Technology, Math, and Computer Science. In addition to teaching, she is often a leader in faculty development and has trained online instructors from several online universities. She earned her Ed.D. from Argosy University Online, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.
Deb was inspired to doing something more for the community as she saw more and more people needing help. She was compelled to own a FirstLight Home Care business because of the opportunities to educate others about the options for seniors and others who may need some extra care. “After years spent in an academic setting, I wanted to start a business that continues to fulfill my passion for helping others and makes an important impact in my local community,” explained Deb. “My goal is to improve the quality of life for all our clients and their families.”
Deb enjoys spending time with family and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Her hobbies include spending time with the grandchildren on weekends, going to MSU basketball and football games, and collecting baseball memorabilia. One fun fact about Deb is that she is an avid animal lover and currently has 9 dogs she has rescued from animal shelters and rescues.
Cedric Griffin, M.A. B.A. CFLE. CNA, Vice President
Cedric A. Griffin, MA, C.F.L.E. is a family life professional, who is committed to educating, empowering and equipping single parents with resources, practical assisting, emotional encouragement, and social networking to better their lives and the lives of their children.
Cedric received his BA in Criminal Justice at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Cedric has also received certifications in Health and Human Services from Lansing Community College, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) from Career Quest, and certification in Grant Writing from Spring Arbor University. In March of 2015, Cedric received his Master of Arts Degree in Family Studies from Spring Arbor University making him a Certified Family Life Educator (C.F.L.E.).
Cedric has 2 years in working with children and their families in the Juvenile Detention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1985 Cedric began working as a Shelby County Deputy Sheriff in Shelby County (at night), and taught as a substitute teacher (during the day) in the Memphis City School system. In 2002, Cedric was hired as the Admissions and Discharge Administrator for the Shelby Residential and Vocational Service (SRVS) in Memphis, Tennessee for the severely physical and mentally ill individuals from ages 0 to 22, providing support, housing, education, and health assistance to clients and their families. During this time, Cedric worked very close with upper management and front-line professional of other such facilities. In 2011, Cedric was hired at the Department of Human Services in Eaton County in Protective Services.
In October of 2014, Cedric, a single parent of two successful daughters since 1993, became the Director and CEO of the non-profit organization entitled, SPINS (Single Parents in Need Of Support), translating his experience into a curriculum for change.
In 2011, Cedric successfully started a home care service employing caregivers to go into the homes of people needing assistance with the activity of daily living (ADL’s).
In April of 2018, Cedric used these skills to partner with Dr. Deborah Moerland (Owner) and was appointed to Vice President of FirstLight Home Care.
Marci Brown/Lead Scheduler
Marci Brown is the Head Scheduler and also does billing and accounts receivables. Marci graduated from Laingsburg High School. She later attended Baker College of Owosso for her Associate’s degree in Accounting and completed her externship with Dr. Deborah Moerland at FirstLight Home Care in 2017.
During the externship, Marci had become a caregiver as there were some needs in the field. She ended up phasing through different job roles under FirstLight Home Care and still occasionally provides care to some of our clients to meet their needs.
Marci has 6 children and is happily married to Joey, who also is a caregiver and works for FirstLight Home Care. As Marci was growing up, she went through phases of wanting to help others after her father
fell ill and passed away in 2005. Marci tried working in a different home care setting for those
with mental health issues and then she switched between many jobs until she decided to return to school at Baker College deciding that she would be good at accounting.
Marci did not plan to continue to work for FirstLight Home Care, as it was supposed to be a stepping stone back into working, however Marci decided to stay because of the quality of care that FirstLight Home Care offers their clients.
Leatha Mathews/Care Coordinator- Lansing
Leatha Mathews been with Firstlight Homecare for 4 years now. She started out as a caregiver and was promoted to Care Coordinator. She has a total of 6 years experience in home healthcare.
Prior to that, she ran a dental center for 20 years. Healthcare has become a passion knowing that she can give care and companionship to the elderly.
Her primary responsibility will be coaching, educating, and making sure that our caregivers are equipped with the knowledge to ensure that families do not have to worry about the care that their loved ones will receive.
Jessi Ezell/Care Coordinator- Brighton
Jessi Ezell is our Care Coordinator for Howell/Brighton and surrounding areas. She aspires to educate and train others in the importance of caring for the elderly.
Jessi was born and raised in a small town in Kentucky but decided to move to Michigan this year. She has worked in the medical field for the past five years and has a genuine passion for helping others in any way that she can. She has a deep respect for the elderly and loves hearing all of their life stories.
Outside of work, Jessi enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, and visiting new places in Michigan.
Maria Davies/Administrative Assistant, Hiring Manager
Maria Davies is our Administrative Assistant/Hiring Manager. Maria started working as a caregiver last fall and has recently been promoted to help us in the office. Before working for FirstLight Home Care, she had 5 years of experience as a caregiver. Maria sees caregiving as her calling to serve and really cares deeply for all she works for. She does not look at this position as just a job.
Outside of work, she is very busy caring for her 5 children and husband of 17 years.
Caring for the elderly brings her much satisfaction. I use my job as a tool to teach my kids on how to care for others. She has one 3 year old son who will go to work with her and thinks he is also an employee of FirstLight Home Care. He is learning from his mom how to care for others.
Vision & Mission
At FirstLight Home Care, we envision a world in which all adults may age with comfort, dignity and independence in the place they call home. We exist to help people have their best day, every day. Our mission is to provide compassionate home care so that the families we serve have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are receiving the support they need to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
Core Values
We live these core values every day, without compromise. It is what we believe in above all else as they guide our home care company and team members to help us achieve our mission.
