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	<title>News and Opinions « Direct Care Alliance &#187; Leonila Vega</title>
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	<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org</link>
	<description>What direct care worker advocates are thinking, saying and doing</description>
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		<title>Personal Care: A Job Led By the Heart</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/pact-advocates-for-personal-care-attendants-in-texas/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/pact-advocates-for-personal-care-attendants-in-texas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:11:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PACT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal care Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas home care]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
I recently visited PACT in Austin, Texas, and sat down for a video interview with Elizabeth Castillo.  PACT was created by ADAPT, the national organization that advocates for the right of people living with disabilities  to live independently in the community.  Our video interview was recorded in Spanish, so I&#8217;ve provided a summary below. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/pact-advocates-for-personal-care-attendants-in-texas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Your Voices Have Been Heard! Introduction of Direct Care Legislation Marks Historic Day for Workers</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/your-voices-have-been-heard-introduction-of-direct-care-legislation-marks-historic-day-for-workers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/your-voices-have-been-heard-introduction-of-direct-care-legislation-marks-historic-day-for-workers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:28:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department of Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair wages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[minimum wage overtime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NELP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rep. Linda Sanchez]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2932</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[July 28, 2010, was a remarkable day for direct care workers across the country as Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act.

Rep. Sanchez has been a champion for direct care workers.  Last year, she led an effort along with DCA to call on the Department of Labor to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/your-voices-have-been-heard-introduction-of-direct-care-legislation-marks-historic-day-for-workers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>DCA Ramps Up Membership, Advocacy Efforts with New Staff</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/dca-ramps-up-membership-advocacy-efforts-with-new-staff/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/dca-ramps-up-membership-advocacy-efforts-with-new-staff/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:41:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DCA initiatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices Institute]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2923</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Former National Advocacy Director Roy Gedat will re-join the DCA staff as State Advocacy Director to lead the development of its membership program, focusing on recruiting and developing  direct care worker leaders and connecting with supporters and advocates across the country.  Roy will also support the implementation of the Langeloth Foundation grant to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/dca-ramps-up-membership-advocacy-efforts-with-new-staff/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Evelyn Coke: An American Hero</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/evelyn-coke-an-american-heroine/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/evelyn-coke-an-american-heroine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:13:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[campaign for fair pay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Evelyn Coke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair labor standards act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair pay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLSA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2888</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This month, we join direct care workers and their allies across the country in remembering Evelyn Coke, the heroic woman who has inspired the Direct Care Alliance’s advocacy efforts on behalf of direct care workers struggling to make ends meet and support themselves and their families.
Evelyn Coke – a courageous Jamaican immigrant from Queens – [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/evelyn-coke-an-american-heroine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Iowa Caregivers Association Increases Awareness of Direct Care Workforce Issues</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/iowa-caregivers-association-increases-awareness-of-direct-care-workforce-issues/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/iowa-caregivers-association-increases-awareness-of-direct-care-workforce-issues/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:51:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Des Moines caregiver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direct care worker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa caregivers association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Department Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2862</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last month, a Des Moines Register editorial called for more support for those caring for the elderly.
According to the Register, “Iowa has one of the highest rates in the country of admissions to nursing facilities. Going forward, more and more Iowans will want to live in their own homes as long as they can. This [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/iowa-caregivers-association-increases-awareness-of-direct-care-workforce-issues/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New York Senate Passes Domestic Workers Bill of Rights</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/new-york-senate-passes-domestic-workers-bill-of-rights/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/new-york-senate-passes-domestic-workers-bill-of-rights/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:32:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[domestic worker New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domestic Workers Bill of Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domestic Workers United]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York State Senate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2831</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 
On June 1, the New York State Senate voted 33-28 to pass the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.  This is a great victory for domestic workers who have been excluded from many basic labor protections.  The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights shows a clear indication that some states are ready to implement [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/06/new-york-senate-passes-domestic-workers-bill-of-rights/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Direct Care Workers Join DCA Board</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/05/direct-care-workers-join-dca-board/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/05/direct-care-workers-join-dca-board/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2010 18:17:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2746</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’m thrilled to welcome three new members to the Direct Care Alliance board of directors: Angel Saylor, Mark Cerna and Ted Rippy.  These are three extraordinary individuals who care deeply about improving the direct care profession and have been involved with the DCA for years.  All three of them are graduates of the DCA Voices [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/05/direct-care-workers-join-dca-board/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DCA Applauds DOL Commitment to Address Wage &amp; Overtime Protections for Workers</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/04/dca-applauds-dol-commitment-to-address-wage-overtime-protections-for-workers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/04/dca-applauds-dol-commitment-to-address-wage-overtime-protections-for-workers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:51:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department of Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direct care worker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Secretary Hilda Solis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Secretary of Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wage overtime protection]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2738</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Labor has responded to the demands of advocates and workers by taking an initial step toward addressing the critical issue that prevents millions of direct care workers today from being afforded minimum wage and overtime protections.  The Direct Care Alliance has been a strong voice in advocating for this change within DOL, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/04/dca-applauds-dol-commitment-to-address-wage-overtime-protections-for-workers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Nature of Leadership: Remarks from Atlantic Philanthropies’ Stacey Easterling</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/the-nature-of-leadership/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/the-nature-of-leadership/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:34:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aging in America Conference]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlantic Philanthropies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2658</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Atlantic Philanthropies Program Officer Stacey Easterling recently spoke about the responsibility, joys and burdens of true leadership at the 2010 ASA/NCOA Aging in America Conference in Chicago.  Atlantic Philanthropies is a major sponsor of the Direct Care Alliance, and we&#8217;re very grateful for their support. Enjoy the video and text excerpt from her presentation, below.

Leadership [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/the-nature-of-leadership/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>In the News: staff cuts, budget setbacks and more</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/in-the-news-staff-cuts-budget-setbacks-and-more/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/in-the-news-staff-cuts-budget-setbacks-and-more/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:48:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Direct care consumers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[assisted living cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governor McDonnell Virginia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[number of nurses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[number of teachers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2575</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/in-the-news-staff-cuts-budget-setbacks-and-more/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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