The CIP Story begins in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and its ripple effects are felt coast to coast.
The Caregiver Incentive Project, a.k.a. “CIP” is a small non-profit located in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. CIP’s mission is to improve the lives of caregivers and in turn improve the lives of the cared-for. The need for caregivers in Michigan grows every day and with the U.P.’s population, including a higher percentage of seniors, this means the need for caregivers in the U.P. is greater than throughout the rest of the state. With the need growing every day, the mission to improve the caregiving environment in our state is critical.
The CIP story began in the home of Eric and Alice Paad. Parents to Dorothy, a wonderful woman who happens to have cerebral palsy, the Paads have spent decades trying to navigate the caregiving industry. An industry that can be confusing, underrepresented and at times unheard.
Dorothy requires care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Paads made a choice to spend their time opening doors of opportunities for their daughter and to put their time, energy and resources into improving the caregiving industry.
From this desire to give her a full and dignified life came the 501(c)(3) nonprofit today known as the CIP. Today CIP is a small team working to carry on the spirit of the Paads. The team is still led by Eric Paad the founder and President of the organization. While he himself is experiencing the need for caregivers, he chooses to carry on.
Earlier this year, Eric brought together a small group of individuals who are working to improve the number of caregivers in the U.P., the quality of the work they provide and improve community collaboration for the caregiver and the cared-for.
CIP delivers on their mission through caregiver outreach, education and support. CIP’s outreach efforts include sharing what it means to be a caregiver and the difference a caregiver makes between existing and living. Education from CIP includes safe transfers, CPR, caregiver professionalism, the importance of self-care and communication skills. Support from CIP means connections to the right people, organizations, scholarships and or direct financial uplifts and membership in the caregiving community.
The team identifies the unique needs within U.P. communities and offers training to help meet those needs. They train unpaid family caregivers and organizations that hire Direct Care Workers (DCW). Since April they have developed new training programs that include Heart saver CPR, safe transfer skills, and communication tools. Each person who attends training leaves with a CPR certification, essential caregiving safety skills, a gait belt and more confidence in their skills as a caregiver. Each participant leaves knowing they have become a member of the caregiving community and that support is never far away.
How does CIP know how to do this? The team is made up of caregivers. They are caregivers, they hire caregivers, and they educate caregivers. The team has a combined 180+ years of caregiving experience. Please take note, they do not do this alone. The work is accomplished through community relationships and partnership. The outreach and educational efforts include the work of professionals the team has surrounded themselves with. CIP’s educational partners include over twenty different educators ranging from veteran caregivers, attorneys, PhDs, DNPs, PTs and wellness coaches.
CIP is supported by and collaborates with many organizations. Since its founding, the work has been made possible with significant grant funding from major partners as well as grassroots support from families and individuals in the U.P., across the state of Michigan, and nationwide. Some of those organizations making things possible are the NMU Center for Rural Health on Northern Michigan University’s campus and the Michigan Center for Rural Health in Lansing on MSU’s campus, IMPART Alliance/Michigan State University, the Superior Health Foundation, the United Way of Marquette County, the Community Foundation of Marquette County, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation.
What else has this team been up to in 2025? Caregivers, you will be glad this question was asked. Recently, CIP launched the Caregiver Success Fund. This is a financial assistance fund for all types of caregivers (DCW, family, agency, and private) who take care of humans in the U.P. It exists to remove barriers for those entering caregiving or those continuing as a caregiver. Caregivers apply for funds to pay for necessary items to get to work as caregivers, whether it be scrubs, shoes, child-care, gas money, safe tires or car parts. The idea concepted by CIP is generously funded by a grant from IMPART Alliance and housed with CIP’s community financial partner Range Bank in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
One thing for certain that the CIP knows is that caregiving will touch everyone’s life at some time, humans either have been a caregiver, are a caregiver, will be a caregiver or will need a caregiver. You might be a caregiver and not know it! Many people don’t identify themselves as caregivers, CIP’s outreach is helping people understand this and to improve their lives. You might be a caregiver if you are living in lower Michigan and your parents live in the U.P. and you coordinate care for them. You might be a caregiver if you pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor or drive someone to a doctor’s appointment. If you are helping your spouse after a procedure or moving through a difficult diagnosis with them or find yourself in the August season of life with your loved one, you are a caregiver.
No matter who you are, what your background is, or where you live, one fact is almost guaranteed in this life: you will be affected by caregiving. You might need in-home senior care as you age in place, or you might have a child born with special needs. Or maybe you’re unexpectedly called upon to care for a loved one who survived an accident. Caregiving is at times called the unexpected profession.
There are countless types caregiving and we’re all going to be affected. It’s not if, but when. The CIP caregiving story started with the Paads, and the organization is ready to help you be confident for your caregiving story. In the meantime, “Take good care”, Eric Paad, CIP Found and President.
For more information please visit us at caregiverincentiveproject.org and share your caregiving story with CIP.
Do you have a story to share? Know a rural organization or individual making a difference? Email Laura Stoddard, Social Drivers of Health Manager, at laura.mispelon@affiliate.msu.edu, and let us share your story!