ICA Policy Issues
The Iowa Legislative Session for 2010 Is Over — What Happened & What Does It Mean for Direct Care Workers?
Click here to view the Summary Report.
Iowa Blizzard didn't stop Direct Care Workers!
by John Hale, ICA Public Policy Consultant
That was the motto for the day on February 15, 2010 as 45 direct care workers and their supporters participated in the Iowa Caregivers Association’s annual Direct Care Worker Day at the State Capitol. Blizzard-like conditions had occurred the night before making for hazardous travel conditions on the morning of the 15th. It was, as one person described – “scary.” Yet, 45 of the 70 who had pre-registered were able to attend and made the day a tremendous success.
The day featured a legislative briefing in the morning led by John Hale, the Association’s Public Policy Consultant. John discussed the theme for the day – Iowa’s growing “Care Gap” – and walked through what the attendees should do and expect during their afternoon at the Capitol. Senator Jack Hatch (Des Moines) spoke to the group about the importance of building a relationship with their legislators.
Becky Johnson, DCW, said, “We had a great talk with our Senator about the ‘Care Gap’ in Iowa. Senator Amanda Ragan was very cordial and took great interest in what we had to say. This experience was awesome and well-received. Senator Ragan made us feel very comfortable, which gave us the confidence to voice to her our concerns. This is my 2nd visit to the capitol, and since then I have been to local forums, sent e-mails, and am friends on face book with Senator Ragan. I feel that I actually have a good relationship with her.”
Cindy Ramer, a member of ICA DCW Leadership Council has participated in most of the DCW Days at the State Capitol. She said, “I was pleased to be able to talk with both my representative and senator. Representative Wenthe had a picture taken of him and I and is sending it to my local newspapers. Both he and Senator Heckroth understand what the "Care Gap" means and agree to continue to work for legislation that will improve those problems. They both would also be willing to do a "Come Care with Me Day" at my workplace. Each time that I contact them they show interest in the needs that other direct care staff and I share. I have learned that by continuing to communicate with them they remember me and what my needs are, and they show an honest effort to help in meeting them by keeping me informed of the legislation they are working on, by emailing me their newsletters and notifying me of local listening posts. Therefore, I can respond on weather I feel it is good or not. Every year these events get bigger and better!”
The day was not just about the quantity of conversations that occurred. The thing that impressed me was the quality of the conversations. A lot of education of legislators occurred about the duties of direct care workers, the distinctions between the jobs of nurses and direct care staff, the fact that direct care jobs exist in locations other than nursing and assisted living facilities, etc. Many legislators made the time to really listen and engage the workers in conversation. That made the day particularly valuable.
The 2010 day at the Capitol was the 5th such day sponsored by the Iowa CareGivers Association. The Association’s Leadership Council, a group of 15 Direct Care Workers, who help guide the Association’s work, has already begun the process of looking at the day and identifying how it can be improved for next year.
Click here to view more pictures from the event.
2010 Policy Brochure
Click here to view the 2010 Policy brochure.
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