For a summary of recent changes for the general public, click here. 

The CDC has also updated the recommendations for health care workers. To view the updated healthcare infection prevention and control recommendations in response to COVID-19 Vaccination, click here. 

You can also find helpful information about the COVID-19 Vaccine on the CDC website: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

For general information about the vaccine or for help scheduling an appointment to receive the vaccine, call 211. 

State Unable To Meet Federal Rule To Do Routine Tests Of Nursing Home Staff

 

Fake ADA Face Mask Exemption Cards and Flyers — COVID scam alert

 

Iowa Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAPApplication Period Extended to June 30, 2020.

Funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been provided under the recent Cares Act passed by Congress and the deadline for individuals to apply has been extended to June 30, 2020.

Iowa families are facing many challenges as they cope with the COVID-19 virus. Some have lost jobs or had their hours of employment reduced. These circumstances could lead to difficulty in paying their utility bill.

Podcast: Iowans on the front lines battling a global pandemic 

“Nothing defines ESSENTIAL quite like a pandemic.” Direct care workers and child care workers are in the thick of the pandemic right now.

Listen to this podcast, A Deeper Dive, from the Child and Family Policy Center about Iowans on the front lines battling COVID-19 with Iowa CareGivers.

COVID-19: A wake-up call for Iowa nursing home care

The coronavirus has brought important attention to nursing homes and the challenges they face in keeping residents safe and well. Thousands of journalists and citizens from across the country have flooded traditional and social media with reporting and commentary.

Click here to read The Gazette Guest Columnist article by John and Terri Hale.

EveryStep to Open Dedicated Unit for Hospice Patients Who Have COVID-19 - April 27

The EveryStep Hospice COVID-19 Unit is located in the Glazer-Burt Wing at EveryStep’s Bright Kavanagh Center, 3000 Easton Blvd., in Des Moines. The six-room, fully-contained unit will be exclusively available to hospice patients with COVID-19 who need 24/7 care. 

If the organizations or programs you work with serve people who are facing end-of-life illness, are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need 24/7 care, the EveryStep Hospice COVID-19 Unit offers a safe, home-like option in a beautiful setting.

Click here to read more.

Direct Care Workers and Employers Share COVID-19 Concerns

 

On the Frontlines of COVID-19 (December 2020)

Direct Care Worker Survey Results

Employer Survey Results

COVID PPE and Testing Update (Oct. 2020)

Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 11/16/2020)

Employer Survey Results (as of 11/16/2020)

COVID-19 Check In (July 2020)

Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 8.18.20)

Employer Survey Results (as of 8.18.20)

COVID Follow Up

Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 6.15.20)

Employer Survey Results (as of 6.15.20)

COVID-19 Testing and Support

DCW Survey Results (as of 5.20.20)

Employer Survey Results (as of 5.20.20)

Childcare Challenges During COVID-19

Direct Care Worker Survey Results

Employer Survey Results

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Concerns and Other Fears

Direct Care Worker Survey Results

Employer Survey Results

 

FIGHT FOR THE FRONTLINE!

Iowa CareGivers’ (ICs) goal during the COVID-19 pandemic is to fight for the safety and well-being of those on the front lines of direct care and the Iowans of all ages and abilities that you are doing your best to protect.  We’ve reserved this page of our website to provide you with up to date and reliable information.

We also know you are dealing with levels of high anxiety and fear and we’ve created a positive space for you and your supporters to engage in conversation and provide support to each other.

Please join in our Caregiver Conversations on our facebook page, we'd love to hear from you!

LET US NOT FORGET THE FRONT LINE AGAINST COVID-19

Nursing Assistants/Home Care/Hospice Aides, Direct Support Professionals, and Other Direct Care Workers (DCWs) Are Among Those Who Are the Best Defense in Fighting the Spread of COVID-19.

Click here to read Iowa CareGivers’ Response to COVID-19.

 

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)  — STAY INFORMED — RELIABLE RESOURCES

With the current information overload regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we urge you to seek out reliable resources!!  It may be tempting to call your nurse friend to ask for advice, but when public health experts are releasing updated information and guidelines so often… it is important to stay abreast of any updates and take their recommendations seriously in order to adequately protect yourself, your loved ones, your communities, and the people you may provide care or assistance for.  You can help by sharing the resources below to ensure people are receiving more consistent and accurate information.

 

Additional Resource Links

 

SUPPORT AND PROTECT HEALTH CARE WORKERS SO THEY CAN PROTECT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE AND THEIR FAMILIES

 Health care workers (paid and volunteer) in all settings from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes and hospices have greater exposure to COVID-19 and are therefore at more risk of contracting the virus than most.  If those on the frontlines contract the virus those they care for are also at risk.  It is critical that health care workers:

• Receive preference to testing for COVID-19.
• Have first choice to the masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment needed.
• Have access to health care coverage for themselves and their families.  Ten percent (10%) of direct care workers, who earn a median hourly wage of $13.80, have no health care coverage from any source.
• Receive guaranteed sick pay so they are not inclined to work when sick out of financial necessity.
• Are assured that the costs of their preferred child care provider are covered when schools are shut down while they are called to service.

Health care workers are the selfless heroes who have the compassion and capacity to care for those who are ill while working to contain the spread until the threat of COVID-19 passes.  It is vitally important that these essential members of our workforce receive the support they need from all of us during this time and that policy-makers provide the needed resources.

Direct Care Workers May Face Breaking Point

Direct-care workers were already under stress due to low wages and, for most, lack of health insurance. Now, the shortage of personal protective equipment may bring some to a breaking point, guest columnist Di Findley of Iowa CareGivers writes.

Click here to read the article.

 

Emergency Department "Health Passport"

The Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities created the attached form for individuals and families to use when seeking treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. People can use this form to assist health care professionals with the care and treatment of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities in these extreme circumstances.

Click here to print out legal guidance and give it to the hospital along with the "passport" form. Or add a page to the "passport" form that says something along the lines of:

 

When hospitals become strained and contaminated, home-based care is more important than ever

Caregivers could be among the workers who provide oxygen, nutrition, medication and support to people in their homes.

Click here to read The Des Moines Register's Editorial.

 

Advocating for Child Care for Health Care Workers

New study says 20% of Iowa health care workers have to quit to care for their children.
Click here to read the article on kcci.com.

 

Important Information For Those In Direct Care Regarding COVID-19

Important Information For Those In Direct Care Regarding COVID-19.

 

We Are Advocating Relentlessly for Direct Care Workers

Iowa CareGivers is advocating relentlessly for PPE, testing and childcare assistance for direct care workers in order to ensure the safety of those served, their own families and themselves.

Click below to see recent coverage:

We Are Iowa: https://bit.ly/2RmVZaj