Des Moines, February 29, 2012–AARP called on the Iowa Legislature to professionalize Iowa's largest workforce - Direct Care Workers, asking the question, "Is Iowa Prepared to Care?" for our rapidly aging population during a news conference this morning at the Iowa Statehouse.

AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern urged Iowa's lawmakers to take action and pass Senate File 2298, a bill to boost professionalism among direct care workers by establishing core state standards for training and create career pathways for advance and specialization, and creates a Board to oversee these professional standards.  "AARP is pleased and proud to champion this effort to professionalize this workforce," said Sovern.

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.

AARP Iowa State President Tony Vola addressed how this legislation will meet the needs and expectations of the more than 375,000 AARP members in Iowa for quality care.  "It is interesting to note that seven years ago, 8 out of 10 AARP Iowans surveyed said it is important for Iowa to certify direct care workers, and about a quarter of them said they think these workers are already licensed.  This bill provides a great platform for training; it provides an entry for people who want to get into the profession; it provides a great acknowledgement for those who are currently in the profession, and most important, it's just the right thing to do," said Vola.

AARP volunteer Ken Crouchman of Clive whose parents are live in assisted living facilities, said staff turnover is a real concern for his family and his parents' quality of care.  "I see the toll that this ever-changing parade of caregivers takes on my parents, and I feel the recommendations of Iowa's Direct Care Workers will help improve their situation.  I believe Senate File 2298 will go a long way to elevate the profession and better serve Iowa's long-term care needs.

Iowa's direct care workers have taken the lead in attempting to address the challenges of turnover and quality assurance by spending the past two years developing the recommendations proposed by Senate File 2298, a groundbreaking approach unlike any other state.

Iowa Caregivers Association Public Policy Consultant John Hale said, "Senate File 2298 puts us on the path to providing the quality of care and services that every Iowan wants for their loved ones and for themselves.  "It's a bill that creates a win-win-win-win: for providers of health and long term care services, for consumers who access those services, for workers who provide the service and for the taxpayers who pay a large portion of the bill.

Senate File 2298 is another example of where Iowa way out in front of the nation.  The work that's being done in Iowa to build a bigger and better direct care workforce, and to enhance the quality of care and services for Iowans, is work that leads the nation," Hale said.

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.

"It's time to act to give Iowa's direct care workers the recognition and professional status they want and deserve, and to create the environment necessary for workers to meet the growing health care needs of our state," said Sovern.  "It is time for the Iowa Legislature to support the recommendations of the Direct Care Worker Task Force and professionalize Direct Care Workers by taking action to pass Senate File 2298."

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.

State Prepared to Offer Assistance in Response to Southern Illinois Tornadoes; Governor Will Survey Damage Today

SPRINGFIELD - February 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield following severe storms and tornadoes that struck Harrisburg and other areas in Southern Illinois early this morning. The Governor also announced plans to visit Harrisburg later today.

"At least six people have lost their lives in the wake of these storms, and our hearts go out to their families and the many others who were injured or suffered a devastating loss," Governor Quinn said. "The state of Illinois is committed to doing everything possible to help these communities respond and recover from this disaster."

Personnel from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and several other state agencies are at the SEOC assessing the impact of the storms and coordinating with local emergency response officials in the affected areas to determine if any state resources are needed for response and recovery from the storms. Although at this point there have been no requests for state assistance, state officials are ready to respond with personnel, equipment and supplies. Assets from fire, law enforcement and emergency management mutual aid organizations have been deployed to assist with response efforts.

IEMA regional personnel were deployed to Harrisburg soon after the storms and representatives from the Illinois State Police, departments of Transportation, Central Management Services, Corrections, Public Health and Natural Resources, along with the American Red Cross, reported to the SEOC soon thereafter.  The SEOC will remain activated as long as necessary.

March 1 marks the beginning of Severe Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois.  IEMA has a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov) that provides information on how to stay safe when severe storms and tornadoes approach.

Ron Paul:

• Never votes for legislation unless it is expressly authorized by the Constitution
• Never raised taxes or voted for bailouts or raising of the debt ceiling
• Will not cut Social Security
• Has received the most support from our troops
• Is the only candidate who wants to gradually reduce federal income tax to ZERO
• Is only one who predicted housing bubble collapse -- 5 years before it happened
• Wants to bring the troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq
• Is only candidate who can beat Obama in November
• Has dangerous foreign policy? Declare war, fight, win, come home! Not so crazy.
• Has plan to eliminate five unconstitutional departments
• Will trim $1 Trillion his first year as President and balance the budget in three years
• Has never flip-flopped (known as 'Dr. No' on the House floor)
• Is only one who would create more Allies for America -- all others create more enemies
• Has delivered over 4,000 babies as a medical doctor and been married 55 years
• Is the only candidate who gives tough love to the USA

Please call or email Chris True if you have questions about Ron Paul or would like to volunteer to help Ron Paul win in Illinois.

Contact information:

Chris True
ctrue@mymail.bhc.edu

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - February 28, 2012 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members are pleased to see Iowa lawmakers show support for Iowa's family farmers and securing our food supply by passing the Agricultural Production Facility Fraud bill.  The bipartisan Senate version of House File 589 would make it a crime for individuals to fraudulently gain access to a farm with the intent to cause harm.

"It's about misrepresentation of character," said IFBF President and Milo livestock farmer Craig Hill. "In a post 9/11 world, transparency is important for farmers and consumers alike. Responsible farmers take good care of their land and livestock and want to employ honest, hardworking people that have the welfare of their livestock as their top priority," said Hill.

The revised HF 589 creates new penalties for those who make false statements to gain access to a farm, or misrepresent themselves on an employment application to hide their intended misconduct or purpose.  The person who commits an offense would be charged with a serious misdemeanor on the first conviction and an aggravated misdemeanor on the second. It also penalizes organizations or persons who aid or abet someone who misrepresented facts to gain access to a crop or livestock farm.

"In order to raise and grow the healthiest animals and crops possible for the safest food possible, we need to be assured that hired workers and others entering our farms act ethically and responsibly," Hill said. "With that transparency comes trust that everyone working with our livestock also believes in the compassionate care of our animals; responsible Iowa livestock farmers don't tolerate bad actors who turn a blind eye on generations of established veterinary animal care standards; in fact, we think they should be removed immediately from animal care, if they really have the animal's best interests in mind," said Hill.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online Newsroom page at www.iowafarmbureau.com.