Posted by Judy Clinco on June 10th, 2010 at 9:27 am | No Comments »
Judy Clinco
A recent article in the Arizona Republic calls attention to the rising demand for direct care services in Arizona. With an additional 1.1 million direct care workers needed across the U.S. in the next ten years, it is more important than ever that our workforce is equipped to meet the challenge. From the article:
Despite all our political differences, there is a universally shared human hope. No matter your race, ethnic background, religion, gender or sexual orientation, everybody wants a sense of self-determination in old age. But as 77 million Baby Boomers move into their golden years, there is a shortage of direct-care workers who can help them retain a sense of independence.
That’s one big problem. For [Direct Care Alliance board member] Judy Clinco, solving it also involves addressing the parallel human need to fill one’s younger years with meaningful work. Let’s start with the challenges of old age. The ability of Boomers to continue to do their own thing will depend largely on the availability of direct-care workers. These workers provide 80 percent of paid, hands-on services for the elderly in their own homes, in assisted-living settings, nursing homes, hospices and hospitals. These workers are in short supply – and that’s nothing new. 10 years ago, [Ms. Clinco] created the CareGiver Training Institute to build a workforce. This month, the non-profit will graduate its 1,000th student.
Read the rest of the article here.
Posted by David Ward on February 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm | 1 Comment »
President Obama
In his State of the Union Address last Tuesday, President Obama reiterated that his Administration’s #1 priority is to create more jobs and get our economy back on track. He also challenged Congress: “Don’t walk away from health care reform.”
The DCA applauds the President’s call to action. With more than a quarter of all direct care workers lacking health insurance, making quality health care affordable for all Americans remains our top priority. We’re also working to get direct care on the job creation agenda, so some of that funding will go to improve the quality of direct care jobs, ensuring that we can satisfy consumer demand for a stable, well-qualified workforce.
Direct care jobs are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations in the USA over the next decade. That means our nation is facing a crucial choice. We can continue to tolerate low-paying, poor-quality jobs that swell the ranks of the working poor and lead to poor care. Or we can invest in the direct care workforce. Continue reading »
Posted by Elise Nakhnikian on January 15th, 2010 at 1:27 pm | No Comments »
Lori Michael
In another call for putting direct care on the nation’s job creation agenda, a Pennsylvania home care provider appealed to laid-off workers in a January 12 editorial in the Pottsville, Pennsylvania Republican Herald.
Lori Michael, the founder and chair of the Schuylkill County Direct Care Workers Association and owner of Lori’s Angels, a home care agency, urges displaced workers with “patience and understanding” to consider a career in direct care.
Michael describes direct care as “recession-proof” work that can last a lifetime and allow you to “really make a difference in the life of another person.” She also notes that it is one of the fastest-growing job categories in the nation, “playing a vital role in job creation and economic growth.”
Posted by Leonila Vega on December 30th, 2009 at 10:41 pm | No Comments »
Leonila Vega
The end of 2009 has brought us close to the end of the long legislative battle over health care reform. Looking ahead, we expect job creation to be at the top of Congress’ list of priorities in 2010.
That’s why the DCA is working with a coalition of more than 50 national groups and nearly 100 local and state organizations called Jobs for America Now.
Part of the coalition’s five-point plan for getting America back to work is to “directly create jobs that put people to work helping communities’ meet pressing needs,” and few needs are more pressing than the growing demand for high-quality long-term care services.
Continue reading »
