DID YOU KNOW…
There is a national shortage of in-home caregivers. While there are programs at the national, state, and local levels to facilitate the placement of caregivers in the homes of those in need, there are not enough qualified caregivers available. This is where the Caregiver Incentive Project comes in!
WHY THE SHORTAGE?
Currently there just aren’t enough people entering into the job. There is no career path, training or accreditation for in-home caregivers. There are misperceptions about the job, like it’s a family responsibility or it can be considered “elderly babysitting”. The work shifts can be very unstable and the pay is low, with a national median pay around $9.55 per hour (BLS 2016).
Our focus is to reach out to increase the number of in-home caregivers, regardless of academic or career experience. We are increasing the number of in-home caregivers by providing cost free training and financial incentives in the way of scholarships, grants, stipends, and potential student debt repayment matching funds.
START LOCALLY
We work with high schools, colleges, and universities to establish intern programs for students regardless of their chosen program of study. The internship placement further enhances programs of study in fields such as, but not limited to, medical, social work, education, and clergy by providing “real life” experiences prior to entering those career fields. The program provides cost free training for working as an in-home caregiver and incentives in the form of grants and scholarships based on the amount of time an individual works as an in-home caregiver. College students choosing to use their earnings to pay off their student debt may also qualify, upon application, to receive matching funds to be used toward their student debt.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
GIVE A DONATION
We are raising money for scholarships, stipends, and training programs. Every penny helps.
BECOME A CAREGIVER
Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding jobs a person can have. Contact us for more info.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Caregiver incentive program can always use your help to spread the word about our cause.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
STEP 1: INFORMING
We are raising awareness at the local, state, and national level about why the shortage exists, what the public, high schools, colleges, universities and appropriate agencies can do to help eliminate this crisis. Also, letting them know what the Caregiver Incentive Project is doing to address the issue and be part of the solution.
STEP 2: TRAINING
We are establishing a higher standard of training and certification for entry level in-home caregivers by:
- Establishing a career path for those that spend their lives as in-home caregivers.
- Set a standard of ethical behavior expected from caregivers.
- Provide and pay for training and certifications.
STEP 3: INCENTIVIZE
We are informing, encouraging, and inspiring individuals to provide in-home care and teaming up with high schools, colleges and universities so they can be part of the fix by:
- Informing their faculty, employees, and students about this national crisis.
- Promoting and advertising the Caregiver Incentive Project and the potential benefits that students may garner from being involved in the Caregiver Incentive Project.
- Encouraging student participation in solving this crisis.
- Establishing incentives for student participation in being part of the solution.
We are working with retired professionals such as, but not limited to: nurses, teachers, social workers, and first responders to find ways for them to help end this crisis.
OUR INSPIRATION
DOROTHY PAAD
As part of the Moving Mountains Adaptive Program – a non-profit organization in the Upper Peninsula dedicated to providing winter outdoor recreation instruction to those with disabilities — Paad’s inspiring story was represented by a short film commissioned by the organization.
HOW WE ARE USING YOUR DONATION:
The Caregiver Incentive Project is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charity. 100% of your donation goes to putting an end to the national shortage of qualified in-home caregivers in your area. If the national shortage of qualified in-home caregivers is not resolved, it will affect us all.
Meet the Team!
Eric Paad
Eric Paad Founder and President Eric grew up on a dairy farm in Northeastern Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics and a minor in Aviation Business Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Eric served in the U. S. Air Force for 22 years and was awarded the U.S. Air Force...
Sarah R.W. Shell
Sarah R.W. Shell LMSW Advisor and Volunteer For the past sixteen years, Sarah has worked as a clinical social worker with fourteen years in the medical setting. Eleven of those years have been at Michigan Medicine in Children and Women Services. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wayne State University. She has...
Dorothy Paad
Dorothy Paad CIP Spokesperson The inspiration for the Caregiver Incentive Project, Dorothy Paad, joins the CIP team as spokeswoman. Dorothy has completed three years as a student at Northern Michigan University on a modified program. She has appeared in two university productions of Scrooge, taken ballet and jazz classes, and has been a member of...
Ellen Rapp
Ellen Rapp Director Ellen Rapp joins CIP’s team as team leader of Caregiver Action Group, which was created for in-home caregivers to gather and network. She is a student at Northern Michigan University studying social work, has volunteered at Beacon Hospitality House promoting healing and emotional support to others during medical crisis, and has experience...
Kara Vernon
Kara Vernon - Caregiver, Advisor, and Mentor As one of Dorothy’s most memorable friends and caregivers, Kara Vernon is a special person to CIP’s team. Kara is a Northern Michigan University graduate with a Bachelor's degree in management of health and fitness with a minor in dance. During her tenure as a student at NMU,...
Kylie Bunting
Kylie Bunting Marketing Advisor, Caregiver Incentive Project Kylie Bunting, a Marquette native, is the Digital Engagement Architect of Alumni Relations at Northern Michigan University. She supports the expanding and improving alumni engagement and fundraising strategic initiatives, executing an alumni-centric digital engagement plan inclusive of social media, e-newsletters, web, giving platforms, media relations, and more. Prior...
906 Technologies
906 Technologies 906 Technologies is a growing tech company that has been based out of Marquette, MI since 2005. Their highly-motivated team is dedicated to staying on top of the latest in the ever-changing world of technology. They offer a variety of services including: IT Service and Sales, Web & Software Development, Computer Repair, and...
Claudia Werner
Claudia Werner Director Claudia’s professional career spans a period of thirty-four years, twenty of which were spent in educational administration. She served as a teacher of special education, a K-12 special education consultant, a director of special education, a federal projects director, an assistant high school principal, and principal of a large Class A High...
Addie Sanders
Addie Sanders Addie heard about our mission through her physical therapy treatments with Dorothy. Her passion for providing the best care for her patients motivated her to join our CIP team to contribute to the solution for the caregiver shortage. Addie is a native of St. Clair, Michigan and received both her Bachelor of Science...
Erik Bergh
Erik Bergh Program Director Erik Bergh has joined the CIP team, serving as Program Director. A native of Marquette, Erik grew up in downstate Michigan and returned to receive his education degree from NMU. He served as a teacher, coach, and school administrator in an education career that spanned 34 years. After retiring in 2012,...
Ashley Mcgrath
Ashley is a downstate transplant turned honorary Yooper. She came up to Marquette to attend Northern Michigan University and never sees herself leaving. She graduated from NMU in 2014 with a bachelors in Physical Education, minor in music and a passion to help the community. After working in the fitness world and not finding the fire...
Emma Uren
Since the fall of 2020, Emma Grace Uren serves at Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP) in the role of Management and Development Intern. Emma graduated High School as a dual enrolled student from the College of Lake County in 2019. Emma is a current student at Northern Michigan University where she is in the College of...
Abby Poss
Hi, my name is Abby Poss and I have joined the Caregiver Incentive Project team as the Student and Clinical Outreach Coordinator. I'm a current student at Northern Michigan University in the Nursing program. I am also a member of the Student Leader Fellowship Program. I enjoy volunteering and have pursued a career in nursing...
Kaylee Quertermus
I am SO excited to be a part of the CAREGIVER INCENTIVE PROJECT. Michigan made, raised in Portage, but just recently moved back to the mainland, from the smallest island in Hawaii. I grew up with a passion for people, and a heart for helping. I studied special education and Spanish at Western Michigan University,...
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"Throughout this experience there were many unexpected and lasting benefits. Things I have learned that I can utilize the rest of my life in social and work atmospheres"
Kara Vernon In-Home Caregiver & Student
SHOPPING IS DONATING!
All profits made from our online store are used to directly help our cause. They help us feed our scholarship funds and purchase necessary supplies needed by current caregivers in order to provide the best care possible in the homes where they work. Plus you get a sweet shirt!
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