Comments on: Putting the DC in the DCA: Advocating for the FLSA Fix and Our Health Care Reform Principles http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/ What direct care worker advocates are thinking, saying and doing Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Timothy Doe http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-752 Timothy Doe Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:38:19 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-752 Thank you to share with us this information. I really appreciated it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members who sacrificed and offered their time to make this important trip to DC. I will share also this important information with my co-workers and friends who are direct care workers. Timothy Doe Catholic Community Services Thank you to share with us this information. I really appreciated it.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members who sacrificed and offered their time to make this important trip to DC.

I will share also this important information with my co-workers and friends who are direct care workers.

Timothy Doe
Catholic Community Services

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-395 Anonymous Thu, 07 May 2009 21:24:22 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-395 I certainly support improving the pay and benefits for caregivers. They most often are amazing individuals, providing excellent, loving care. The challenge is that one size does not fit all in caregiving. There are friends and family in many cases, as well as those who make caregiving their profession. Some friends and family simply need to have a small amount to allow them to provide care, while others need a living wage. I want to be sure that you are considering one of the likely unintended consequences of your proposals. I believe that these recommendations will result in many individuals with disabilities finding that they can no longer live independently, in the community, because of the prohibitive cost of a live in caregiver. In our market, a live in caregiver making $75 per day will earn up to $27,000 per year, with a total cost of about $32,000 when payroll taxes are included. This payment structure works rather well for family members to be able to remain full-time caregivers. There are also non-family members paid in this range. Paying for hourly 24-hour care at the minimum rate of $9 per hour would cost over $93,000 per year, with payroll taxes but without any overtime. This assumes three eight-hour shifts daily. The group homes in our market are in the $3,000 to $5,000 range per month, well under this cost of nearly $8,000 per month. Most individuals who receive long-term care assistance are likely to find that the group home alternative is the only affordable one for their managed care organization. For any individual who is private pay, this is completely out of reach. The unintended consequence of trying to treat all situations the same, is that many existing situations that are very satisfactory will no longer be possible. With the increasing demand for caregivers, rates are rising on their own. This is likely to continue with the aging of baby boomers. If you prevail, you may find that you have achieved a victory for some at the expense of others. I certainly support improving the pay and benefits for caregivers. They most often are amazing individuals, providing excellent, loving care. The challenge is that one size does not fit all in caregiving. There are friends and family in many cases, as well as those who make caregiving their profession. Some friends and family simply need to have a small amount to allow them to provide care, while others need a living wage.

I want to be sure that you are considering one of the likely unintended consequences of your proposals. I believe that these recommendations will result in many individuals with disabilities finding that they can no longer live independently, in the community, because of the prohibitive cost of a live in caregiver.

In our market, a live in caregiver making $75 per day will earn up to $27,000 per year, with a total cost of about $32,000 when payroll taxes are included. This payment structure works rather well for family members to be able to remain full-time caregivers. There are also non-family members paid in this range.

Paying for hourly 24-hour care at the minimum rate of $9 per hour would cost over $93,000 per year, with payroll taxes but without any overtime. This assumes three eight-hour shifts daily. The group homes in our market are in the $3,000 to $5,000 range per month, well under this cost of nearly $8,000 per month. Most individuals who receive long-term care assistance are likely to find that the group home alternative is the only affordable one for their managed care organization. For any individual who is private pay, this is completely out of reach.

The unintended consequence of trying to treat all situations the same, is that many existing situations that are very satisfactory will no longer be possible.

With the increasing demand for caregivers, rates are rising on their own. This is likely to continue with the aging of baby boomers. If you prevail, you may find that you have achieved a victory for some at the expense of others.

]]> By: Tippy Irwin http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-392 Tippy Irwin Thu, 07 May 2009 17:30:19 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-392 It is indeed encouraging to see all the hard work focused on improving the pay and conditions of the direct care workers. As a long-term care ombudsman, it is very evident that we cannot improve the care being delivered to loved ones in long-term care until we improve the conditions of the caregivers. We at Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, California, are fully supportive of your efforts It is indeed encouraging to see all the hard work focused on improving the pay and conditions of the direct care workers. As a long-term care ombudsman, it is very evident that we cannot improve the care being delivered to loved ones in long-term care until we improve the conditions of the caregivers. We at Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, California, are fully supportive of your efforts

]]> By: Tracy http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-390 Tracy Thu, 07 May 2009 13:34:56 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-390 It was great to be a part of this historical event. I shared a quote with some of you that I would like to share with everyone: Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. - Robert F. Kennedy I think this sums up our work, and things will start to change. Hopefully our ripples turns into waves. Tracy Dudzinski Direct Care Worker DCA Board Member It was great to be a part of this historical event. I shared a quote with some of you that I would like to share with everyone:

Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.
– Robert F. Kennedy

I think this sums up our work, and things will start to change. Hopefully our ripples turns into waves.

Tracy Dudzinski
Direct Care Worker
DCA Board Member

]]> By: John Booker http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-389 John Booker Wed, 06 May 2009 16:25:53 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-389 Jim, it was an honor to work beside you. It is individuals like yourself , Dr. Laurie Powers, Mr. Dennis Fitzgibbons and others who are living the experience, and who are best qualified to educate others , including congress, so thank you all for your inspiration. John Jim, it was an honor to work beside you. It is individuals like yourself , Dr. Laurie Powers, Mr. Dennis Fitzgibbons and others who are living the experience, and who are best qualified to educate others , including congress, so thank you all for your inspiration. John

]]> By: Jim Locke http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Jim Locke Wed, 06 May 2009 09:12:51 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-387 Watching all this come together was inspiring. We have it in our hands to effect a change, and make sure we are not forgotten. Change is definitely coming, that much is certain. I'm very glad to be part of this effort to help set the agenda, pushing for basic protections and dignity. Thank you all for the opportunity to work with you! Our perseverance is the key to success in this. We need for people to know who we are, and what we stand for. Each Direct Care Alliance member who shared their personal stories on the Hill is one vital piece of the solution. This is important work we've started. It's up to all of us now to keep it going! Jim Locke -- Direct Care Worker Direct Care Alliance Board Member Watching all this come together was inspiring. We have it in our hands to effect a change, and make sure we are not forgotten.

Change is definitely coming, that much is certain. I’m very glad to be part of this effort to help set the agenda, pushing for basic protections and dignity.

Thank you all for the opportunity to work with you! Our perseverance is the key to success in this. We need for people to know who we are, and what we stand for. Each Direct Care Alliance member who shared their personal stories on the Hill is one vital piece of the solution. This is important work we’ve started. It’s up to all of us now to keep it going!

Jim Locke — Direct Care Worker
Direct Care Alliance Board Member

]]> By: Renee Tillman http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Renee Tillman Tue, 05 May 2009 00:22:24 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-382 Hi, DCA family, We did it! This is just the beginning. I am so proud of the accomplishment we made in honor of direct care workers in the nation. I am proud to be a health care worker. I have done this job for over 30 years. Saying we get no respect is an understatement. The lack of attention they play to the key of education is appalling, and the way we continue to let our employers think it is O.K. to not have benefits that we can live with is unacceptable. What puzzles me is we still let this happen today. No more! We will speak and do everything in our power to change this wrongdoing. I made a difference in my journey in Washington, and those of you who were with me did as well. Our campaign has just begun. Great job, you guys! I am proud to have been a part of such a historical day for healthcare workers in the nation. Renee J. Tillman CNA/CHPNA President and Founder, Texas Association of Nurse Assistants Hi, DCA family,
We did it! This is just the beginning.

I am so proud of the accomplishment we made in honor of direct care workers in the nation. I am proud to be a health care worker.

I have done this job for over 30 years. Saying we get no respect is an understatement. The lack of attention they play to the key of education is appalling, and the way we continue to let our employers think it is O.K. to not have benefits that we can live with is unacceptable. What puzzles me is we still let this happen today.

No more! We will speak and do everything in our power to change this wrongdoing. I made a difference in my journey in Washington, and those of you who were with me did as well. Our campaign has just begun.

Great job, you guys! I am proud to have been a part of such a historical day for healthcare workers in the nation.

Renee J. Tillman CNA/CHPNA
President and Founder, Texas Association of Nurse Assistants

]]> By: Brenda Nachtway http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2009/05/putting-the-dc-in-the-dca/comment-page-1/#comment-385 Brenda Nachtway Mon, 04 May 2009 20:37:32 +0000 http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=831#comment-385 I’ve just returned from Washington D.C., what an amazing outcome. I’d first like to thank Leonila Vega, Roy G., Bridget S. and Vicki E. you all did a amazing job with the DC trip. Over 45 on the Hill telling our stories. We did in the last two and half days use our VOICE… It is my dream that in one year we again will use our stories and voices with 4,500! We can do it. We need you, the direct care workers. I’d like to send a special thank you as well to Connie K, and Peg A. for taking time from you busy days to make the trip, I know you did a great job. I was there to witness it. Never can we do it alone. We are a team, and the best team wins, WE WILL WIN…. Thanks to all. I’ve just returned from Washington D.C., what an amazing outcome. I’d first like to thank Leonila Vega, Roy G., Bridget S. and Vicki E. you all did a amazing job with the DC trip. Over 45 on the Hill telling our stories. We did in the last two and half days use our VOICE…

It is my dream that in one year we again will use our stories and voices with 4,500!

We can do it. We need you, the direct care workers. I’d like to send a special thank you as well to Connie K, and Peg A. for taking time from you busy days to make the trip, I know you did a great job. I was there to witness it.

Never can we do it alone. We are a team, and the best team wins, WE WILL WIN….
Thanks to all.

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