Our apologies for the double mailing of today's Direct Care News. Due to a technical problem experienced by our email marketing service, none of the links in Direct from the Headlines worked in the edition we sent out this morning.

The Direct Care News     transparent logo, white type
For direct care workers and their allies
 
November 5, 2013
Report from the Field: Legislators Listen in New Mexico
Adrienne Smith (L) with
State Rep. Kelly Fajardo
The New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition (NMDCC) is hosting a series of listening sessions for family and professional caregivers, care recipients, friends and family members of caregivers and advocates of people with disabilities and those who are elderly. The sessions bring these constituents together with their elected representatives to share their thoughts and experiences, and to discuss how the state could better support care recipients and their caregivers.

Two sessions were hosted in mid-October, both led by state representatives. On October 12, State Representative Kelly Fajardo (R-Belen) asked attendees in Los Lunas to share their comments concerning minimum education and training requirements for professional caregivers. On October 19, Representative Fajardo and State Senator Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque) asked the same question of attendees in Albuquerque. Read more from Adrienne Smith.   
Direct from Washington, D.C.
Capitol HIll
Bill to Reauthorize Older Americans Act Progresses in U.S. Senate: On October 30, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S.1562) passed with full bipartisan support in a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. The Older Americans Act plays a primary role in the social and nutrition services available for older adults, including in the long-term services and supports arena. Next, the reauthorization bill will be considered by the full Senate.

Nutrition Assistance Program Cut: On October 31, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps) was automatically reduced when additional funds provided under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expired. The U.S. Congress has not yet agreed on a new budget for SNAP and is continuing to negotiate about the program and additional cuts. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to more than 47 million low-income individuals, including many direct care workers and their families. Learn more.  
Poem for Direct Care Alliance
David Moreau 
David Moreau, a direct care worker and a DCA board member, read this poem during a recent conference call hosted by DCA to celebrate the final rule that extends Fair Labor Standards Act protections to home care workers.

I have helped you bathe and helped you eat.
I have helped you take your meds and get back on your feet.
I have taken your vital signs and listened to your stories.
I have made it possible for you to stay in your home.

Read more from David Moreau. 
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Direct from the Headlines
The Department of Labor has begun hosting the webinars on the new home care rule that were delayed by the temporary shutdown of the government. Sign up to join the one in your region--or listen online if it has already been hosted. If you have already attended a webinar, please give us your feedback and suggestions to pass on to DOL

Check out infographics, fact sheets, and more about long-term care on The Scan Foundation's website.

Download PowerPoint slides for a session on how to improve the quality of care by strengthening the direct care workforce, from a session led by DCA's Jessica Brill Ortiz, Sara Cirba of Consumer Voice and PHI's Gail MacInnes at the annual Consumer Voice conference on October 25.

Maine's decision not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is hurting hardworking citizens like this home care worker. 

Ohioans are looking at the need for more and better training for home care workers.

Confusion over DC's living wage law may be leaving home care workers and others underpaid.
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 or enakhnikian@directcarealliance.org.