E1: The Care Paradox: Storytelling for Change
Area of Focus: Government Affairs and Advocacy
Content Level: Doer
Across New Hampshire, older adults and persons with disabilities were going without meals, bathing, social contact and, tragically, they were dying alone. The cause of this crisis was a significant caregiver workforce shortage, a direct result of New Hampshire’s underfunded Choices for Independence (CFI) program – caregivers were grossly underpaid. According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (NHFPI), the CFI program had a structural deficit of $153 million from fiscal years 2011 to 2021.
Providers could not recruit and retain workers and cover costs. In response, Ascentria Care Alliance, In-Home Care worked with partner agencies to fund and launch The Care Paradox. The initiative put human faces to the problem and called upon legislators to increase funding for CFI to stabilize the program. With the support of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, New Hampshire Health Care Association, and others, an historic rate increase was passed, stabilizing the CFI program.
In this presentation we will illustrate the power of courageous leadership and advocacy demonstrated through the power of storytelling.
Learning Objectives
- How to plan, fund, launch, and achieve a successful advocacy campaign
- How to create a clear and unifying message across typical and nontypical partners, including providers, media, care recipients, caregivers, philanthropy, legislators, and the system of care
- How to harness the power of voices at the local and state levels and influence policymakers to make unprecedented investments
- How to bring courageous leadership to the advocacy process and remain agile in order to maintain key collaborative partnerships and manage risk
Presenters
Christine Tappan
Chief, Community Services & Advancement
Ascentria Care Alliance
Amy Moore
Director of In-Home Care
Ascentria Care Alliance