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	<title>News and Opinions « Direct Care Alliance &#187; States</title>
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	<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org</link>
	<description>What direct care worker advocates are thinking, saying and doing</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:48:42 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Impacting Your State&#8217;s System: My work in Maine</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/impacting-your-states-system-my-work-in-maine/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/impacting-your-states-system-my-work-in-maine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:07:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helen Hanson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direct care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elderly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Human Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LEAN Report]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2548</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For the complete LEAN Report, visit http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/reports/ltc-services-adults.shtml and see the last item under Direct Care Workers Taskforce Materials.
I have been working with friends and allies across the state to push the Department of Health and Human Services to present the LEAN Report.  After meeting with Senator Mitchell’s office and several others, it finally happened.
On February 24, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/03/impacting-your-states-system-my-work-in-maine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Independent living &amp; disability rights advocate takes up the case of direct care workers</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/independent-living-disability-rights-advocate-takes-up-the-case-of-direct-care-workers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/independent-living-disability-rights-advocate-takes-up-the-case-of-direct-care-workers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:31:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alpha One]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct Care Alliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direct care worker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disability rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine District 92]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Representative Matthew Peterson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2522</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On a recent trip to Maine, I sat down with Representative Matthew Peterson of District 92 to discuss his work on behalf of direct care workers in the state.  He has worked in direct care for years, and is currently an Independent Living Specialist at Alpha One, a center for independent living. As an elected [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/independent-living-disability-rights-advocate-takes-up-the-case-of-direct-care-workers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Worker Rights Champion Confirmed as Solicitor for the U.S. DOL</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/worker-rights-champion-confirmed-as-solicitor-for-the-u-s-dol/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/worker-rights-champion-confirmed-as-solicitor-for-the-u-s-dol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:58:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Ward</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington, D.C.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2508</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are excited to report that the Senate confirmed President Obama’s appointment of M. Patricia Smith as Solicitor of the U.S. Department of Labor.
This is great news for direct care workers because Ms. Smith has a proven track record as a champion for American workers.  In her new position, she will be responsible for [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/worker-rights-champion-confirmed-as-solicitor-for-the-u-s-dol/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Support Melanie&#8217;s March for Health Care Reform</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/a-chance-to-show-your-support-for-health-care-reform/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/a-chance-to-show-your-support-for-health-care-reform/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:47:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Elise Nakhnikian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delaware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Jersey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennsylvania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington, D.C.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2503</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A group of Pennsylvanians is marching the 135 miles from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., over the next week. They are going to call on Congress to support health care reform, and they want you to join them.
It may be a little late to join the march from start to finish, since it starts on February [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/a-chance-to-show-your-support-for-health-care-reform/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DCA Welcomes DC-Based Director of Communications</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/dca-welcomes-dc-based-director-of-communications/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/dca-welcomes-dc-based-director-of-communications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:12:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Leonila Vega</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DCA initiatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington, D.C.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2484</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Direct Care Alliance will welcome another new staff member and boost our presence in the nation&#8217;s capitol when Aaron P. Pickering joins us as our full-time director of communications next week.
Aaron comes to us from Equal Justice Works, where he helped promote the work of law students and attorneys providing pro bono representation to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/dca-welcomes-dc-based-director-of-communications/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Washington State to Vote on Career Path for Home Care Workers</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/washington-state-to-vote-on-career-path-for-home-care-workers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/washington-state-to-vote-on-career-path-for-home-care-workers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:07:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linda Lee</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington state]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career advancement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training and education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2495</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Washington state legislature is finally starting to support the work we home care workers and our allies have been doing to establish a professional career path for direct care workers in long-term care. On Saturday, a bill to allow home care workers to more easily become nursing assistants was passed out of committee. It [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/washington-state-to-vote-on-career-path-for-home-care-workers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition Seeks Leader</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-mexico-direct-caregivers-coalition-seeks-leader/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-mexico-direct-caregivers-coalition-seeks-leader/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:13:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Elise Nakhnikian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Mexico]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2491</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition is seeking its first executive director. The organization, which was founded last year, is headed by a 10-member board of directors all of whom are direct care workers.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to nmexchange@aol.com by March 3.
Job description (PDF)
]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-mexico-direct-caregivers-coalition-seeks-leader/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Scholarship Opportunity for Vermont Caregivers</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-scholarship-opportunity-for-vermont-caregivers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-scholarship-opportunity-for-vermont-caregivers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:45:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Elise Nakhnikian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vermont]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awards and recognition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training and education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2487</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A scholarship for caregivers will be awarded this spring to a professional caregiver for seniors or adults with disabilities in Vermont. The first annual Linda Andersen Caregiver Scholarship, named in honor of a long-time caregiver who passed away suddenly last year, is being presented by Armistead Caregiver Services in conjunction with the Community of Vermont [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/new-scholarship-opportunity-for-vermont-caregivers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Maine Tables Report on Improving Home- and Community-Based Care</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/maine-tables-report-on-improving-home-and-community-based-care/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/maine-tables-report-on-improving-home-and-community-based-care/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:45:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helen Hanson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care consumers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training and education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2472</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, our report is complete, but it has not yet been presented to the Legislature.
As you know if you’ve been reading this blog, I am part of a team that was appointed by the state of Maine to recommend ways that the Legislature&#8217;s Health and Human Services Committee could streamline long-term care service delivery, address [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/02/maine-tables-report-on-improving-home-and-community-based-care/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DCA&#8217;s Investment in Arizona Pays Off: Association, Worker Leaders Make Great Strides</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/01/az-association-worker-leaders-make-great-strides/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/01/az-association-worker-leaders-make-great-strides/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:49:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Judy Clinco</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arizona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCA initiatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care consumers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2415</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

It’s not easy to start up a direct care worker association, but with the right members and allies, you’d be surprised how much you can get done.


Our association, the Arizona Direct Care Worker Association (ADCWA), started last year. We are still in the process of building up our membership, but we already have some really [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/01/az-association-worker-leaders-make-great-strides/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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