The following is a list of PAS Workforce resources related to Iowa.
The list is provided and maintained by the National
Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce. Each citation contains
an abstract and information about how to obtain the entire version.
Iowa CareGivers Association. (November 30, 2000). Certified nursing assistant recruitment and retention pilot project: Final report. Iowa CareGivers Association.
Abstract:
This report describes and analyzes the results of a CNA recruitment and retention project implemented by the Iowa Caregivers Association. The project was divided into four phases: Needs Assessment, Focus Groups, Facility- and Community-based Interventions, and Evaluation. The project showed that CNA turnover can be reduced through the implementation of programs that respond to CNA needs.
Obtain the Full Version: To order a hard copy of this report, please contact the Iowa Caregivers Association at 1117 Pleasant Street, Suite 221, Des Moines, IA 50309, Phone: (515) 241-8697 Fax: (515) 241-8587
Available at the National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce website: http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/download/DHSreport.pdf
Hill Simonton Bell, LC. (June 2001). Iowa certified nursing assistant wage and benefit survey. Iowa CareGivers Association.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the wage and benefit status of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Iowa. The findings show that 73% of CNAs earn under $10 per hour, and that CNAs who work at not-for-profit nursing homes are more likely to receive benefits than CNAs who work at for-profit nursing homes. The report also finds that increases in wages, overtime pay, benefits, and job satisfaction are critical to CNA retention.
Barrett, Erin. (2002). Training, mentoring and increasing awareness of direct support professionals. Promising Practices in Home and Community Based Services. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Abstract:
The Iowa CareGivers Association created a Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) Recruitment and Retention Project, which established training and mentoring for CNAs. This report summarizes the interventions, implementation, and results of the project. Project interventions included CNA in-service trainings, a CNA mentorship program, and community awareness, and CNA recognition initiatives. Facilities that participated in the project experienced higher job satisfaction and retention rates than CNAs in a control group.
Richardson, Brad and Nancy M. Graf. (December 2002). Evaluation of the certified nurse assistant (CNA) mentor program: Surveys of long term care facility administrators, CNA mentors, and mentees. National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice.
Abstract:
The University of Iowa School of Social Work, National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice (NRCFCP)conducted two surveys to evaluate the Iowa CareGivers Association's CNA Mentoring Program. The empirical evidence suggests that the CNA Mentor program has resulted in positive outcomes: 1) CNAs perceive benefits of enhanced professionalism and increased status of their profession, 2) providers report retaining workers longer, which creates a more stable workforce, and 3) residents and consumers ultimately benefit from increased quality of care.
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 2004). Chart of direct-care workforce activities in Iowa.
Abstract:
This chart describes existing or enacted direct-care workforce initiatives in this state as of March, 2004. The information was collected as part of a national survey of state initiatives on the long-term care direct-care workforce. Additional details about this state may be found in the full report.
Gillespie, Jennifer. (2003). Direct-care worker associations and public authorities. National Academy for State Health Policy, Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Abstract:
States and long-term care consumers, workers, and employers are seeking ways to address the growing demand for a high quality and stable long-term care workforce. Direct-care worker associations and public authorities have emerged to address this issue through outreach, advocacy, support, and training. This issue brief provides a snapshot of associations and public authorities, and includes related website links.
Center for Health Workforce Planning Bureau of Health Care Access. (August 2003). The role of data collection in projecting Iowa's nursing assistive personnel workforce. Iowa Department of Public Health.
Abstract:
This paper addresses the need for comprehensive information about home health aides (HHA) and certified nursing assistants (CNA), and the population served by the nursing assistive workforce in Iowa. It summarizes issues impacting nursing assitive personnel supply and demand, and may be used to promote data collection to support health policy.
The National Conference of State Legislatures. (April 19th, 2004). Better Jobs Better Care: Retaining long-term care workers. State Health Notes.
Abstract:
This article gives an overview of the Better Jobs Better Care Demonstration projects in Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Vermont. The authors specifically address the actions in three of the states: Iowa, North Carolina, and Vermont. The authors note the high turnover rates and problems with retention of direct-care workers across the country, and the interventions that are being explored in these five states through the Better Jobs Better Care project.
Obtain the Full Version: To get a copy of this article, go to: www.statehealthnotes.org. Available on the web: www.ncsl.org/programs/health/bjbc.htm
Center for Health Workforce Planning. (September 2004). Nursing and nursing assistive personnel recruitment and retention, replicating best practices across Iowa. Iowa Department of Public Health.
Abstract:
The Center for Health Workforce Planning funded seven demonstration projects between October 2002 through July 2004 in an effort to identify successful recruitment and retention strategies for nurses and nursing assistive personnel. This report outlines each project identifying their goals, strategies, challenges, and provides contact information for each project.
Abstract:
The registry provides a national survey on nurse aide regestries. The report is meant to serve as a resource for direct-care workers, states, and federal policy makers to help them promote reforms that will enhance the quality of care.
Selzer & Company Inc. (November 2004). Iowa Better Jobs/Better Care direct care worker health insurance feasibility study. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
This report profiles Iowa direct-care workers, with specific emphasis on CNAs as documented by the Iowa Better Jobs Better Care Coalition's recent Wage and Benefits Survey of selected workers. The authors outline a number of policy approaches to offering health insurance to direct-care workers. Their suggestions include; expanding existing government programs for the poor, increasing enrollment in employer-sponsored plans, and promoting statewide efforts to cover the full population of workers.
Iowa CareGivers Association. Iowa's direct care workers wage and benefit fact sheet. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
This fact sheet summerizes the results of a wage and benefit survey conducted by the Iowa CareGivers Association with CNAs and home care workers.
Iowa CareGivers Association. (October 2004). Iowa certified nursing assistant wage and benefit report. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to determine the status of wages and benefits for Iowa's Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). The study builds on the 2001 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Wage and Benefits Study conducted by the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and the Iowa CareGivers Association. To improve wages and benefits for workers, researchers suggest that state legislators expand CNA registries to include additional categories for workers, and communicate the importance of providing affordable healthcare coverage for CNAs to stakeholders.
Iowa CareGivers Association. (October 2004). Iowa home care workers wage and benefit report. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
The purpose of this survey is to determine the status of wage and benefits for Iowa's home care workers. The study builds on the 2001 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Wage and Benefits Study conducted by the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and the Iowa CareGivers Association. To improve wages and benefits for workers, researchers suggest that lawmakers create a policy to include home care workers in the Iowa direct care worker registry, investigate opportunities to recruit more people under the age of 30 for home care work, and inform Iowa policy makers and the general public about the low wages earned by Iowa home care workers.
Silberman, Susan L. Bringing it home: AARP Iowa member opinion on direct care worker quality and long-term care access. AARP.
Abstract:
This report, based on two surveys of 2,187 Iowa AARP members, found that members support improved direct-care worker training, certification and benefits. Respondents overwhelmingly supported state certification of workers in nursing homes (88 percent) and home-care workers (79 percent). 84 percent of home care survey respondents and 79 percent of nursing home survey respondents believe that ''staff people who provide hands-on personal care should have affordable health care insurance coverage.''
Iowa CareGivers Association. (March 2006). Providing health care for direct care workers - A case statement/action plan. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
This statement discusses the need to expand health care insurance for direct-care workers. The report points to the high turnover-related costs incurred by the state, the negative effects to quality of care, as well as the costs that taxpayers pay as a result of overall low insurance rates among Iowans. The report's authors propose a two-pronged strategy of assisting direct-care workers in usage of existing programs and working to secure expanded coverage for all uninsured Iowans.
Iowa CareGivers Association. Real people, real stories: The uninsured and underinsured in Iowa. Iowa Better Jobs Better Care.
Abstract:
This pamphlet discusses the human impact of inadequate health care coverage in the state of Iowa. Approximately 275,000 Iowans have no health insurance coverage at all and thousands more suffer from inadequate coverage. The pamphlet tells the stories of five direct-care workers who lack coverage, in their own words.
Iowa Direct Care Worker Task Force. (December 2006). Iowa Direct Care Worker Task Force: Report and recommendations.
Abstract:
This report to Governor Vilsack examines the current standards for education, training, and certification of direct-care workers in Iowa. The Taskforce makes a series of recommendations to improve the education and training of direct-care workers. The Taskforce also advocates the creation of a governing body within the Iowa Department of Public Health and an expanded registry of direct-care workers.
Folkemer, Donna, and Barbara Coleman. (December 2006). Long-term care reform: Legislative efforts to shift care to the community. National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Abstract:
This policy brief focuses on state legislative initiatives -- particularly those using federal Systems Change grants -- aimed at long-term care reform. It describes state efforts to improve wages and benefits for direct-care workers, increase transition support, improve consumer-directed services, and provide more flexible financing systems for long-term care services. An appendix includes links to selected bills covered in the report.
