Career Nursing Assistants Network of N. Carolina

DIRECT CARE WORKERS ASSOCIATIONMEETING SUMMARYSeptember 4, 2002�ATTENDANCE: Amy Brookman, Pat Capehart, Duane Currie, Milford Evans, Helen Forte, Jim Jones, Joe Libera, Lynda McDaniel, Lloyd Pattison, Melissa Swartz, Carol Teal, Mary Wright, Susan Harmuth, Donna Holt, Mike Massoglia, Jan Moxley 

��THEME OF THE MEETING�Workgroup members should congratulate themselves and feel good about how far they have come in a relatively short time, but then it�s back to work filling in the details and deciding the best ways to spread word of the Association to more interested workers.�

�SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION�After recounting some of the excitement they felt from the presentation in August by Di Findley of the Iowa Caregivers Association, the workgroup turned its focus to developing strategies for attracting more workers even as it continues to work out the many details to create the Direct Care Workers Association of North Carolina. It was determined that new talking points and interest forms would be prepared based on input from the workgroup. These documents will be presented at the October meeting.��DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSION�The meeting began with a review of recruitment videos, including one from the Iowa Caregivers Association. Members of the workgroup expressed their opinions on what they did and did not like about the videos. This information will be forwarded to the workgroup on public education and recruitment.

�The workgroup also reviewed possible public awareness/recuritment slogans developed by the public education group, and that group will incorporate the feedback into its efforts.�These exercises worked well as an introduction to the afternoon�s discussion of how the Association could attract members. This discussion started with the need to develop new talking points and interest forms for workgroup members to use. The group agreed that a simple statement that embodies the Association mission, followed by additional talking points, would be beneficial. Additionally, there was agreement for a revision of the interest form to include the Association�s mission and an opportunity for input on Association activities and programs. A time line of Association development was also discussed and one will be presented at the next meeting.

�The rest of the afternoon was spent on discussing start-up membership strategies and deciding the types of educational activities that may be effective in recruiting members.

�Start-Up Membership Strategies�Invite people to �get in on the ground floor� of building the Association.

�Build and use a database toSend meeting summaries to workers who express interestAsk and record their input on possible Association programs and activities�Attract possible members byIdentifying complementary groups and associations with mutual interestsSeeking out in-service training opportunitiesCreating an information brochureDirected mailings to eligible groups of workersDevising separate strategies for direct care workers in mental health and developmental disabilities settings

Working cooperatively with providers�Inform and educate people about the Association byDeveloping materials that could include bulleted and multipurpose fact sheets aimed specifically to reach providers and other targeted audiences Media relations, including conversations with local reporters and editors��Possible Education Objectives�Courses to enhance and advance caregiving skills, professionalism and workplace interactions. These courses could cover topics such as:CPR, nail care, catheters or other advanced areas for purposes that could include employee advancement and/or re-certification;Job safety issues both personal and work-related, including how to handle or decline an in-home assignment in a dangerous neighborhood;Wellness, nutrition and family issues;Dealing with combative clients or family members;Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, mentoring, empowerment, time management; conflict resolution and cultural awareness; Stress management, bereavement and grief counseling;Professional ethics, standards, service and the law.�Training resources, including partnerships with community colleges, AHEC and similar organizations and agencies�Distance learning options (i.e. video or internet-based)

��Next meetings: October 2, November 6 and December 11