Series of 13 Regional Direct Care Workforce 2020 Sessions Concludes in DavenportThe final, in a series of 13 regional conversations with health and long-term care/service employers, community college and workforce development representatives, and other stakeholders, wrapped up in Davenport on April 24. Some 200 participated in the discussions that focused on solutions to recruiting and retaining those who work in direct care. The challenges facing employers, their employees, family caregivers, and others are not unique to Iowa but we may be better equipped than many states to address the issues IF the “Solutions” are implemented. The “Solutions” that surfaced were placed into a working document which were vetted and updated after each series of meetings. Next steps include developing a final report and executive summary that will be shared with all who participated, elected officials, state departments, direct care workers, Iowans in need of services, family caregivers, health and long-term care/service employers, educators, advocates, and many others at the state and national levels. Watch our website for updates on the status of implementation and please share with others who can join us in building a groundswell of support and action!!
Special Thanks to WHBF-Local 4 for covering the Davenport meeting.
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Click here to see the video coverage and read the article.
The events were made possible through a Department of Public Health Contract. Thanks also to all participants, to the many community colleges that co-hosted the meetings throughout the state, and to the various media that took time to cover the events, and shed light on such critical issues.
“We don’t want to be able to tell if Sue, Molly, or Joe did the work, but rather consistently good care.” (participant)
“We must lead by example.” (participant)
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Series of Direct Care Workforce 2020 Sessions Wrap Up at Iowa Valley
“mandated hours…workforce burnout… rural challenges… too few workers…burdensome regulation…too much time for criminal background checks…lack of career advancement opportunities…need for ESL training programs…WalMart paying better than what we can pay…people lose child care and other vital benefits if we pay them more…”
Iowa Valley Community College in Marshalltown hosted the final, in a series of eleven regional Direct Care Workforce 2020 sessions. About 160 health and long-term services and supports (LTSS) providers, community college and workforce development educators and experts have participated in discussions about the looming Direct Care Crisis. A recognition of the challenges was followed by efforts to craft a solutions-focused agenda to ensure systems and strategies needed to attract people to the field of direct care and keep them in it. Those who work in these high demand jobs include certified nursing assistants, home health aides, direct support professionals, and others who provide most of the direct hands-on care and service to Iowans of all ages and abilities. Employers are facing increasing challenges in finding and keeping people.
Solutions ranged from establishing more standardized education across care and support settings to wage enhancements and public awareness. A final “Solutions” document will be prepared and distributed to all who participated, as well as other stakeholders, elected officials, community colleges, advocates, and others. The Solutions, along with other research conducted by Workforce Development will inform public policies and practices in 2017 and well into the future. The events were made possible through an Iowa Department of Public Health Contract #: 5887NW02. We thank the community colleges for co-hosting the events and for their direct participation. For more information, call us at: 515-223-2805.
Click here to view the Solutions document.
Click here for Iowa CareGivers 2017 Issue Priorities
Join us on March 2nd at the “Help Wanted” – themed Day at the State Capitol to educate elected officials about how the workforce crisis impacts Iowans.
Click here to view the photo gallery of the
Marshalltown event.
Health and Long-term Service and Support Employers, Those who work in direct care, and Hawkeye Community College Representatives, and Others Convened to Discuss Challenges and Possible Solutions to Ensuring a Stable Workforce and One That is Prepared to Meet the Growing Demand for Services.
A majority of those present were experiencing difficulties filling job vacancies for direct care workers and licensed nurses.
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Regional conferences bring you programs on a wide range of topics, important resource information, and networking opportunities.
Click here to view the photo gallery from the April 14, 2013 Regional Conference at Des Moines Area Community College – Carroll Campus
Click here to view the photo gallery from the April 18, 2013 Regional Conference at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar.
Click here to view the photo gallery from the April 23, 2013 Regional Conference at Muscatine Community College in Muscatine.
Click here to view the photo gallery from the April 30, 2013 Regional Conference at Southwestern Community College in Creston.
