Health and Fitness : Direct Care Workers, Family Caregivers & Students Invited to State Conference

Iowa CareGivers invites direct care workers and family caregivers to their 31st annual statewide conference themed "Direct Care: A Chorus of Compassion." The event will be held on October 7, 2024, at the FFA Enrichment Center on the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Campus in Ankeny, IA. The conference offers education, encouragement, and networking for this essential workforce as well as family caregivers.

"With the workforce shortages and people leaving the field due to burnout and other challenges, this conference helps keep people in the field. Over 80% of past attendees say their participation increases the likelihood that they will remain in the field of direct care and over 70% said they were more likely to remain with their current employer," said Pam Biklen, Program Director, Iowa CareGivers.

Citing an industry-wide struggle with burnout, Biklen emphasized how important it is to bring direct care workers together with family caregivers and others to share information, encourage self-care, and reinforce the value of their services to the well-being of Iowa citizens. "That's why we continue to encourage and show our appreciation for direct caregivers, and we're thankful to all of our sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors for contributing to this effort," Biklen added.

The conference features an exceptional lineup of inspiring speakers and educators presenting on topics tailored to help participants hone their professional skills, enhance personal growth, self-care, and network with peers. The conference is intended for anyone involved with direct care, including certified nurse aides, home care aides, direct support professionals, hospice aides, patient care technicians, family caregivers, and others who provide direct care in the homes of individuals served, group homes, community-based settings, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and other locations.

This year, high school Health Care Registered Apprenticeship and CNA Program students can attend, thanks to a partnership with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Registered Apprenticeship is an IWD program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction where students benefit from paid training in a chosen field.

For more information and to register visit https://www.iowacaregivers.org/conferences