Care Initiatives is pleased to announce the appointment of two new board members, Mary Jane Carothers and Betsy Rust, as well as the promotion of current board member Denise Strum, to board chair.   

{Des Moines, Iowa, May 17, 2022} – Care Initiatives launches CNA Mentorship Program.

Care Initiatives has launched a 12-location pilot program for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) staff development. The CNA Mentorship Program is designed to give newly-hired CNAs a consistent point of contact from orientation through their initial six months of their employment. The program will include orientation, training, and professional mentoring by an experienced CNA selected by facility leadership to serve as a mentor.

{Des Moines, Iowa, April 8, 2022} – Care Initiatives donates $10,000 to Special Olympics Iowa.

On April 5, 2022, Members of Care Initiatives Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council met with leadership from Special Olympics Iowa to deliver a $10,000 donation in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is observed in March.

On March 4, 2022, Care Initiatives made a $20,000 donation to Doctors Without Borders. This donation was made in hopes of furthering the efforts of providing much-needed healthcare to communities affected by war. 

{Waterloo, Iowa, March 9, 2022} – Care Initiatives donates $10,000 to 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium. 

On March 4, 2022, Members of Care Initiatives DEI Council met with board members of 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium (“BLAC”) to deliver a $10,000 donation in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month.

Care Initiatives launches Leadership Academy for company leaders.

To further develop the organization’s leaders, Care Initiatives has launched its Leadership Academy.  The Leadership Academy is a 12-month program designed to equip leaders with the tools, resources and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving healthcare industry.  The program will consist of in-person and virtual sessions with strategically aligned projects.  Participants will also receive professional coaching to help them reach their professional goals.

On January 27, 2022 Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds awarded $1.4 million in grant funds to 38 Iowa employers and partner organizations.  Care Initiatives was awarded a $50,000 Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Grant through a partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).

Care Initiatives has pledged to match this grant, which means that Care Initiatives will be dedicating $100,000 to educate and support new certified nursing assistants (CNAs) over an 18-month period.  This will allow Care Initiatives to hire and train approximately 80 new CNAs.

On January 8, 2022 Care Initiatives announced its membership with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI).  The healthcare organization will become part of the network of more than 1,500 members who are a unified voice for Iowa businesses. 

On December 3, 2021, Care Initiatives met with board member of Hillcrest Family Services to deliver a $10,000 donation in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  This donation was made to support the mission of Hillcrest Family Services to meet people as they are today, and guide them to where they want and need to be tomorrow.