The Direct Care News 
For direct care workers and their allies November 19, 2013
|
|
Give the Gift of Respect and Recognition - Give a DCA Membership
|
 She helps your mother bathe and dress every morning, careful to let her do whatever she can on her own. He sings songs with your son at the activity center, making him laugh like no one else can. When a blizzard caused a power outage and closed the roads, they stayed beyond their shifts so your clients or residents wouldn't be left alone. Your wife has done this job for 20 years. You know her consumers appreciate her, but you wish you could show her how important she is to the community, even if most people don't seem to understand or respect her work. They are home health aides, certified nursing assistants, personal care attendants, direct support professionals--the direct care workers in your life. This holiday season, show them how much you respect and appreciate them: Give them a Direct Care Alliance membership. Read more.
|
|
Direct from Washington, D.C.
|
U.S. House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on FLSA Home Care Final Rule: The Subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on the final home care rule that extends federal minimum wage, overtime and other pay protections to most of the country's 2.5 million home care workers. The hearing, which is titled "Redefining Companion Care: Jeopardizing Access to Affordable Care for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities," incorrectly frames the winning of basic workplace protections as a threat to consumers. Watch a live webcast of the hearing and stay tuned to this newsletter to learn more about how you can help ensure that the regulations are not derailed by Congress.
DCA Signs Letter in Support of Nutrition Assistance Program: Direct Care Alliance and more than 130 other national organizations have signed a letter urging a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives to oppose cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps). The legislators, known as the Farm Bill conferees, are seeking a compromise between the House Farm Bill, which includes $40 billion in SNAP cuts over ten years, and the Senate version, which includes $4 billion in SNAP cuts over the same time period. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to more than 47 million low-income individuals, including many direct care workers and their families. Learn more.
|
Through the Eyes of the Legally Blind: Helping You Help Us
|
 | | Vynaska Corriere |
In the last decade, organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind have established numerous services and resources to help people who, like me, are legally blind. Braille reading materials, voice-activated applications for computers, cell phones and e-books, sound activated walk signals at busy intersections and other tools help us with important functions like reading, writing and travel--yet many of us continue to struggle with social and community needs.
I'd like to share some of my experiences and my thoughts about how family members and direct care workers can better support those needs for the people they live or work with. Read more from Vynaska Corriere.
|
|
Get Direct Care Workers Covered
|
 What if I already have health insurance but I'd prefer something else?If you're dissatisfied with your coverage, your options depend on whether you receive insurance through your employer or union, or whether you've purchased it on your own. If you've purchased it on your own (this includes COBRA coverage), you can drop that coverage and find something else on the exchange. Chances are, you'll be able to find a more affordable and higher quality plan through the New York State of Health. Read the rest of our answer to this question--along with other questions and answers about obtaining insurance through New York state's new healthcare exchange--on our new FAQ page.
|
|
