The Direct Care News 
For direct care workers and their allies August 27, 2013
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DCA Participates in Listening Session with DOL Secretary Perez
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 | | Jessica Brill Ortiz |
On August 19, I participated in a listening session with U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez on the topic of the Department of Labor's proposed rule to extend minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The session was an opportunity for worker and consumer advocates to share their position on the proposed regulations with the new Secretary, as well as other Department of Labor staff and representatives from the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget.
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Direct from Washington, D.C.
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Some Congressional Republicans Urge Defunding of Health Care Reform Law: Some Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate are calling for the defunding of the health care reform law (also known as Obamacare). A recent letter from 80 Republican Representatives to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) calls for the defunding of the law as part of a government funding bill. In addition, Defund Obamacare, a pledge to oppose any government funding that includes funding the health care reform law, has 14 Republican signatures in the Senate. Obamacare is an extremely important law that makes health care more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of direct care workers. Learn more.
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Join Me in Thanking David for His Service to DCA
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 | | Carla D. Washington |
After four years at Direct Care Alliance, David Ward will leave at the end of this month. Please join me in wishing David all the best in his future endeavors and thanking him for all that he has done for our organization and the movement to improve direct care jobs.
While at DCA, David led our campaign in support of federal minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers. He established himself as an expert on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the new health care law that will extend coverage to thousands of direct care workers, leading the effort to launch our new Get Direct Care Workers Covered campaign. He provided strategic leadership and support for DCA's organizing, advocacy and credentialing programs and worked tirelessly with DCA's constituents, policymakers and other advocates to advance DCA's policy agenda. Read more from Carla.
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Celebrate Grandparents Day with Caring Across
| For so many of us, our grandparents have a special place in our hearts--they take care of us when we are kids, love us unconditionally, and give us valuable advice as we grow older. This Grandparents Day, let's give back and show them how much we care!
Grandparents Day is fast approaching on September 8. How will you celebrate? Caring Across Generations, a coalition whose leadership team includes DCA, is organizing a Grandparents Day celebration. We hope you will join us. Learn more.
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Quick Links
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Direct from the Headlines
| As The Nation's Bryce Covert reminds us, extending Fair Labor Standards Act rights to all--including home care workers--was part of the dream that drew hundreds of thousands of peaceful protestors to the March on Washington, 50 years ago tomorrow.
A new Eldercare Workforce Alliance issue brief lays out ways to improve long-term care financing and better support the direct care workforce.
What direct care workers already know about cultural diversity in elder care, and what we all need to learn.
A Michigan mother of a child with disabilities explains how low direct care workers wages hurt families like hers.
A new report says OSHA is "failing to fulfill its obligation to provide adequate protection" to health care workers.
Upcoming events:- Join ANCOR in celebrating National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, September 8-14.
- The HHS Partnership Center will host a free one-hour webinar September 10 at 4 p.m. ET on the main provisions in the new health care reform law and how to access care in your community. Register in advance.
- The Direct Services Workers Resource Center is hosting a free webinar tomorrow from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET on how to support workers and family caregivers in participant-directed home care programs. Register in advance. The call-in number is 866-233-3841, passcode 297173.
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