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.
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 change for individuals in industries – like direct care – who are not receiving basic labor protections. This success is closely tied to direct care workers; domestic workers and direct care workers have both traditionally worked in environments with low pay, long hours, and no heath care or sick leave.
Domestic Workers United was instrumental in shaping this Bill of Rights. Provisions include improvements to domestic workers’ employment conditions and requirements for paid sick leave, paid vacation time and days of rest. It also sets guidelines for proper employment termination.
The Direct Care Alliance would like to offer its congratulations and support to Domestic Workers United. The passage of this bill is a significant achievement and a great way to inspire progress for other unprotected workers. We look forward to working with our allies to secure protections for all direct care workers. Continue reading »
The Direct Care Alliance (DCA) and the PA Direct Care Workers Association are hosting a free Voices Institute Leadership Workshop for direct care workers on July 17. Our industry needs leaders, and VI grads have become some of the most powerful advocates in the field. Participate in this workshop and join the thousands of direct care workers across the country who are already working to improve wages, benefits, working conditions and career advancement opportunities.
Voices Institute graduates have learned how to make their voices heard on key issues and have been able to advocate among key stakeholders at the local and national level.
This event is open to all direct care workers, long-term care workers, and assisted living workers in the Philadelphia area. This event is a first step to identifying leaders to attend the DCA National Voices Institute training in the fall.
What: Free leadership program. Breakfast, lunch and a snack will be provided. Participants will receive a Voices Institute certificate When: Saturday, July 17, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Where: The National Christian Conference Center in Valley Forge. RSVP: Please contact Brenda Nachtway at brendanachtway@gmail.com by June 30 for more information and to register.
Maine’s state-based Campaign for Better Care kicked off last week in Augusta with the DCA-Maine Chapter as one of its partners. Maine is one of six states sponsoring a campaign focused on more effectively involving consumers in treatment and care choices.
The multi-year initiative focuses on improving health care quality, coordination and communication for vulnerable older patients and those with multiple health problems. The nation-wide effort is lead in Maine by Consumers for Affordable Health Care along with partners including the American Heart Association- Founders Affiliate, City of Portland Minority Health Program, Direct Care Alliance- Maine Chapter, Eastern Area Agency on Aging , Law Office of Alice E. Knapp, Maine Council of Churches, Maine Council of Senior Citizens – Alliance for Retired Americans, Maine Equal Justice Partners, Maine Parent Federation, Maine People’s Resource Center and Maine Women’s Lobby. Continue reading »
The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) has become an important part in the fight for the professionalism and respect for direct support professionals. Since joining DSPAM 3 years ago, I have witnessed the growth and movement that this organization has done and how dedicated each person involved is to the direct care workers of Minnesota.
Over the last year DSPAM has pushed full force to be involved with advocacy, leadership, and taking care of direct support professionals. Our most proud and biggest accomplishment was our event held last September to pamper Minnesota DSPs and to allow them to have a day where the roles were reversed. Providing free haircuts and manicures, thanks to Spa Blu, over 200 DSPs attended receiving the pampering and care they so deserve. Through this event we were able to increase our membership to reach our first membership goal of 250. All of us are so thankful to our sponsors, donators, volunteers, and partners that helped make this event possible. Continue reading »
As an advocate for home care workers in the heart of the Los Angeles immigrant community, I work with hundreds of immigrant home care workers in my role as a leader and Associate Director of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). I attended a meeting in Houston from April 14-15, 2010, organized by the Department of Labor Office of Safety and Health Administration (DOL-OSHA), where Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis spoke about safety in the workplace. Immigration was a topic of the discussion as well, given that so many workers who face labor safety issues are recent immigrants to America. “Working without papers may be against the law, but it is NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!” said Secretary Solis. DOL statistics reveal that 14 immigrants die each day in the U.S. because of unsafe working conditions. Caregivers are among them.
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, Diana Scully, the Director of the Office of Elder Services, presented the report. She took the committee through the process we went through as part of the Lean Team and described the many issues workers face on a daily basis. We had reached consensus that the system’s seven programs should be consolidated into just three, and Ms. Scully outlined the changes that would need to take place. She also described the recommendation on rebalancing the funding of Maine’s Long-Term Care System so that home and community-based care receives as much funding as nursing home care. Continue reading »
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 official, Matthew is able to advocate for change in direct care and believes it is an essential and valuable workforce. It is inspiring and encouraging – Matthew has linked his personal passion and commitment to independent living to advocating the need for a well-trained, respected and well-paid direct care workforce. Watch the brief interview I was able to record with Matthew, below.
Imagine if more disability leaders and independent living advocates joined the Direct Care Alliance and made their voices heard on the issues that matter. What if, like Matthew, you could advance change in your community, your state, and eventually, across the country? Continue reading »
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 enforcing national labor laws. The DCA is hopeful that she will make the extension of federal wage and overtime protections to home care workers a top priority once she takes office.
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 17, but the leaders of Melanie’s March are also looking for people to join them at events along the way in cities like Newark, Wilmington, and Baltimore; donate to support the cause; or march the last mile with them to Capitol Hill. Continue reading »
