Iowa Better Jobs Better Care (BJBC) Program

Through the joint efforts of the Iowa CareGivers Association, lead agency for the Iowa Better Jobs Better Care Program, and the many organizations that partnered in the Iowa Better Jobs Better Care Coalition, great strides have been made toward maintaining and building a quality stable direct care workforce.  For more information on the accomplishments of the Iowa BJBC Program, please download the 2007 BJBC Summary of Accomplishments.

"The Iowa and American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) through the Institute for the Future of Aging Services at AAHSA are pleased to have supported the Better Jobs Better Care Program.  Our commitment to quality care and services must begin with a stable well trained direct care worker.  It is the heart of all we do."

---Dana Petrowsky, President/CEO, Iowa Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and Iowa BJBC Coalition Co-Chair

"When knowledgeable and committed people sit down to work on issues they know are critical without regard to who gets credit, issues will be resolved.  You can count on it."

---Betty Grandquist, Executive Director, Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Iowa BJBC Coalition Co-Chair

Better Jobs Better Care Program:  Beginnings

In 2003, the Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) took the initiative to partner with a group of organizations and applied to be part of the Better Jobs Better Care Program (BJBC), a $15.5 million research and demonstration program funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The goal of BJBC is to see improvements in the long term care system that increase recruitment and retention of direct care workers and provide a more qualified and stable workforce. After a comprehensive selection process, the Iowa CareGivers Association was awarded a 3 1/2 year grant.

The main objectives of the Iowa Better Jobs Better Care Program have been to:

» Profile the direct care workforce.

» Create, implement and sustain a seamless system that serves the needs of direct care workers, providers and consumers, and ensures a range of qualified caregivers consistent with the continuum of care, including an expansion of the Iowa Nurse Aide Registry.

» Increase awareness about the need for health care coverage for direct care workers, identify options and coordinate a campaign.

» To demonstrate an increase in direct care worker retention through interventions that facilitate workplace culture change, such as a direct care worker mentor program, direct care leadership training, and a person-centered care certification.

Please download the BJBC Program Summary and Iowa BJBC Update to learn more.