Advocacy

 

 

 

My Iowa Caregivers Cup 

The stressors of direct care have

emptied my care cup.

Direct care requires patience, compassion, and

time honored skills to give care in the

daily living activities of others.

I get tired, fatigued, and    

my endurance is in short supply.

I’m thirsty for recognition and support;

for a renewed spirit of knowledge to survive.

I want to continue to love people

and care for them with a joyful spirit.

 I can’t do it by myself.

Iowa CareGivers can refill my empty care cup

with knowledge to strengthen me;

with skills to support me;

with compassion to comfort me;

with peers to empower me.

Iowa CareGivers has replenished my care cup

with enthusiasm and passion,

with wisdom and integrity.

I will drink again from my Iowa CareGivers cup.

It “revivifies” my profession of direct care. 

I give thanks.

 

Fran Mancl, CNA

 

Life-saving direct care workers earn a median hourly wage of $13.80

Des Moines Register Editorial: Iowa caregivers ask Gov. Kim Reynolds and all elected officials to place a priority on Building a Strong Direct Care Workforce.

Click here to read the full article.


Get Involved:

Advocating for change takes people.  But change can’t occur without ACTION!  It takes people who know and live the issues.  It takes people who are willing to get involved and take action.  You can do that today without ever leaving your comfortable chair through Face Book, email, and phone.  Please find ways that you can join the effort in educating the public and legislators about who you are, the importance of what you do, and share the direct care issues that are important to you.  Here are some examples of how others have gotten involved:

The Cindy Chronicle Educating the public and law makers about the need for affordable health care for those who work in direct care. 
Click here

Tracy Hoveland Educating US Senator Tom Harkin About the Importance of Retirement Benefits for those who work in direct car.
Click here

Tony Wells Educating the media about direct care

Fran Mancl Educating the general public about the importance of educational standards and being viewed as a professional. 
Click here

Becky Johnson Educating the general public about the importance of direct care.
Click here

  • Share your story and the direct care issues that are important to you with Iowa CareGivers
  • Write an article for the Iowa CareGivers Hub newsletter
  • Encourage others to share their stories, ideas,  and concerns about direct care issues
  • Start a conversation via social media about important direct care issues
  • Participate in Iowa CareGivers programs and services to learn more about how you can make a difference
  • Enroll in the Iowa CareGivers Leadership program
  • Contact your State Senator and State Representative or your members of Congress
  • Vote!