WE HAVE A NEW OFFICE LOCATION!
Iowa CareGivers Association
1231 8th Street #236
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
(general) 515-223-2805
(fax) 515-226-3214
 Sign up with the Iowa CareGivers Resource and Outreach Center (ROC)
A Direct Care Worker's/Direct Care Professional's "Go-To" Place for Personal and Professional Development and Peer Networking. Click here to view the full brochure.
Click here to sign up today or click on the sign up button above!
Join Us February 21, 2012: 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Iowa CareGivers Legislative Reception and Public Forum
The Case for Establishing Educational Standards for the Direct Care Workforce
Click here to register online!
Click here to view the invitation!
SIGN ON NOW!!
Is Your Work Just A Job or A Chosen Profession?
Sign On to Support Establishment of State Board of Direct Care Professionals
A winning strategy for direct care workers, health and long term care employers, consumers, advocates, and our state overall.
If you want the state to recognize Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Care, Hospice, Medication, and other Aides, personal care attendants, direct support professionals, and other direct care staff as professionals…you can help make that happen.
Read a letter to direct care workers, health and long term care employers, family caregivers, consumers, advocates and policy makers from Di Findley, Executive Director, Iowa CareGivers Association. Click here to view the entire letter.
Click here to read the legislation that will enable Iowa Department of Public Health to establish the Board of Direct Care Professionals.
Click here to listen to a webinar about the new education standards and opportunities for your profession.
Ways to Sign On:
Click here to SIGN ON: http://bit.ly/DCPBoardLetter
Call Georgeanna at 515-223-1721 or 888-710-2762
Email us at information@iowacaregivers.org
For general questions about ICA’s support of this effort please call Di Findley at 515-249-0138
For technical questions about the new system or the legislation please call Jennifer Furler, State Public Policy Group, 515-237-0324 or email jfurler@sppg.com
Iowa CareGivers Association Receives Grant From Northwest Area Foundation
Kevin Walker, President, Northwest Area Foundation said, “The demand for direct care workers in Iowa is large and growing. It’s essential that jobs in that sector offer decent wages, good benefits, and career pathways, so that caregivers can live free of poverty and stay in their field for the long run…”
Click here to view the full news release.
Recipients of ICA’s “From The Heart” Recognition During Recent Annual Meeting
ICA's Annual Meeting
Reflecting on 2011 Accomplishments and Challenges and Sharing Hopes for the Future.
Click here to see the Photo Gallery.
 Representative Lisa Heddens (Ames) Receives Heartfelt Thanks From Direct Care Workers
Click here to view the news release.
Senator Jeff Danielson (Waterloo) Receives Heartfelt Thanks From Direct Care Workers
Click here to view the news release.
“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!
 ICA 2011 Annual Conference for Direct Care Workers
Two Direct Care Professionals Receive Honors at ICA Conference. Click here to view the news release.
Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) held its annual statewide educational conference and awards reception on August 29 and 30 at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Before a room full of more than 300 adoring fans, Becky Johnson, Home Health Aide, received the 2011 ICA Leadership award for her leadership role in her profession of direct care, and Caroline Massee was honored with the Margaret Swanson Legacy in Giving award for 38 years of service in the field of direct care. This year’s Hollywood theme “Red Carpet Care” was a fun way to acknowledge the “leading role” that the 50,000 direct care professionals in Iowa play in serving the needs of older Iowans and persons with disabilities.
View the photo gallery of all the Hollywood Stars who attended the ICA Conference!
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.
COME CARE WITH ME
 Senator Danielson Walks in Shoes of Kelly Stokes, CNA
Watch video of their experience here.
Pictured from L to R: Kelly Stokes, Certified Nursing Assistant, Senator Jeff Danielson, and Scott Bonney.
“I don’t think the public understands how important direct care workers are. Kelly is an everyday hero and more people need to know about the value of her work.”
— Senator Danielson
Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds Walks in the Shoes of a Direct Care Worker
Watch video of her experience here.
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Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds provides oral care to Rachel, a vibrant 14 year old with cerebral palsy.
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Representative Lisa Heddens Walks in the Shoes of Direct Care Workers at the Madrid Home
 In describing the day, Heddens said that “I didn’t come here just to watch. I came here to work, and to get a better appreciation for both the rewards and the challenges of the job. I came away with a greater understanding of how difficult the work is, and how valuable these workers are.”
Watch video of her experience here.
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.
NEW 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.
State Selects Six Direct Care Workers/Professionals to Education Review Committee!! Congratulations to ALL!!
Click here to read the full story!
Study Finds Direct Care Workers Are Among Lowest Paid and Benefited
Click here to view Key Findings from the 2010 Iowa Direct Care Worker Wage and Benefit Report. Click here to view the full report. Click here to view the Wage and Benefits Issue Brief.
Direct Care Workers Should Not Lose Certification...
... If They Don't Work For A Couple Of Years!!
Federal Law Must Be Changed!!
If you have a story to share about losing your certification let us know.
Click here to view the brief on Improving Continuing Education Opportunities for Iowa's Direct Care Workforce.
IDPH Direct Care Workforce Legislative Report 2011
Direct Care Worker Advisory Council Releases Report on Direct Care Worker Educational Standards to the Iowa Legislature
Click here to view the report.
"I've heard about these quality assurance dollars and I wonder how they will be used in the facility where I work. Can you help?"
Click here it view the answer to this question by John Hale, ICA Public Policy Consultant.
Direct Care Workforce Initiative!!
Stay Informed about a state effort to improve direct care worker education in Iowa. At long last you may one day receive the professional status you deserve! The Iowa Direct Care Worker Advisory Council would like to build a network of individuals and organizations to keep informed about the Initiative. Click here to join our mailing list. Click here to learn more!
What's So Special About The Iowa CareGivers Association?
The Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) is unique! You may ask what sets us apart from others, and the most important element is this: We are the INDEPENDENT voice for direct care workers. We are able to stay true to our mission and the direct care workers we serve because we are not owned by another organization, association, or agency. Click here to see how some graduates of the ICA Leadership Program describe the ICA.
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