Des Moines, April 12, 2012–AARP thanks the Iowa Senate for supporting Iowa's largest workforce -Direct Care Workers, by funding and including language to professionalize Direct Care Workers in the Senate HHS Appropriations Budget, Senate File 2336.

"AARP thanks the members of the Iowa Senate who voted for improving and supporting Iowa's largest skilled workforce so that Iowa is prepared to care," said Kent Sovern, AARP Iowa State Director.

A task force made up of members of Iowa's direct care workers as well as industry providers has spent more than two years developing the recommendations on how to better support Iowa's Direct Care Workers.  SF 2336 establishes core state standards for training, creates career pathways for advancement and specialization, and creates a Board to oversee these professional standards.  Currently, Iowa has professional oversight boards and requires qualitative credentialing for all plumbers, hair stylists, massage therapists and a host of other occupations, but does not require a similar credentialing for all direct care workers.

"This most recent direct care support language passed in the Iowa Senate is the product of extensive negotiations and input from stakeholders in all corners of long term care," said Sovern.  "AARP commends the Iowa Senate for giving Iowa's direct care workers the recognition and professional status they want and deserve, and for insisting upon minimum training standards for paid caregivers for various Iowans and in various long-term settings."

With an estimated 73,000 direct care workers in Iowa, these paid caregivers make up the largest segment of Iowa's workforce.  Moreover, demand for direct care services is high and growing.  Iowa will need an additional 12,000 direct care workers by 2012.  High turnover is a persistent challenge.  This legislation elevates the profession by offering all Iowa's direct care workers portable training and credentials.

AARP hopes the Iowa's Representatives will also support this language and funding to continue to be a national leader in better serving Iowa's long-term care needs.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CARBONDALE - In advance of Tax Day, Lt. Governor Simon will fulfill her promise to release her annual tax returns and financial statements from her senior staff. Simon says making the information public empowers taxpayers to learn if she or her staff hold any conflicts of interest. This is the second consecutive year the Lt. Governor and her staff will make the disclosures.

TIME: 10 a.m. media availability

DATE: Friday, April 13

PLACE: Lt. Governor's office, IDOT District 9 headquarters, 2801 Murphysboro Road, Carbondale

The ninth annual Quad Cities Earth Week Fair is Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL. The Fair is open to the public and admission is free of charge. The first 200 adults through the door receive a gift certificate for a free train ride at Niabi Zoo. The Fair is a celebration of Earth Day (April 22) and educates attendees on environmental issues and ways they can be better stewards of our local environment.

The 2012 Fair showcases exhibitors from various environmental organizations, businesses and local governments. Booths provide hands-on activities, make and take crafts, green giveaways, and fun environmental education for the whole family.

In addition, the Fair features three special workshops appropriate for adults, children and Boy and Girl Scouts. At 10:30 a.m., John Morgan will present "Get Geocaching," a workshop to teach you how to get started with this real-world outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Attendees of this workshop are entered to win a Magellan GPS unit. At 12:30 p.m., Eddy Weiss will present "What on Earth? Climate Change and Severe Weather Safety," a workshop featuring weather preparedness insights and a challenge to change your world. Attendees of this workshop are entered to win a survival kit. At 2:30 p.m., Stan Bousson, a local photographer, will present "Capturing Moments in Nature," a workshop with tips and tricks on taking award-winning wildlife photographs and interesting local venues for nature photography. Attendees of this workshop are entered to win Barska binoculars with a digital zoom camera inside and a Bousson print of a nesting bald eagle. All workshops will be held in North Hall at the QCCA Expo Center.

The 2012 Earth Week Fair is hosted by the Quad Cities Earth Week Coalition and sponsored by the following: Bi-State Region Clean Air Partnership, City of Moline, iLivehere: myhome ourcommunity®, Keep Moline Beautiful, Quad City Conservation Alliance, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency, Scott County Conservation Board, Waste Commission of Scott County, Allied Waste, Alter Metal Recycling, City Carton Recycling, City of Davenport, Iowa American Water, Living Lands & Waters, Midland Davis, Radish magazine, City of Bettendorf, MidAmerican Energy, Niabi Zoo, City of Silvis and Keep Rock Island Beautiful.

For more information about the Earth Week Fair and the Quad Cities Earth Week Coalition, visit www.qcearthweek.org or call 309-788-5912.

###

DES MOINES, IA (04/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Thomas Wolfe, a retired junior high school teacher from Davenport, will receive the Iowa State Education Association's (ISEA's) top honor, the Charles F. Martin Award for Association Leadership. Wolfe will accept the honor Friday, April 13, before a group of nearly 400 educators attending the ISEA Delegate Assembly at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

The Charles F. Martin Award has been presented annually since 1972 to recognize an ISEA member who has made significant contributions to the teaching profession through Association involvement. Named in honor of the late Charles F. Martin, who served as ISEA president in 1945 and then as executive director from 1946 to 1961, the award is given to an educator who embodies the link between the Association's mission and the impact it has in the classroom.

"Tom is truly one of the most committed and compassionate leaders the ISEA has had the privilege of working with," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. Tom spent his professional life dedicated to being the best in his classroom and a leader in his professional association. He has helped shape the face of public education and we will be eternally grateful for the many leaders he inspired. While he is retired today after years in the classroom and working alongside his colleagues strengthening his local association, he can still be found actively promoting public education, the ISEA, and the NEA at all levels," Bern added. "Tom truly embodies the Charles F. Martin award."

The ISEA is a professional association made up of nearly 34,000 educators dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!