Archive for ‘Pennsylvania’

DCA Members, Allies Comment on Proposed Rule

Posted by on February 7th, 2012 at 1:55 am | No Comments »

Now that we’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–and the depth of their passion about this issue.

Here’s a sampling of the inspirational comments submitted so far by DCA members and allies. If you’ve already submitted yours, thank you for helping support this important cause. If you haven’t yet found the time, please download our comment submission guidelines and send yours in soon.

Judy Clinco

Judy Clinco, home care agency owner

As the owner of a 30-year-old home care company that employees Direct Care Workers, I am fully supportive of this workforce being protected by the Fair Wage Labor Law. Unless this workforce is guaranteed minimum hourly wage and over time it will be impossible to recruit compassionate individuals who will work long term in this sector. Our aging society not only needs trained, compassionate individuals, but the continuity of having there services and care be provided by the same caregiver.

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Working for Less than Minimum Wage

Posted by on October 18th, 2011 at 9:02 am | 6 Comments »

Clara Glenn

I’ve been doing home care work for 30-some years, and I love it. I tell everybody I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You have to have a heart to do this work. You can’t just do it for no reason. You have to be dedicated. I always put God first in my life, and that carries me through.

About 15 years ago, I worked for a home care agency that paid less than minimum wage. The minimum was $5.15 at the time, and we were making $4.90. I think that was a reason a lot of the girls left. We stayed as long as we could and then we went on to other places.

I stayed because of the clients. I liked them and they liked me. We made our own little family, and that meant more to me than the money. As long as they were getting good care, that was really what mattered to me. Even now, some of their grandchildren send me Christmas cards and birthday cards and when they get married they call me up. They were like family, and I knew they needed help. Continue reading »

PA Caregivers Invited to Free Training, Board Meet

Posted by on September 16th, 2011 at 3:00 pm | 1 Comment »

PA Direct Care Worker Association logoThe Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association invites all interested direct care workers in Pennsylvania to two free training sessions and a PaDCWA board meeting, to be held at Arden Courts in Allentown on October 27.

The first training will be on the subject of caregiver burnout. It will be conducted during a working lunch (provided at no charge) between 12 and 1 p.m. After the board meeting, which will take place from 1 to 3, a second training will be held on responding to difficult behaviors caused by Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. Human Resources Director Amanda Scholl of Home Instead Senior Care will conduct both sessions.

Certificates will be awarded on completion of training.

Download flyer for more information.

PA Home Care Workers Address Sympathetic Politician

Posted by on September 12th, 2011 at 8:50 pm | 3 Comments »

Rep. Murphy and Janis Durick

Home care workers had the full attention of Representative Tim Murphy on September 2, at a meeting hosted by DCA and From the Heart Companion Services in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

“I was very pleased that Representative Murphy came and listened to us. I really was,” says From the Heart owner Janis Durick. “He already had an attentive ear and was willing to help us with some of the things that we needed, but I figure the comments from all the direct care workers made him that much more open to what we do. Each one is different, and their clients are different.” Continue reading »

Pennsylvania Home Care Employer Believes Quality Care Starts with Quality Jobs

Posted by on August 1st, 2011 at 4:07 pm | 2 Comments »

Janis Mandich Durick founded From The Heart Home Companion Service with the expressed desire to fill a much needed void in quality Home Care in Pennsylvania.  Several years ago, Janis chose to put her business career on hold to care for her elderly parents.  Looking back, Janis now credits caring for her Mom and Dad with jump starting her business to provide quality “at home” care service to seniors and people living with disabilities.

Janis attributes an immense devotion to her business to a great sense of knowing that many people are in desperate need of home care. “My parent’s desire was to remain at home.  I could not justify placing them in a nursing facility.  With some assistance and prayer, I managed to fulfill that desire.”  In today’s fast-paced world, life can be very stressful.  People have to work; unfortunately many times some are left with no other recourse but to leave their loved ones in the care of a facility.

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Direct Care Job Quality Improvement Act Introduced in the House and Senate!

Posted by on June 27th, 2011 at 5:30 pm | No Comments »

Last Friday, the Direct Care Job Quality Improvement Act was introduced in the U.S. House (HR 2341) and Senate (S. 1273) by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA).  The bill was submitted with 22 original co-sponsors in the House and in the Senate, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, Tom Harkin also signed on as an original co-sponsor.

Rep. Sanchez released a statement on the importance and impact of the legislation stating “It is impossible to overstate the importance of direct care workers…They provide essential care and daily living services to more than 13 million elderly and disabled Americans.  They care for our parents and grandparents, but we don’t guarantee home care workers the minimum wage.  It is my hope that…” Read full release from Rep. Sanchez


Care, Commitment and Coffee Series Continues!

Posted by on June 7th, 2011 at 1:27 pm | 1 Comment »

Your passion. Your job. Your future!

At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down for conversations with workers and direct care advocates from around the country, discussing the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how anyone can join the movement in their home state. This week we invite you to meet Noel Mendez, from the DCA’s Pennsylvania chapter! Watch Video

Making Strides in Philadelphia

Posted by on March 14th, 2011 at 9:27 am | 2 Comments »

This is a guest post by Noel Mendez of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association

from left: Chris Langston, Margaret Bernger, Brenda Natchway and Noel Mendez

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association continued to make strides by hosting another successful membership meeting and participating in the Long Term Quality Alliance annual meeting.  On Friday 25, Brenda Nachtway, National Membership Director for the Direct Care Alliance, accompanied PADCWA members Peg Ankney, Margaret Beringer and myself to Washington, DC, where we attended the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the Long-Term Quality Alliance.  This event was held at the National Press Club where we met with Leonila Vega, Executive Director of the DCA.  Throughout the day we listened to industry and government leaders talk about issues that affect direct care workers and those in our care.

Mary Naylor of the University of Pennsylvania gave the welcome address and talked  about quality measurement, tangible improvements in care, and advancing policies that lead to improved care, among other important issues.  Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, focused on government policy, budgetary provisions and outlined features of the CLASS Act.  Topics covered by other speakers included the Affordable Care Act, dual eligibles, quality measurement, outreach and public awareness.

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Professional Development, Networking at Philadelphia Chapter Meeting

Posted by on January 31st, 2011 at 11:47 am | No Comments »

Brenda Nachtway

Join us for the first meeting of the year! The Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association will gather to learn, network and celebrate. First, we’ll hear from JEVS Human Services on durable medical equipment, understanding disability culture, and effective communication. Participants will receive certificates of completion for this educational session! Then we’ll discuss leadership opportunities and the exciting new DCA Personal Care and Support Credential, and finish off with refreshments and get the chance to talk, share ideas and support each other.

Please let me or Roy Gedat know if you plan on coming by emailing us at rgedat@directcarealliance.org or brendanachtway@gmail.com. We’d love to see you, and please invite your friends and coworkers! Read more about the event on Facebook or download the flyer.

PA Supreme Court Mandates Overtime Pay for Home Health Aides

Posted by on December 20th, 2010 at 11:14 am | 2 Comments »

Connie Kreider

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ruled that home health aides must get paid overtime!  This is an exciting victory that will change change the lives of many Pennsylvania direct care workers in home health settings.  So many direct care workers struggle to keep two or more jobs just to meet their monthly expenses.  Many do not have affordable health care and are providing care to not only their consumers, but to their own children and elderly parents as well.

The ruling in Pennsylvania is a blessing, and gives hope to all direct care workers across the country.  The heart of a direct care worker is full of compassion for providing the best care possible, and this ruling means better quality jobs for them and better quality care for those they serve. This ruling will change the future for all home health aides in Pennsylvania and provide them with adequate compensation for their profession. I hope that PA will set an example for other states to do the same. Continue reading »

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