Leonila Vega
One of the best ways to become empowered is to get informed. When you’re informed about what’s happening in your state and across the direct care profession, you are better able to take action and have a voice in the decision-making process. I can’t tell you enough how important it is for you to get involved and speak out – you are not alone. There are over 3 million direct care workers in this country and over one million new positions are needed by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to PHI, direct care workers in the U.S. will outnumber teachers from kindergarten through high school (3.9 million) and registered nurses (3.2 million) by 2018. In Pennsylvania alone, an additional 56,000 direct care workers will be desperately needed in the next five years. These facts are stunning and should encourage you to have a role in the movement for change.
This week, I wanted to call your attention to a few headlines.
- McDonnell proposal looks to remove about 500 service position employees. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell seeks to close the state’s funding shortfall by eliminating about 500 jobs, including mostly direct care and support positions at various state mental hospitals. Do you work in Virginia? Tell Governor McDonnell how important your job is.
- Grant program to extend health insurance to part-time workers. A new program in Maine aims to help direct care workers obtain health coverage. What do you think of this plan?
- Assisted living centers cut costs, negotiate fees. As the need for senior living facilities rise, centers from Louisville, Kentucky, to San Diego, California, cut back on services and increase fees. Many are exploring how they can care for residents with even less staff. Share your thoughts on why services should be increased, not cut.
