My Trip to DC with the DCA: A CNA’s Report

John Booker (R) takes shelter from the rain with fellow DCWs Ray Erickson and Julie Moulton.

It was raining in Washington, D.C on April 29, 2009. I was soaked from my head to my toe, but I was enjoying it all.

Not because I liked being wet, but because my colleagues and I were preparing for our fourth appointment of the day with members of the Senate. I was happy because the water that was on my face and in my ears and eyes was helping to disguise the tears of joy and pride that I was shedding that day for being a member of the Direct Care Alliance.

I was so proud to walk in that rain with employers, consumers, and workers – all advocates, all speaking with one voice and all caring the banner of the Direct Care Alliance, an organization that direct care workers all over the country are now calling their number one advocate.

That rain felt so good because it helped us wash away ignorance and misinformation about issues that are vitally important to direct care and support workers everywhere, like the unfair exemption of home care workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act. (PDF) We felt empowered, armed with cutting edge information from the experts who are members of the Direct Care Alliance from all across the country.

My colleagues and I were enjoying that blowing, driving rain, because we had stormed the halls of Congress and stamped our imprints on the shining floors of the Senate. We educated, informed, and changed the balance of government.

You think that I’m exaggerating? Here’s the proof: My Congressman admitted that he was not informed on the FLSA decision regarding home health workers and expressed interest in learning more. And the last people to meet with members of Senator Arlen Specter’s staff before the senator switched parties were a group from the Direct Care Alliance.

What a day!!!

John Booker, CNA
Vice Chairman of the Board
Direct Care Alliance