​Chicago employers of domestic workers must provide workers, including home care workers, with a written contact beginning January 1, 2022, under a new ordinance enacted by the Chicago City Council. The ordinance applies to businesses and individuals in Chicago that employ “domestic workers,” including persons whose primary duties include housekeeping, nanny services, caregiving, personal care, or home health services. The contract, which must be written in the worker’s primary languages as requested by the worker, must include the wage and the work schedule agreed upon by the employer and the domestic worker.

​In recent weeks, several HCAOA State Chapters’ advocacy efforts have paid off with policy wins and rate increases for home-based care.

​Here’s a quick round-up…

​​Last week, the Illinois Board of Health’s Rules Committee met and voted to approve the draft home service rules, per the IDPH liaison. The draft rules will not advance to the full board for review during its meeting on December 9.

​​Last week, the HCAOA Illinois Chapter announced its 2022 Board of Directors during the state conference held in Naperville. More than 75 people attended the session, which featured an update from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which regulates home care, as well as presentations on the new licensure regulations and the legal impact of the COVID vaccine mandates.

​HCAOA’s Illinois Conference is next week! If you are not on the list, register TODAY for both the pre-conference on November 8 offering three CEUs and required CDP training AND the full conference on November 9, featuring a packed agenda with an update from Rani Harms MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Program Supervisor for Home Services/Home Nursing, Division of Health Care Facilities and Programs at IDPH, and an “All Things COVID” discussion from two perspectives - a medical update from Dr. Steven C. Fox, DO, Chair, HCAOA Medical Advisory Committee, and a labor law update from Aimee Delaney, Hinshaw.

​The HCAOA Illinois State Conference on November 8-9 features a packed agenda, top-notch speakers, and innovative vendors. Reserve your spot today at the special HCAOA member rate before time runs out. But first, refresh your memory about what’s on tap for this great conference…

​Certified Dementia Practitioners in Illinois are required to earn ongoing continuing education credits. The HCAOA Illinois Chapter is offering a pre-conference advanced dementia training module on November 8. This session will be facilitated by Aishling Dalton Kelly, CEO, Aishling Home Care & Aishling Care Academy. All attendees will earn 3 CEUs.   

​Registration is open for the HCAOA Illinois Chapter’s full day, in-person conference on November 9, with a half-day pre-conference session offering three CEUs on November 8. Learn how to navigate and operate successfully in a post-COVID world from top state and national experts, and get together with old friends and new to network and share ideas.

​HCAOA members in the state are invited to attend the Illinois Chapter Conference from November 8-9. In a hot topic session led by Chris Mercer, Director of Market Growth, Hireology, attendees will learn about new ways to attract applicants, get a process in place to manage an influx of candidate activity, and roster the right professionals. This year, healthcare agencies have never felt more pressure to provide quality care, and the demand for caregivers has never been greater. With health and safety challenges, along with the economic downturn related to COVID-19, traditional recruitment methods are simply not working to meet the demand of today’s agencies. ​

​​The HCAOA Illinois State Chapter just scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday, September 21 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. CT. Save your spot today! For even more content, register for the HCAOA Illinois Chapter Conference from November 8-9. This event will offer opportunities to network, earn CEUs and more!