It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Johnston, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Johnston, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Johnston, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Johnston, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Overview Significant flash flooding occurred late on the night of July 2 into the morning of July 3 with another episode late on July 3 into the early morning of July 4 that impacted central Iowa communities, especially within Polk, Story, and Jasper counties. Late on July 2 into the morning of July 3, thunderstorms slowly moved over the same areas of northern Polk and southern Story Counties. Rain totals of 5 to 10 inches were common in these areas with isolated higher amounts. This r...
Overview
| Significant flash flooding occurred late on the night of July 2 into the morning of July 3 with another episode late on July 3 into the early morning of July 4 that impacted central Iowa communities, especially within Polk, Story, and Jasper counties. Late on July 2 into the morning of July 3, thunderstorms slowly moved over the same areas of northern Polk and southern Story Counties. Rain totals of 5 to 10 inches were common in these areas with isolated higher amounts. This rainfall caused flash flooding with the water eventually flowing into area streams. This included Fourmile Creek, which flows into the eastern part of the Des Moines metro and recorded the preliminary second highest crest at Easton Blvd behind the record June 30, 2018 Des Moines flash flood. Another round of heavy rain fell a bit farther north late on July 3 into the morning of July 4 from Jasper through Polk, Story, and Boone counties and up into southern Calhoun and northeastern Carroll counties. In Newton, significant street flooding occurred in uncommon locations from 2 to 4 inches of rain. Some of the highest rainfall totals were around the Ames area where totals of 4 to 7 inches were common with isolated higher amounts. This resulted in flash flooding with significant street flooding occurring in places that normally do not observe street flooding. This rainfall routed into area streams and rivers with river gages in Ames on the Ioway Creek and South Skunk River reaching minor flood stage. |
The featured map combines NOAA MRMS 24 hour rainfall total estimates derived mostly from RADAR with observed values from CoCoRaHS, NWS COOP, and NWS Local Storm Reports. Full feature available here. Courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
Preliminary Local Storm Report...SummaryNational Weather Service Des Moines IA904 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON.....DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS..1143 PM Rain Cambridge 41.90N 93.53W07/02/2026 M4.73 Inch Story IA Public Personal weather station KIACAMBR11 rainfall so far. 1143 PM Rain Maxwell 41.89N 93.40W07/02/2026 M4.98 Inch Story IA Public Personal weather station KIAMAXWE23 rainfall so far. 1145 PM Rain 3 NNW Elkhart 41.83N 93.54W07/02/2026 M7.61 Inch Polk IA Public Personal weather station rainfall so far. 1256 AM Rain 1 NW Ankeny 41.75N 93.62W07/03/2026 M5.65 Inch Polk IA Public 0102 AM Rain 2 N Ankeny 41.77N 93.59W07/03/2026 E5.50 Inch Polk IA Public Via KCCI-TV. 0132 AM Rain 2 NNW Alleman 41.84N 93.62W07/03/2026 M4.98 Inch Polk IA Mesonet Iowa Flood Center gage near NW 2nd St at Alleman. 0148 AM Flash Flood 3 WSW Elkhart 41.78N 93.57W07/03/2026 Polk IA Dept of Highways Iowa DOT is closing I-35 northbound from mile marker 94 to 97. The water is 6-12 inches deep with some reports as high as waist deep. 0210 AM Rain Alleman 41.82N 93.61W07/03/2026 M8.60 Inch Polk IA Broadcast Media 0222 AM Flood 3 SE Alleman 41.79N 93.57W07/03/2026 Polk IA Dept of Highways I-35 southbound exit ramp to NE 126th Avenue East is flooded. 0330 AM Flood 2 ESE Alleman 41.81N 93.58W07/03/2026 Polk IA Public Northeast 22nd flooded between Ankeny and Alleman. Time estimated from report information. 0600 AM Rain 1 N Polk City 41.79N 93.72W07/03/2026 M8.90 Inch Polk IA Cocorahs 24 hour rainfall totals as of 6:00 AM, as reported via cocorahs. 0630 AM Rain Mccallsburg 42.17N 93.39W07/03/2026 M7.20 Inch Story IA Public 24 hour storm event total as of 6:30am. 0645 AM Rain Roland 42.16N 93.50W07/03/2026 E5.09 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter 5.09 inches since late Thursday afternoon. 0730 AM Rain Polk City 41.77N 93.72W07/03/2026 M9.41 Inch Polk IA Cocorahs 24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as reported via Cocorahs. 0750 AM Rain Huxley 41.90N 93.60W07/03/2026 E5.00 Inch Story IA Public As of 8 AM, 24-hour rainfall totals of 5 inches have been reported at several locations. 0800 AM Rain Slater 41.88N 93.68W07/03/2026 M5.50 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter Storm total so far. 0800 AM Rain 1 W Polk City 41.77N 93.73W07/03/2026 M9.67 Inch Polk IA NWS Employee 24 hr rainfall through 8 am on 07/03. 0800 AM Rain 1 WSW Polk City 41.77N 93.73W07/03/2026 M11.00 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as reported via social media. 0836 AM Rain 2 E Ankeny 41.74N 93.57W07/03/2026 M9.27 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hr rainfall as of 836 AM. Reported via personal weather station. 0846 AM Rain Slater 41.88N 93.68W07/03/2026 E5.50 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter 24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as reported via email. 0920 AM Rain Polk City 41.77N 93.72W07/03/2026 M9.00 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 9:00 AM, as reported via social media. 0932 AM Rain 3 NNW Elkhart 41.83N 93.54W07/03/2026 M10.00 Inch Polk IA Public 24-hour rainfall total as of 8:00 AM, as reported via social media. 0947 AM Rain 4 NE Bondurant 41.73N 93.41W07/03/2026 M5.20 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as reported via email. 1000 AM Rain 3 NE Maxwell 41.92N 93.36W07/03/2026 M6.50 Inch Story IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM. 1000 AM Rain Collins 41.90N 93.31W07/03/2026 M8.54 Inch Story IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM. 1000 AM Rain 2 NE Pleasant Hill 41.61N 93.48W07/03/2026 E7.00 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM, as reported via social media. Location estimated. 1010 AM Rain Elkhart 41.79N 93.51W07/03/2026 M12.60 Inch Polk IA Broadcast Media 24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM, as reported via email. 1039 AM Rain 2 NE Granger 41.78N 93.80W07/03/2026 M5.34 Inch Polk IA Cocorahs 24 hour rainfall totals as of 6:30 AM, as reported via Cocorahs. 1130 AM Rain Mitchellville 41.66N 93.36W07/03/2026 M5.50 Inch Polk IA Broadcast Media Storm event total through 11:30 am. 1130 AM Rain Manson 42.53N 94.54W07/03/2026 M5.25 Inch Calhoun IA Broadcast Media Storm event total through 11am. 1200 PM Rain 2 W Fort Dodge 42.51N 94.22W07/03/2026 M4.48 Inch Webster IA Trained Spotter Total through morning. 1221 PM Rain Colfax 41.68N 93.24W07/03/2026 M5.80 Inch Jasper IA Broadcast Media 24-hour storm event total, from a picture sent via Slack.
Preliminary Local Storm Report...SummaryNational Weather Service Des Moines IA907 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON.....DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS..0120 AM Flash Flood Nevada 42.02N 93.45W07/04/2026 Story IA Law Enforcement Vehicle stranded in a couple feet of water. Flash flooding observed in spots that are not known to flood in the area. 0310 AM Flash Flood 1 NE Newton 41.70N 93.03W07/04/2026 Jasper IA Public Street flooded and storm drainage overflowing. 0323 AM Flash Flood 3 WNW Mitchellville 41.68N 93.40W07/04/2026 Polk IA Broadcast Media State radio relayed flooded interstate. 0326 AM Flash Flood 3 ESE Ames 42.00N 93.57W07/04/2026 Story IA Broadcast Media State radio relayed flooded on-ramp. 0334 AM Flash Flood 2 N Ames 42.05N 93.62W07/04/2026 Story IA Public Roads flooded and people stranded. 0556 AM Flash Flood 1 NW Colfax 41.68N 93.25W07/04/2026 Jasper IA Dept of Highways Delayed report. IA 117 closed due to standing water at mile marker 7.6 (between Co Rd F48 and I-80). 0600 AM Flash Flood 3 WNW Maxwell 41.91N 93.46W07/04/2026 Story IA Public Two-day storm rainfall totals reached up to 15 inches, causing widespread flash flooding. Water is covering roadways and has risen up to local homes. Report time is estimated. 0700 AM Rain 2 NNE Ames 42.04N 93.61W07/04/2026 M5.34 Inch Story IA Cocorahs 24 hour rainfall report via Cocorahs. 0743 AM Flood 3 ESE Ames 42.00N 93.57W07/04/2026 Story IA Dept of Highways I-35 northbound exit 111 ramp closed due to water flowing over the road. 0800 AM Rain Ames 42.02N 93.63W07/04/2026 M8.80 Inch Story IA Public 48 hour storm total. Report sent in via social media. 0820 AM Rain Ogden 42.04N 94.03W07/04/2026 M5.00 Inch Boone IA Public 24 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via social media. 0857 AM Rain 1 NW Ames 42.03N 93.64W07/04/2026 M5.10 Inch Story IA Public Rainfall total since midnight. Report sent in via social media. 0900 AM Rain 1 S Ankeny 41.72N 93.60W07/04/2026 M12.00 Inch Polk IA Public 48 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via social media. 0930 AM Rain Lake City 42.27N 94.73W07/04/2026 M3.60 Inch Calhoun IA Public 24-hour rainfall total. Report sent in via social media. 0930 AM Rain Polk City 41.77N 93.72W07/04/2026 E13.50 Inch Polk IA Public 24 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via social media. 1000 AM Rain Johnston 41.67N 93.73W07/04/2026 E8.00 Inch Polk IA Public 48-hour rainfall total. Report sent in via social media. 1200 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Emmetsburg 43.11N 94.68W07/04/2026 Palo Alto IA Emergency Mngr Local EM reports large branches down. 1215 PM Rain Gilbert 42.11N 93.65W07/04/2026 M3.50 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter 24 hour rainfall total. 0101 PM Rain 3 NNW Ames 42.06N 93.64W07/04/2026 M6.26 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter Amount since the evening of 7/3. Observer reported the rain started after 11 pm on 7/3 and mainly fell in 2 hrs. 48-hr rainfall total was 9.11 inches. Reported by meteorology professor at Iowa State University. 0248 PM Rain Garner 43.10N 93.60W07/04/2026 M4.75 Inch Hancock IA Public 0600 PM Rain 4 NW Napier 42.02N 93.77W07/04/2026 M4.20 Inch Boone IA CO-OP Observer 24 hour observations from COOP AMSI4 - Ames 8 WSW.
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National Hire A Veteran Day is almost here!National Hire a Veteran Day, established in 2017, encourages employers nationwide to connect with and hire Veterans. While the official observance is July 25th, Iowa will host its events on July 23rd this year as part of Home Base Iowa’s 2nd Annual National Hire a Veteran Day Career Fair Series.List of Hire a Veteran Day Career Fair Events Across Iowa (July 23, 2026)All events are hosted at Iow...
National Hire a Veteran Day, established in 2017, encourages employers nationwide to connect with and hire Veterans. While the official observance is July 25th, Iowa will host its events on July 23rd this year as part of Home Base Iowa’s 2nd Annual National Hire a Veteran Day Career Fair Series.
All events are hosted at Iowa National Guard Armories.
Cedar RapidsLocation: IANG Armory, 1500 Wright Brothers Blvd W, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Council BluffsLocation: IANG Armory, 2415 E. Kanesville Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Des Moines / Johnston (Camp Dodge)Location: Camp Dodge, Freedom Center, 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fort DodgeLocation: Fort Dodge IANG Armory, 1659 Nelson Ave, Fort Dodge, IA 50501Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mason CityLocation: IANG Armory, 1160 19th St SW, Mason City, IA 50401Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Mt. PleasantLocation: IANG Armory, 1000 S. Walnut St, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
WaterlooLocation: Waterloo IANG Armory, 3106 Airport Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50703Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
We hope to see you there! For additional information or questions, contact Home Base Iowa staff.
Following a five-year career in the United States Marine Corps, Sage Evans faced obstacles during his work search before landing a job with Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Hear his story and how Atlantic Bottling is dedicated to hiring from the Veteran community.
Your local IowaWORKS centers are often the first step to hiring Veterans, supporting both the Veterans themselves and the businesses looking to recruit their talent and skills.
While fully staffed with special education teachers, Johnston Schools is looking for 10 more special education associates due to late enrollment. JOHNSTON, Iowa —Late student enrollment has prompted the Johnston Community School District to add about 10 special education associate openings, highlighting a broader need for special education staff across Iowa.About a month ago, Johnston was set to start the school year fully staffed with special education teachers and associates. The distric...
While fully staffed with special education teachers, Johnston Schools is looking for 10 more special education associates due to late enrollment.
JOHNSTON, Iowa —
Late student enrollment has prompted the Johnston Community School District to add about 10 special education associate openings, highlighting a broader need for special education staff across Iowa.
About a month ago, Johnston was set to start the school year fully staffed with special education teachers and associates. The district remains fully staffed with special education teachers, but has added around 10 special education associate job openings since then due to late enrollment.
“Associates are running the behavior plans,” said Shawna Shanahan, the district’s special education director. “They’re helping with medical needs, also with personal cares and feeding.”
Shanahan lovingly refers to associates as “the glue” of Johnston’s special education program, which serves around 1,000 students. The district employs more than 100 special education teachers and 400 associates.
“We’re super unique because we serve the population that lives at ChildServe,” said Shanahan. “We have a large population of students with intellectual disabilities and also that are medically complex, so that's a large number of our associate need.”
Whether it's inside the classroom or outside, special education associates play an important role. Information and job applications for a special education associate role with the Johnston Community School District can be found here.
“The teachers are doing the teaching, and then our associates will come along and do reteaching,” said Shanahan.
Des Moines Public Schools makes staffing changes days before first day of school
The number of Iowa students with individualized education programs has increased from about 58,000 during the 2015-16 school year to nearly 69,000 last school year, according to numbers listed on the Iowa Department of Education website.
Although Johnston is fully staffed with special education teachers, other districts in Iowa and across the country continue to face shortages. Those shortages can force schools to make changes.
“Schools are either shifting people around or like I said increasing the class sizes,” said Mark McDermott, the University of Iowa’s associate dean for undergraduate education and educator preparation.
The University of Iowa launched a bachelor of arts degree program this fall designed to prepare more special education teachers. Previously, McDermott said if UI students wanted a special education endorsement, they needed to get a graduate degree.
“Students can begin that path as soon as they come to the University of Iowa,” said McDermott. “You can do this as a bachelor’s degree and then be certified right away.”
McDermott said the university has about 1,000 teacher education students, with enrollment in elementary education continuing to increase.
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Shanahan encouraged people considering special education work to focus on the effect they can have on students.
“Some of our students depend on a human to live and help with their feeding and their personal cares. I know that can be scary,” said Shanahan. "We had some new staff just the other day, and I said, 'If you can get past this scared part, you’re upholding somebody’s dignity, which I can’t think of anything bigger or more important in life than to be able to say, "I helped. I helped maintain a young adult or a child’s dignity."'"
In addition to its K-12 special education services, Johnston operates Launch, an integrated program for students ages 18 to 21. Students work on independent living, learning and employment goals outlined in their individualized education programs.
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