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Mike and Dallas: A Friendship Built Through Direct Care

- IMPART Stories

In direct care, support often transitions into friendship. For Direct Care Worker Dallas Reim and Mike Hitchcock, this happened quickly, yet quite naturally.   “They kind of almost become like a part of your family,” Mike shared, reflecting on nearly two decades of receiving support and services and forming meaningful connections with direct care workers.  […]

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A Love Story: ‘I met the woman I’m going to marry’

- IMPART Stories

Dan and Jennifer Digmann’s love story is one of resilience, devotion, and the power of direct care. Their journey together is deeply intertwined with their experiences living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. Dan was diagnosed with MS on Valentine’s Day in 2000. Initially, he managed the relapsing-remitting […]

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Training Center Launches in West Michigan, Supporting Critical Workforce Needs

- News Releases

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) recently unveiled its new community training lab, marking a significant step in addressing the growing challenges faced by direct care workforce across the state. Located in Grand Rapids, the center is dedicated to equipping caregivers with essential skills and support, addressing Michigan’s critical shortage of direct care […]

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How Grant Funding Helps Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation Grow the Brain Injury Community

- Media Coverage

Like many neuro rehabilitation programs, in recent years the combination of the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic, funding changes, and staffing challenges presented many obstacles for Michigan-based Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation.Despite those obstacles, providing excellent education and training to support staff recruitment

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Lunden Home featuring smart tech opens near Grand Rapids

- News Releases

Providing solutions for the shortage of direct care workers is a work in process. But an exciting new option exists that leverages technology so that some Direct Care Worker /Direct Support Professional (DCW/DSP) tasks can be performed remotely, making it possible for the individuals they support to have increased access to services. Lunden Home in Kentwood […]

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Mini-Grants in Action: 39 Direct Care Workers Attend Conference To Expand Specialized Brain Injury Training.

- Direct Care Highlights IMPART Stories

As one of the few post-acute brain injury programs in West Michigan, Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation has received referrals for cases it cannot currently support. However, with additional staff training and equipment, the program could expand its offerings. Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation is a community-based brain injury rehabilitation provider serving the Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and […]

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MSU leads collective effort to strengthen Michigan’s direct care workforce

- Direct Care Highlights IMPART Stories

Armed with a recent $25 million grant, Michigan State University is spearheading an ambitious initiative to address the severe shortage of direct care workers who provide health care support for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

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Michigan’s Direct Care Workers Convene at MSU to Shape Future Standards

- Direct Care Highlights IMPART Stories

Direct Care Workers (DCWs) from across Michigan convened at East Lansing’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center to spearhead the development of a new credentialing exam pivotal to their field. Hosted by IMPART Alliance in partnership with WorkCred, the gathering aimed to enhance training protocols and ensure DCWs possess indispensable skills for their roles. Throughout the week, […]

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