The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 18, 2024) – Oklahoma Human Services and their Oklahoma CaregiverCoalition (OK Cares) partners are proud to announce the annual Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference on Thursday, Nov. 7. Titled “The Real MVP,” the conference will focus on the value caregivers bring to their families and communities, and resources and support to ensure their own needs are met as well.
In-person conferences will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Ardmore and McAlester. Doors will open at 9 a.m. A virtual option is also available for caregivers who cannot attend in-person and will begin at 10 a.m. Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is available online at https://okcares.org/. OK Cares may also be reached at 918-493-0604 for any questions or registration assistance.
This conference supports a focus area for Aging Our Way, a ten-year plan for the agency that aims give every older Oklahoman the confidence to live life on their terms. The plan will focus on caregivers, both paid and unpaid, to ensure access to the resources and support needed to provide quality care. As the aging population continues to grow, the need for caregivers will continue to grow as well. Through Aging Our Way, Oklahoma Human Services will show caregivers they are valued in our communities.
“Caregivers play an incredible role in our society, ensuring their loved ones have the support and care they need,” said Jeromy Buchanan, Oklahoma Human Services Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services. “From infants, to older adults, to individuals with disabilities, caregivers may serve across the entirety of a person’s lifespan. This work is important and fulfilling, but we know it is also incredibly hard. This conference is designed to celebrate our caregivers’ selfless service while also giving them access to important resources and some very well-deserved respite. We are incredibly excited to share this time with our state’s caregivers!”
In June 2024, Oklahoma Human Services was one of only eight states to receive a national grant from Community Catalyst and the LeadingAge LTSS Center @ UMass Boston as part of their four-year initiative, “Amplifying the Power of Family Caregiver Voices Project.” The initiative aims to support the 53 million family caregivers in the U.S. who provide daily living assistance to someone living with a chronic health condition, disability or both. Supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), this project is just one part of a national effort to address the unmet needs of caregivers across the country and help implement policy changes recommended by the RAISE National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
Part of the Community Catalyst grant funds will be used to offer transportation stipends for 500 caregivers to attend the 2024 Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference. These stipends will reduce barriers for caregivers to get the resources and information they need to successfully support their loved ones. Additional funds will be used to reach prospective conference attendees in underserved rural areas of the state. Both expenditures help improve awareness of and outreach to family caregivers, the first goal of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
Caregivers attending the conference who need to hire a respite provider may be eligible for a one-time educational voucher valued at $100 for the full day, or $50 for a half day. Caregivers may call 405-271-2710 to apply for the educational voucher.
“Family caregivers are so focused on caring for their loved ones with special health care needs, they often overlook their own personal health and wellness,” said Aietah Stephens, family caregiver and Executive Director of Sooner SUCCESS. “This statewide conference focuses on them. It’s a great opportunity to recharge, remind them their self-care is important and there are resources available to support their unique journey.”
The conference will host several inspiring national and local speakers, including Chris and Nik Nikic, and will include caregiving tips, entertainment and door prizes throughout the day. Additionally, a virtual smart home tour will be hosted by Oklahoma Able Tech at 10 a.m. at all conference locations. Afternoon programming will include virtual breakout rooms with subject matter experts available to answer attendee questions about Developmental Disabilities Services, Medicare, Person Centered Options Counseling and more.
Conference registration and sponsorship opportunities are available on the coalition’s website at https://okcares.org/. Sponsor and vendor registration will close as the sites reach booth capacity. Attendee registrations will close as soon as capacity is reached at each site.
The website also offers a host of resources for caregivers including the Caring Assistance Line at 1-800-211-2116, links to information about the new Caring for Caregivers tax credit, a respite locator, support for vaccination needs, resource directory, support groups and much more!
Again, in-person registration will close as soon as capacity is reached, so attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible at https://okcares.org/.
If you are a caregiver or supporter of caregivers, or your organization wants to join the OK Cares coalition as a partner, please sign-up at https://okcares.org/partnership-form/.
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