I am honored to begin a second term as Iowa CareGivers Board Chair and want to express my appreciation to IC staff and board members for all their hard work in 2021. As you may recall, in my message for 2021 I shared that the organization could anticipate equal measures of challenges and opportunities. I’m proud to report that we confronted the challenges and kept focusing on opportunities. We were able to transition our educational programming to on-line from traditional in-person without missing a beat even growing participant numbers given no travel was required. Our support for direct care workers was increased by at minimum monthly updates concerning pandemic issues and identifying resources to aid them both personally and professionally. We shared their stories statewide in hopes of shining a light on and giving recognition to this “essential workforce” and their daily sacrifices. And we provided an even stronger presence in advocating for DCW with local, state, and federal entities regarding specific issues facing the direct care workforce that were magnified during the pandemic.
It seems as we begin 2022, we can anticipate the same challenging landscape that existed in 2021. The Board of Directors has determined that we commence this year with a second “bridge” year. This link will allow us to continue and expand our current efforts. This will also prove a year for us to better understand the “new normal” and how our strategic plans moving forward will continue to maintain the organization’s key pillars of education, recognition, advocacy, and research intended to positively impact all direct care worker, family caregivers and residents of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Maribel Slinde
Board Chair
We are grateful for the board, council, and staff and for all direct care workers!! Success in the areas of advocacy, programs, development, and research was highlighted, but the real highlight of the gathering was the stories shared by Council members about how they and those they assist have been impacted by the pandemic. It was truly an inspirational day and a time of renewed commitment to our Mission: To enhance the care and support of Iowans by providing education, research, recognition, and advocacy for those who provide direct care.
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Elisabeth Buck, Board Vice Chair
President |
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Kim Downs, Board Secretary Retired, Telligen |
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Heather Elammari Indian Hills Community College |
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Scott Hartsook, Attorney Hartsook Law Office |
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Jerry Jenkins, Jr., Board Treasurer Agency Owner, Farmers Insurance Group |
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Jim Knoepfler Vice-President Administration EveryStep Care and Support Services |
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Deb Madison-Levi Affiliates Management Company | Iowa Credit Union League |
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Julie McMahon Retired, Iowa Department of Public Health |
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Jim Miles-Polka, P.E., Client Director Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC |
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Josephine “Jodi” O’Donnell Ames, Iowa |
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Maribel Slinde, Board Chair Retired, WesleyLife Home and Community Services |
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Pat Steele Retired, United Way of Central Iowa |
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Nancy Anderson, Advisor Retired, Aging Resources of Central Iowa |
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Tom Carpenter, Advisor Retired, Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C. |
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Dr. Robert Denson, Advisor President, Des Moines Area Community College |
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Betty Grandquist, Advisor Retired, Iowa Department of Elder Affairs and Iowa Family Caregiver Program |
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Anne Kinzel, Advisor Iowa State University |
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Deanna Lehl, Advisor Retired, Family Nurse Practitioner |
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Ivan Lyddon, Advisor Retired, Iowa Health Foundation |
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Charlotte Nelson, Advisor |
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Shirley Sorenson, Advisor Retired, Des Moines Area Community College |
