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NADSP Endorses The Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act of 2010

On July 28, Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez from California announced the introduction of the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act, a bill that will help create a more stable, valued direct care workforce and improve the quality of care and quality of life for millions of Americans. This bill is intended to assist all workers who provide direct support to people with all types of disabilities, as well as people who are aging and in need of supports.

NADSP applauds Congresswoman Sanchez for proposing a legislative solution to some of the most pressing issues facing the direct support workforce. NADSP joins the Direct Care Alliance in supporting this important bill. The Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act extends wage and overtime protections to home care workers; improves data collection and workforce monitoring; and provides grants to states to improve direct care workforce recruitment and retention practices.

Our voices and those of our colleagues who work in other service systems have been heard! Congresswoman Sanchez has listened, learned from our stories, and was inspired to take action. Shouldn't your Representative do the same? Please contact your Representative and ask that they become original co-sponsors of this exciting new bill today! To find out how to contact your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor this new bill, you can go to www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml. We will keep you informed on the progress of this bill in the NADSP eFlash email newsletters, and here on the NADSP website.

Read NADSP's summary of this important legislation (PDF)

Read the current draft of the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act of 2010 (PDF)

View a video of Congresswoman Sanchez announcing the bill