Reports

The work of the Iowa CareGivers is based upon a number of surveys and reports that were conducted to gauge the climate of direct care in Iowa. These reports are all Iowa-specific and relate to a Key component of our mission…research.  We also include reports that impact the direct care workforce that have been prepared by other organizations and are indicated as such.

Please note: The contact information for the Iowa CareGivers in many of the following reports may have changed. Please use our updated information for any questions or contact:

Iowa CareGivers
939 Office Park Rd., Suite 332
West Des Moines, IA  50265
Phone:  515-223-2805
Fax:  515-226-3214
information@iowacaregivers.org

Iowa CareGivers: Direct Care Workforce Recommendations (2023)

 

United Way Alice Report for Iowa

ALICE, Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed, places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings, and are one emergency away from falling into poverty.

 

Impact: Steadfast Systemic Change (2021)

The Iowa CareGivers has a long history of success in impacting issues that affect those who work in direct care. The slow and steady steps portrayed in the impact info graphics depict the way to lasting systemic change.

  • Click here to view the infographic.

  • Click here to view the Impact of Direct Care Workforce infographic.

  • Click here to view the Impact of Iowa CareGivers infographic.

 

It is Time to Solve Iowa’s Direct Service Workforce Crisis (2021)

The Case for Strengthening and Stabilizing This Essential Workforce, prepared by The Lewin Group and PHI National 2021.


Environmental Scan of Direct Care Worker Curriculums and Career Pathway Programs Offered by Iowa’s Community Colleges (2021)

(Prepared for Iowa Department of Public Health by Iowa CareGivers July 2021)

Iowa Department of Public Health Releases Iowa Rural Healthcare Workforce Strategic Action Plan (2021)

A Multi-Stakeholder Strategy to Improve Healthcare Workforce

 

Summit Hosted by Iowa Department of Public Health on Direct Care Workforce Sheds Light on Challenges and Solutions (2016)

Discussion on key challenges related to the recruitment and retention of the direct care workforce.  Panelists included Fran Mancl, Certified Nursing Assistant who said, 

“I had to work a second job to supplement my income so I could afford to work in the direct care job that I love.”

Michael Wolnerman, Pharmacist and family caregiver, who stated, 

“Our family had 50 different home care aides and nurses in one year’s time assigned to help my mother before she passed”; read more here 

and Michele Meadors Omaha, who, following a car accident was left quadriplegic said

“I thought my worst nightmare, upon moving to Des Moines, would be transportation and housing, and they were.  But my biggest nightmare was finding people to come into my home to assist me.”   

Other panelists included: Gene Leutzinger, Hawkeye Community College; Dr. Brad Richardson, University of Iowa, NRCFCP; Courtney Greene, Iowa Workforce Development, who commented on a recent report indicating a high number of direct care job vacancies that health and long term care providers are having difficulty filling; and Joyce McDanel, Unity Point in Des Moines; who further commented on the difficulty in finding and keeping both direct care workers and licensed nurses, and Di Findley, Iowa CareGivers, who stressed the need for policies and infrastructure to maintain the training credentials and supply and demand of the direct care workforce and to identify and implement strategies to enhance compensation.

Panel presentations were followed by a discussions involving all participants, some of the leading recommended priorities that surfaced included, wages and compensation and to build upon the work that the Department is already doing.

  • Click here to view the Direct Care Workforce Initiative Summit Report.

 

Issues Haven’t Changed (2013)

 

Issue Briefs (2010)

  • Click here for End of Life Care. A grant partnership between Iowa CareGivers, Des Moines University, Hospice of Central Iowa, and funded by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation has made this brief possible. 

  • Click here for The Need for Data Collection on the Direct Care Workforce

  • Click here for Establishing Educational Standards and a Support System for Iowa’s Direct Care Workforce

  • Click here for Improving Continuing Education Opportunities for Iowa’s Direct Care Workforce  

 

Direct Care Workforce Initiative (2005-2008)

The following reports review the recommendations by a Governor-appointed Direct Care Worker Task Force that met from 2005-2008. The work of the Task Force was then continued by the Direct Care Worker Advisory Council (2008 –).

 

Better Jobs Better Care

The Better Jobs Better Care (BJBC) Program was a national research and demonstration program funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The goal was to see improvements in the long-term care system that increased recruitment and retention of direct care workers and provided a more qualified and stable workforce. Iowa was one of five states to receive this 3 ½ year, $1.3 million demonstration grant. Iowa CareGivers served as lead agency in Iowa. As a part of the BJBC program (2003-2007), several original research studies were conducted that have led or are leading to changes in caregiving work itself or changes in public policy that will enable DCWs to improve their work performance. The findings from the studies serve as a catalyst to many of the ongoing and long-term practice and policy initiatives of the Iowa CareGivers/ROC. To learn more, please review the following reports.

 

Forums (2004)

From time to time, it becomes apparent that a discussion is needed to gather input on current topics revolving around the direct care workforce. Iowa CareGivers has played an important role in bringing various stakeholders together to get their views on the issues, as well as their values in seeking solutions. Please review the reports below for more information.

 

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Needs Assessment and Pilot Interventions (1998)

Iowa CareGivers conducted the first statewide CNA needs assessment survey in 1998 which revealed the top reasons CNA's leave the field to be: short staffing, low wages and poor benefits; inadequate education; and lack of respect. The Iowa CareGivers vision, mission, programs, and the practices and policies are deeply rooted in these survey findings. We are actively responding to the needs expressed by you, as direct care workers.