Announcements:
We need your help, Direct Care Workers! Share your voice and experience in the new Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC).
Join DCWC today! Nominate yourself or someone else by filling out the DCWC Nomination Form. Spots are limited.
Direct Care Workforce Collaborative
The Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) is a group created by the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). The purpose of the group is to give a voice to caregivers across the state. This meeting lets caregivers talk about the benefits and challenges of providing direct care and give feedback about proposals that will affect them. Involvement helps with recruitment and retention efforts, improves work-culture. It gives direct care workers the chance to talk about the policies and practices that impact them and those they care for.
Who Should Join
The DCWC group will have about 15 members. This includes Home Care Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Individual Providers who help older adults and people will disabilities work and live where they want-like individual homes, assisted living facilities, nursing facilities, and adult family homes.
What
The DCWC will be responsible for providing feedback to and partnering with ALTSA as we develop recommendations and policies regarding:
- Improving job quality of caregivers
- Helping people see the value of caregivers
- Hiring new caregivers
- Keeping caregivers
- Caregiver training
- Career growth
- Data gathering and analysis
- Regulations
- Caregiver supports
- Programs and services for clients that affect caregivers
- New programs and technologies
When
We will begin our work in November 2023 with our first meeting. This meeting will celebrate the workgroup and explain what comes next. In 2024, DCWC members will attend six meetings each year. Meetings will be in February, April, June, August, October, and December (as needed). All meetings will be virtual using Microsoft Teams. There will also be a call-in option.
Membership Benefits
There are many benefits for joining the DCW Collaborative, including:
- Meeting other caregivers.
- Learning about new training and career growth
- The chance to give your opinions on policies that positively impact caregivers, older adults, and people with disabilities across Washington.
How to Participate
Nominate yourself or someone else by filling out the DCWC Nomination Form. Spots are limited. We will review nominations on October 9th, 2023 until spots are filled. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
More Information
If you have additional questions or need assistance, please contact Nicole Dronen at nicole.dronen@dshs.wa.gov.
ALTSA values the diverse caregiver experience. We are committed to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion. ALTSA staff will give DCWC members accommodations and supports to attend each meeting.