This spring, the DCA’s Voices Institute will introduce a state-level training program for people who want to improve the lives of direct support workers and the people they support. If you’re a direct support worker or a long-term care recipient in Wisconsin who has a passion for that cause, we’d love to see you there!
Advocacy Voices Together is sponsored by the Direct Care Alliance, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (WBPDD), and the Wisconsin Direct Caregiver Alliance (WIDCA). The program teams direct support workers with people who receive long-term care services. Together, they will learn how to build support for better direct care worker wages, benefits and working conditions.
The training will consist of three two-day meetings over a three-month period, on March 26-27, May 7-8, and May 21-22. Teammates will work on community action projects between meetings. After the training is over, Advocacy Voices Together graduates will keep working together to build local support for their issues. Graduates will also have opportunities to work with the sponsoring organizations on state and national issues affecting direct care workers and their work.
If you live in Wisconsin and meet the criteria below, we hope you’ll apply for a spot. The deadline for applications is January 15.
- You receive long-term care services, or you are a direct support worker (eligible job titles include personal care attendant, supported living staff, job coach, home health aide, home care aide, nurse aide, CNA, and more.)
- You have access to a computer and e-mail.
- You want to make a commitment to educating and organizing other people to improve the quality of life for direct service workers and the people they support.
Prior experience or training in advocacy is a plus, but it is not required. Applicants are encouraged to apply as teams (one direct support worker and one recipient of long-term care services), but you may also apply as an individual.
We hope you’ll join us in the fight to improve direct care jobs and long-term care here in Wisconsin!
Tracy Dudzinski, CNA Jennifer Ondrejka
Vice President of the Board, DCA Executive Director, WBPDD
President of the Board, WIDCA
