There's been increased attention to issues affecting working families since the President's State of the Union address--and that means an important opportunity to get those issues on Congress's agenda. And few things are more important to direct care workers and their families than being able to take paid family and medical leave when a new child arrives or when serious illness strikes.
At the end of last year, Congress introduced a groundbreaking bill: the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act of 2013, otherwise known as the FAMILY Act.
Direct Care Alliance is a proud member of a strong coalition that is working hard to advance this historic legislation.
But the bill needs cosponsors, and that's why we are emailing you: We need you to urge one of your senators to cosponsor the FAMILY Act. Senators are meeting this week to discuss their priorities and messaging for the year, so there's no better time than today to let your representative know that paid family and medical leave is important to you.
Please take three minutes to help with this important issue by calling or emailing your senator.
- To call, just dial your senator (202.224.6542 for New York Senator Chuck Schumer, 202.224.2621 for Washington Senator Patty Murray, 202.224.2152 for Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois or 202.224.4822 for Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, depending on where you live.) Tell the staff person who answers the phone your name, that you are a member of Direct Care Alliance and the city where you live. Say that you urge the senator to make America's families a top priority by co-sponsoring the FAMILY Act (S.1810), which advances paid family and medical leave. (Feel free to personalize your request with a quick sentence or two about why this issue is important to you). Please don't forget to thank the staff person for their time.
- To email, click on this link, fill in your contact information, personalize your message if you have time, and press send.
Thank you for your time and your advocacy. Stay tuned for more ways to raise your voice on this and other issues that matter to direct care workers! Sincerely, 
Jessica Brill Ortiz
National Advocacy Director
Direct Care Alliance
P.S. Want to do even more? Here are three things you can do to help. - Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to get involved by forwarding this email to them.
- Like DCA on Facebook and/or follow DCA on Twitter to receive breaking news and action alerts.
- Share your story. Did you ever need time off for a serious illness, a new baby or a sick family member, but couldn't take it? Was there a time that you, a family member or friend benefited from paid family or medical leave? If so, we want to hear about it! Please call DCA's Elise Nakhnikian at 646.823.7434 or email her to tell us about your experience.
|
