The Direct Care News 
For direct care workers and their allies April 30, 2013
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Boston Home Care Workers Go Extra Mile After Marathon Bombing
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 The Boston Marathon bombing was a tragic reminder of the harm that can be caused by individuals determined to do so. It was also a reminder of the incredible courage and resilience that people and communities show in the wake of an attack. There have been numerous stories about the heroic acts of runners, volunteers, spectators, and first responders who quickly aided the victims, and in the days that followed, police worked tirelessly to make Boston safe again. With the city in lockdown, direct care workers rose to the occasion as well. Many chose to stay on the job long beyond their scheduled shifts, leaving their own family members at home and suppressing their panic to help their clients get through that terrifying experience. Read more. |
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Direct from Washington, D.C.
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 Letter Urges Congress to Oppose the Working Families Flexibility Act: Direct Care Alliance has signed on to a letter to members of the U.S. Congress, urging them to oppose the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R.1406). The bill would affect workers in the private sector--including direct care workers--who work overtime and are covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, by providing the option of compensatory time off (comp time) instead of overtime pay. However, it does not guarantee workers the flexibility they need to take their preferred method of compensation when they want it, and it leaves them vulnerable to certain kinds of abuse and coercion. National, state and local groups are encouraged to sign on to the letter by May 2, and to share it with other interested organizations. Individuals may sign this letter.
Bed Rail Petition Filed: On April 25, the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, along with the Consumer Federation of America, bed rail activist Gloria Black and 60 other national and state organizations--including Direct Care Alliance--filed a petition urging the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect older adults and people with disabilities from dangerous bed rails. Individuals are encouraged to sign a separate petition addressed to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. |
Direct Care Workers Form DCA Chapter in Houston Area
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 | | Co-chair Lucille Daniels |
 | | Co-chair Valda Spence |
A new regional chapter of Direct Care Alliance was formed last week when a group of Houston-area direct care workers came together to launch the Greater Houston Direct Care Alliance for Direct Care Workers. The group's next meeting will be in mid-June, according to co-chair Lucille Daniels, who works at an adult day center and provides home care. "Our biggest focus is the direct care workers who have very little pay and no benefits--no health insurance or paid time off. We also want to work on Medicaid expansion." The group also plans to invite guest speakers to some of its meetings, she says. Read more.
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The Direct Care Alliance is the national advocacy voice of direct care workers in long-term care. We empower workers to speak out for better wages, benefits, respect, and working conditions, so more people can commit to direct care as a career. We also convene powerful allies nationwide to build consensus for change.
If you have comments on this issue of The Direct Care News or ideas for future issues, please contact Elise Nakhnikian at 646-823-7434, enakhnikian@directcarealliance.org. |
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