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. Our intent is to increase 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
Our initial effort will be to work with high schools, colleges, and universities to establish intern programs for students regardless of their chosen program of study. The internship placement will further enhance 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 will provide 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?
THE PLAN IS TO START LOCALLY
STEP 1: INFORM
We will raise awareness at the local, state and national level about this national crisis.
- Why the shortage exists.
- What the public, high schools, colleges, universities and appropriate agencies can do to help eliminate this crisis.
- What the Caregiver Incentive Project is doing to address this issue and be part of the solution.
STEP 2: TRAINING
We want to establish a higher standard of training and certification for entry level in-home caregivers. We will do this 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 certification.
STEP 3: INCENTIVIZE
We want to inform, encourage, and inspire individuals to provide in-home care and team 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 will work with retired individuals from professions such as, but not limited to: nurses, teachers, social workers, first responders, etc. 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 WILL BE 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 – many as we near the end of our own lives.
WHO WE ARE
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 twenty-two years and was awarded the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Service Medal five times. In 1986 he was selected as the USAF Outstanding Aircraft Maintenance Technician Supervisor of the Year and honored in Washington DC. Prior to retiring from the military in 1998 he served as Superintendent of Process Engineering HQ Air Combat Command at Langley AFB VA. From 1998-2012 he worked in the state of Washington in construction management.
Currently Eric lives with his wife, Alice in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They have two children. Their son, Andrew, is the Program Advisor and Lead Instructor of the Machine Tool Technology and Millwright Apprentice Programs at Alpena Community College and their daughter, Dorothy, is a student at Northern Michigan University. Dorothy lives in an apartment near campus and has hired three in-home caregivers who, along with her parents, provide her care. Dorothy requires care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Dr. Kristi Robinia – Director
Dr. Robinia is the Associate Dean and Director for the School of Nursing at Northern Michigan University. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Masters of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Utah. Dr. Robinia has worked as a Professor of Nursing in Higher Education since 1995 and has a special interest in Population Health. As a Registered Nurse since 1985, she has worked in the areas of Intensive Care, Psychiatric, Home Health, and Medical-Surgical nursing prior to beginning a career in Nursing Education.
ODESSA ADAMS – DIRECTOR
Odessa Adams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biopsychology from the University of California Santa Barbara. She began her career while in college, working as a caregiver in an assisted living community. Odessa has worked in the field of social services for 13 years in various positions supporting senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Odessa lives in Marquette with her husband and young son. They enjoy hiking, camping and NMU hockey games.
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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
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