Ready, Set, Go!!! Iowa CareGivers "Going the Distance"
 New Dates, New Location.
Mark Your Calendars Now!
Iowa CareGivers Annual Statewide Educational Conference for Direct Care Professionals
Monday, September 23 and Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The Meadows Events and Conference Center
Prairie Meadows
1 Prairie Meadows Drive
Altoona, IA 50009
Iowa CareGivers Annual Conference Theme Announced!
To learn more, click here.
Direct Care Leadership Programs – Only Two More Opportunities REGISTER NOW!
“What I liked most about the program was just being understood”
– a recent leadership graduate
- June 18, 2013 | Mt. Pleasant, IA
- June 25, 2013 | Creston, IA
To view the full schedule and program brochure, click here.
To register for one of these programs, click here.
THE HUB —May/June 2013 Issue Now Available!
Click here to view the full issue!
51 Direct Care Professionals Attend Conference In Carroll
Click here to see the photo gallery.
Congratulations to New Mentor Grads!!
22 Direct Care Professionals graduated from Iowa CareGivers' "A Call to Mentoring" on May 1, 2013. Click here to see the photos and learn more.
 Congratulations to Graduates of the 2013 “A Call to Leadership” Program
Click here to see the photo gallery!
 American Association of University Women — Ames Chapter
Members of the American Association of University Women — Ames Chapter share views on "Iowa's Care Gap — A Women's Issue" with Iowa CareGivers Director, Di Findley
Week-long Series on "Being a Caregiver in Iowa" Powerful and Moving!!!
Click here to listen to the entire series!
Direct Care In The News
IOWA CAN DO MUCH BETTER: Des Moines Sunday Register Opinion Piece. Click here to view the full article.
WHO-TV 13 Nursing Home Feature Talks About Direct Care Staff. Click here to watch the full video.
Reaching 100 Years Old — Something to Celebrate
Direct Care Professionals scurried to welcome, escort, and honor Iowans who reached the 100 year old milestone during a celebration hosted by Governor Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department on Aging.
 Hear How Health Care Reform May Help You!
Click here to see the video of how experts answered direct care workers’ questions during the ICA statewide conference!
Congratulations!
3 Direct Care Professionals Receive Iowa CareGivers Leadership Award
Margaret Swanson Legacy in Giving Award Presented to Lisa Davis for 39 Years of Service in Direct Care.
Lisa, honored for her 39 years of service in the field of direct care, has worked for Luther Park in Des Moines that entire time.
Check Out Upcoming Partner Programs
You may be interested in some upcoming programs that some of our partners are holding. Click here to learn more.
Senator Harkin Hears About Need For Retirement Benefits
"I am a Certified Nursing Assistant…I'm the main bread-winner for my family after my husband was laid off…I don't have health insurance and… I have no retirement benefits other than social security."
 Tracy Hoveland, Certified Nursing Assistant, Mason City, IA during round table discussion with US Senator Tom Harkin
See the full Mason City Gazette article here.
Tracy Hoveland, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who works at a nursing facility in Mason City, Iowa, recently was part of a "roundtable discussion" with United States Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa. The meeting was held in Mason City to discuss Senator Harkin's concerns about those in direct care who do not have access to any retirement or pension benefit other than Social Security. Senator Harkin is proposing to create new retirement options called "USA Accounts" that would help those who currently do not have a private pension offered through their employer or any kind of a 401k plan.
The conversation included a panel of four presenters; a small business owner, a retired worker, a representative of AARP Iowa, and Tracy. Tracy spoke on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of others who work in direct care across the nation and have nothing other than Social Security to rely on in their retirement years.
In her comments, Tracy told Senator Harkin that she appreciated his concerns about the retirement benefits of workers like her, and said that his proposals were a good starting point to deal with the issues.
Senator Harkin thanked Tracy for her comments and spoke with her afterwards to talk in more detail about those who work in direct care, their pay and their benefits.
Approximately 30 members of the public attended the event.
Congratulations to 29 Direct Care Professionals Completing “A Call to Mentoring”
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Future classes will be scheduled.
Iowa's Care Gap
As Iowa's older population increases, the traditional source of new direct care workers (women aged 25-44) is projected to shrink over the next 20 years, leaving Iowa with a shortage of direct care workers. Click here to find out more.
VIDEO: Iowa Braces for a Looming Care Gap: Building a Stable Direct Care Workforce ©2009 ICA.
To view a short version of the video, click here. To see the entire video by segment, click here. To view the full-length 26 minute video, click here.
AARP Interviewed on Iowa Press About Direct Care Worker Educational Standards!
Featured were Kent Sovern, AARP State Director and Nancy LeaMond, Senior Vice President for State and National Policy.
Click here to watch interview.
Iowans With Disabilities In Action And Developmental Disabilities Council Publishes Perspectives On Direct Care Workforce Educational Standards
Click here to read more.
Mason City Forum on Direct Care Workforce Issues
Featured in Globe Gazette
Click here to read the entire article.
 Sen. Harkin Expresses National Need for a Strong Direct-Care Workforce
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a "sense of the Senate" resolution on May 10 expressing a commitment to expanding and supporting a strong direct-care workforce.
Click here to read more.
Did 2012 State Legislature Do Anything to Improve the Lives of Direct Care Workers and the Iowans Served?
Click here to learn more.
Iowa Legislature in National Spotlight on Professionalizing Direct Care Workforce
A budget bill passed by the Iowa Senate last week would support training standards and career paths for the state’s direct-care workforce.
Click here to learn more.
Empowered To Care (Videos)
A Message from Direct Care Workers, Employers, and Consumer Advocates!
State Educational Standards for the Direct Care Workforce ARE Important to Us!
Please click here and take a few minutes to hear what we have to say and view the videos.
“A Call to Mentoring: Mentor Manager Toolkit”©
NEW Online Toolkit for Health and Long Term Care Employers on How to Implement a Successful Peer Mentor Program for Direct Care Staff is NOW AVAILABLE!
 Iowa State
University Football Coach, Paul Rhoads,
Pays Tribute to
Direct Care Workers in a Public Service Announcement!
Pass………it on!!!
Click the Video to view.
Coach Paul Rhoads Public Service Announcement Receives National Attention. Click here to view the article!
Turnover Rate in Direct Care Workforce Costs Iowa Taxpayers and Employers Millions!
A new report from the Iowa Direct Care Workforce Initiative estimates the cost of direct care worker turnover will climb to nearly $150 Million by 2014! Click on the links below to read more.
To learn more about the Direct Care Workforce Initiative click here.
|
