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	<title>News and Opinions « Direct Care Alliance &#187; Maine</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>DCA Members, Allies Comment on Proposed Rule</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2012/02/dca-members-allies-comment-on-proposed-rule/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2012/02/dca-members-allies-comment-on-proposed-rule/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:55:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Direct Care Alliance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arizona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennsylvania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[respect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skills and attributes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training and education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workloads]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=4668</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now that we&#8217;re about two-thirds of the way through the public comment period on the proposed rule to extend Fair Labor Standards Act protections to home care workers, the comments are beginning to give a sense of the range and sheer number of home care stakeholders who support the rule&#8211;and the depth of their passion about this [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Talking to Senator Collins about the Companionship Exemption</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/09/talking-to-senator-collins-about-the-companionship-exemption/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/09/talking-to-senator-collins-about-the-companionship-exemption/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:37:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ted Rippy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=4177</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A simple phone call can help educate your senator about the needs of direct care workers—and he or she may be more receptive than you might expect, as this report from Voices Institute graduate Ted Rippy demonstrates. Late last month, I had the opportunity to talk to Maine&#8217;s Senator Susan M. Collins about the Direct [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/09/talking-to-senator-collins-about-the-companionship-exemption/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Care, Commitment and Coffee with Jimmie Chandler of Maine!</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/06/care-commitment-and-coffee-with-jimmie-chandler-of-maine/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/06/care-commitment-and-coffee-with-jimmie-chandler-of-maine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:45:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Direct Care Alliance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awards and recognition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCA Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minimum wage and overtime for home care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training and education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3817</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down to speak with direct care worker, Jimmie Chandler to discuss the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how other activists can get involved in direct care advocacy in Maine.  DCA Speaks with Jimmie Chandler at 2011 Voices Institute Training.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/06/care-commitment-and-coffee-with-jimmie-chandler-of-maine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Supporters Advocate for Direct Care Workers in Maine House of Representatives</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/04/supporters-advocate-for-direct-care-workers-in-maine-house-of-representatives/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/04/supporters-advocate-for-direct-care-workers-in-maine-house-of-representatives/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Direct Care Alliance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3515</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a guest post by David Moreau.  Mahatma Gandhi once said what you do will be insignificant.  But it is very important that you do it.  I thought of that driving home from Augusta last Wednesday after taking a whole leave day off from work so that I could spend a long afternoon, first [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/04/supporters-advocate-for-direct-care-workers-in-maine-house-of-representatives/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Maine Bill Seeks to Improve Direct Care Jobs</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/03/maine-bill-seeks-to-improve-direct-care-jobs/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/03/maine-bill-seeks-to-improve-direct-care-jobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:41:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Direct Care Alliance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[awards and recognition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career advancement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care consumers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[respect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a guest post from Tammy Dawson, a Direct Support Professional from Bangor, Maine, a member of DCA &#8211; Maine. If you are a Direct Care Worker in the State of Maine, odds are you are not aware of all of the opportunities available to you.  A bill sponsored by Matthew Peterson and heartily encouraged by [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2011/03/maine-bill-seeks-to-improve-direct-care-jobs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Maine PASA Hosts Regional Social on Nov. 13</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/11/maine-pasa-hosts-regional-social-on-nov-13/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/11/maine-pasa-hosts-regional-social-on-nov-13/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:41:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helen Hanson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DCW associations/coalitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join us for this brief social where workers can network with each other and get local support for their work. The program starts promptly at 10 am and runs until noon. Members of Maine PASA&#8217;s Leadership Council will be there to update workers on all that is happening with the workforce. The Leadership Council wants [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/11/maine-pasa-hosts-regional-social-on-nov-13/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Health Voucher Program Helps Mainers Afford Insurance</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/10/maine-helps-lead-health-reform-implementation-with-dirigo-health-voucher-program/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/10/maine-helps-lead-health-reform-implementation-with-dirigo-health-voucher-program/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:39:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jimmie Chandler</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dirigo health care voucher]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governor Baldacci]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3120</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago, Ted Rippy and I attended a press conference at the Muskie School of Public Service in Portland, ME. In attendance was Governor John E. Baldacci, who is endorsing the Dirigo health voucher program. He discussed the struggles of home health workers and how they have not been able to maintain health [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/10/maine-helps-lead-health-reform-implementation-with-dirigo-health-voucher-program/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Getting Empowered In Maine: Why You Should Support the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/09/getting-empowered-in-maine-why-sen-snowe-collins-should-support-the-direct-care-workforce-empowerment-act/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/09/getting-empowered-in-maine-why-sen-snowe-collins-should-support-the-direct-care-workforce-empowerment-act/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:09:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ted Rippy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation and regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages and benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair wages direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senator Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senator Snowe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=3056</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On September 9, members of Maine PASA met with representatives from  Senator Collins&#8217; and Senator Snowe&#8217;s Bangor offices to discuss the joys, benefits &#8211; and yes, struggles &#8211; of direct care work.  The goal of our meeting was to gain their support for the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act and get both Senators to become [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/09/getting-empowered-in-maine-why-sen-snowe-collins-should-support-the-direct-care-workforce-empowerment-act/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Visiting Your Representatives Can Have a Big Impact</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/visiting-your-representatives-can-have-a-big-impact/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/visiting-your-representatives-can-have-a-big-impact/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:40:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helen Hanson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct care workers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Casey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michaud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pingree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sanchez]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently joined the Direct Care Alliance in Washington, DC, to advocate on behalf of direct care workers on Capitol Hill. The congressional visits were to gain support for the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act, which was introduced in the House by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and in the Senate by Bob Casey (D-PA).  These [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/08/visiting-your-representatives-can-have-a-big-impact/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>CNA Turned Local Politician: Direct Care Worker Runs for Office in Maine</title>
		<link>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/cna-turned-local-politician-direct-care-worker-runs-for-office-in-maine/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/cna-turned-local-politician-direct-care-worker-runs-for-office-in-maine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:44:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helen Hanson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[as leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine District 55]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine House of Representatives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.directcarealliance.org/?p=2897</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People know me as a direct care worker – a C.N.A. working as a personal care assistant in Maine’s home-based care system. But now I want to be known as an elected official. I am running for Maine’s House of Representatives from House District 55. That includes the towns of Albion, Benton (part), China and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.directcarealliance.org/2010/07/cna-turned-local-politician-direct-care-worker-runs-for-office-in-maine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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