:

Orange County — UDW Stands with Wisconsin Workers!

UDW Organizer Ly Nguyen, Christine Nguyen Chapter Chair, Member Silvia Briseno and her daughter/recipient Berenice Briseno

On Thursday evening, February 24th, UDW hosted a candlelight vigil that was held in front of the State Office Building in Santa Ana.  Homecare providers, clients, family, UDW staff,  and other supporters came to  stand in solidarity for the workers of Wisconsin.   UDW President Laura Reyes also attended and spoke to the crowd. 

“Federal law has allowed workers to form unions. Attacks on workers’ basic rights have been sweeping the country and we must stand together to ensure it doesn’t happen here!”

See video of President Reyes, talking to the crowd Read the rest of this entry »

Budget Conference Committee meets on IHSS issues, February 28 2011

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT
#060-2011  – FEBRUARY 28, 2011 – MONDAY

State Budget Crisis:

BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY AFTER SENATE FLOOR SESSION – PROBABLY AFTER 2:30 PM

Critical Issues Remain for 10 Member Conference Committee To Resolve Including Governor’s Proposal to Eliminate Adult Day Health Care, Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), Realignment of Several State Programs to the Counties – No Developmental Service Budget Items Left on Conference Agenda

  Read the rest of this entry »

Affordable Care Act Supports States in Strengthening Community Living

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 22, 2011		 Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – HHS.gov

Nationally, $4.3 Billion in New Funds Announced to Help Establish and Expand Community-based Alternatives to Institutional Long Term Care

States will see significant new federal support in their efforts to help move Medicaid beneficiaries out of institutions and into their own homes or other community settings now and in the near future, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. Read the rest of this entry »

UDW President Laura Reyes speaks at solidarity vigil in Orange County

Candlelight vigils were held across the state to show solidarity with workers in Wisconsin.  UDW President Laura Reyes spoke at the vigil in Orange County Read the rest of this entry »

“UDW Woman Takes Charge” — Riverside member spotlighted in national AFSCME publication

UDW Riverside member organizer and home care provider, Blanca Quintero

Women comprise 56 percent of AFSCME’s 1.6 million members. Their activism and leadership have been critical to our union’s strength and success. Through leadership programs – and this year’s women’s conferences – the national union is equipping women with the tools and knowledge they’ll need to make a difference in our union, the labor movement and our nation. Here are the stories of five activists who are doing their part to build AFSCME’s power and confront the challenges ahead. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing the fight for freedom

State Budget Protesters - click for more photos.

By Gerald W. McEntee, February 23, 2010
Journal Sentinel Online 

The tens of thousands of Wisconsinites who have marched and protested at the state Capitol and throughout the state this past week are American heroes. It is not often in this country that thousands gather to fight for the dignity and the rights of their fellow citizens. Yet for days now, workers and their families, students and retirees, clergy and businessmen, LGBT activists and veterans have joined together to have their voices heard. The people of the Badger State are making history happen. Read the rest of this entry »

Placer County at Candlelight Vigil in Sacramento

UDW members from Placer County joined with protesters from all over the state in the Candlelight Vigil held in Sacramento Tuesday, February 22, to demonstrate solidarity with Wisconsin workers.

More photos Read the rest of this entry »

Candlelight Vigil in Sacramento: UDW Stands Strong with Wisconsin Workers

Thousands of union members and supporters,  including UDW members from as far away as Modesto, Merced and Santa Barbara, sent a message of solidarity to public employees in Wisconsin at a candlelight vigil at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Read the rest of this entry »

Federal Government Releases Proposed Regulations On New Medicaid “Community First Option” Program

CDCAN Disability Rights Report ”#054-2011  – FEBRUARY 22, 2011 – TUESDAY

State Budget Crisis:  Federal Government Releases Proposed Regulations On New Medicaid “Community First Option” Program

New Program Under Federal “Affordable Care Act” Seen In California As Way To Avoid Major Cut To IHSS Program By Tapping Into $4.3 Billion In New Federal Dollars To Help & Establish Community-Based Alternatives to Institutional Long Term Care – Could Help Other CA Health Programs Read the rest of this entry »

Wisconsin Protests: Tens Of Thousands Turn Out In Madison Against Anti-Union Proposal

Huffington Post February 22, 2011;  Protests in Wisconsin continue to surge Friday, even as reports from Thursday evening claimed as many as 25,000 demonstrators had taken to the state’s capitol building in Madison. Residents are turning out in droves to oppose a bill they view as an anti-union effort that would infringe on the rights of state workers, proposed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker.  Read Article »

San Diego BOS Honors Homecare Providers with a Proclamation

Feb. 18, 2011 – In honor of Homecare Providers, San Diego Board of Supervisors presented  a Proclamation to UDW-Homecare providers.  This was also San Diego Chapter’s first annual membership meeting. The presentation took place at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon, CA  –> Click here for additional photos!

Assembly & Senate outcomes on IHSS Budget Issues

Sacramento, February 18, 2011–
Thanks to your hard work – your phone calls and faxes, your lobbying and trips to Sacramento–UDW was able to achieve an important early victory on the state budget.  The Assembly Budget Committee voted to reject most of the proposed cuts to IHSS.  Though we still have a long way to go before a final vote on the budget takes place, this first key vote was a testament to your political power.  Final votes will be taken very soon – as early as this week — so please keep calling, writing and emailing your legislators.  Complete outcomes for recent action detailed below.
See IHSS Coalition Overview for additional information. Read the rest of this entry »

Final Budget Committee Hearings Today

CDCAN Disability Rights   Report #051-2011  – FEBRUARY 18, 2011 – FRIDAY
Also see CDCAN Report # 049-2011, Thursday, February 17 for IHSS detail

Assembly Budget Committee Staff Recommends Rolling Back Regional Center $750 Million Cut By About $226 Million In Action Nearly Identical To Senate

Both Senate and Assembly Budget Committees Meet Upon Adjournment of Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions Sometime After 09:30 AM – Next Week Budget Conference Committee Acts On Unresolved Issues and Then Full Assembly and State Senate Vote On Entire Budget Package Read the rest of this entry »

Assembly Budget Committee Subcommittee Report shows actions full committee will take on February 18th

CDCAN Disability Rights  Report #049-2011  – FEBRUARY 17, 2011 – THURSDAY

Some Recommended Cuts Similar to Senate Budget Committee Actions – Some IHSS Cuts Recommended for Rejection – Some Major Differences In Developmental Services Overall Reduction Recommended  – Medi-Cal Actions Largely Would Be the Same As Senate Budget Committee Read the rest of this entry »

Riverside: free class for caregivers

Rancho Mirage, Friday February 25
ATTENTION:  Homecare Workers, Baby Boomers, Families with recently diagnosed loved ones;  Are you assisting in the care of a parent, grandparent or other older adult?  Statistically 25% of all workers provide care in some degree for someone 65 or older. 

  • Do you need resources as you are immersed in the Caregiver role?
  • Are you aware of the long term cost of eldercare?
  • Do you have advance directives for yourself, your spouse or your parents?
  • Who is eligible for long term care assistance if they need to enter a nursing home? 
  • Are you stressed or depressed while juggling the challenges of work and eldercare?

The Riverside County Office on Aging, partnering with the Inland Counties Caregiver Coalition is hosting a Free Workshop For Family Caregivers in Rancho Mirage on Friday, February 25, 2011. 

Please see the flyer for details. 

Study released today shows that avoiding unnecessary hospitalization is one way homecare SAVES taxpayer dollars

What a Difference a Day Makes

The California Discharge Planning Cooperative released the following two part report today (February 15, 2011) that estimates, “Cutting Avoidable Hospital Readmissions in California by Just One Day Could Save Medicare and Medi-Cal $227 Million.”  The report suggests that part of the savings be used to fund IHSS.

Part 1: Summary Report

Part 2: What Must Be Done

Legislature Poised to Take Action This Week

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMITTEES POISED TO TAKE FINAL ACTION ON MOST OF GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL BY END OF THIS WEEK; BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK

  • No Public Testimony Will Be Taken Because Issues Previously Heard
  • Budget Conference Committee Meets Likely Early Next Week
  • Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee To Meet Wednesday (Feb 16) on Medi-Cal, Healthy Families – Thursday (Feb 17) on Human Services, Other Health Programs  – Friday (Feb 18) on Revenues, Redevelopment, Education, Realignment 
  • Assembly Budget Committee Set To Meet Only On Friday (Feb 18) On All “Open” Issues Including Medi-Cal, Regional Centers, Mental Health, IHSS, SSI/SSP, CalWORKS

  Read the rest of this entry »

Legislative analyst identifies massive cuts if taxes fail

Sacramento Bee February 14, 2011
If lawmakers pursue a cuts-only budget to solve the state’s $26.6 billion deficit, they could eliminate class-size reduction, require that kindergarten students be 5 years old at enrollment and hike university tuition by another 7 to 10 percent, according to a new review by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office Read the rest of this entry »

PEOPLE’S VOICE Merced community outreach program

L-R Maria R. Corie Crowson, Diane M. Jeanette J. Delois Hamilton , Jeanette Jankowski (chair of committee)Delois Hamilton , Jeanette Jankowski ( chair of committee )

UDW Providers volunteered their time to make resident valentine’s cards for their “ADOPT A GRANPARENT” program. A total of 70 handmade cards were hand made specially for the seniors at Country Villa. These will be delivered on Valentine’s day. Merced county providers wanted to show the community that UDW has HEART!

More photos…

Read the rest of this entry »

Over 1,000 Pack Hearing Rooms in Sacramento

CALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK: #039-2011  – FEBRUARY 11, 2011  FRIDAY

THOUSANDS AT STATE CAPITOL HEARING AND LA RALLY PROTEST GOVERNOR’S BUDGET CUTS TO REGIONAL CENTERS & OTHER HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AS LEGISLATURE MOVES CLOSER TO TAKING FINAL ACTION SOON

Over 1,000 Pack Hearing Rooms, Overflow Rooms and Hallways At State Capitol for Senate Budget Subcommittee 6 Hour Hearing on Governor’s Proposed $750 Million Reduction in General Fund Spending for Regional Centers & Other Developmental Services – Over 1,000 Show Up At Los Angeles Rally At State Building To Protest Cuts  Read the rest of this entry »

San Diego rally brings out community support for IHSS

Click to see more photos from the San Diego Rally

En español -(February 9) — Home care recipients and providers from across San Diego County rallied here this morning to voice their concerns about proposed cuts in the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) homecare program.

Read the rest of this entry »

IHSS Provider Terry Walker — “God has the last word”

Terry Walker, a homecare provider from Stanislaus County is face-to-face everyday with clients that will suffer terrible consequences if the cuts go through.  She also works in an institution for Alzheimer patients and knows what it is like when people are placed in these facilities.  She wants to let legislators know they are making a big mistake if they allow the proposed cuts to be implemented:  Read the rest of this entry »

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin highlights impact of cuts to IHSS

Caregivers, clients: IHSS cuts will hurt

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, February 7, 2011
Patricia Crouch’s hands shake.   She sometimes has trouble opening pill bottles. She needs help bathing, dressing and cooking.  “Getting clothes out of the closet is hard, more than anything else,” said Crouch, an 82-year-old Fontana resident who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago. “It’s hard to get the clothes off the hangers.” Read the rest of this entry »

Statehouse Insider: Senators rally for in-home care

The potential elimination of redevelopment agencies is dominating local attention, but three of the desert’s lawmakers are raising awareness for other programs on the state budget chopping block.

Sen. Juan Vargas last week organized a rally on the Capitol steps to protest proposed cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program. Read the rest of this entry »

IHSS Consumer Kelly Alameida Speaks Out

Kelly and her provider made the effort to travel to Sacramento from Placer County on January 27th to protest cuts to IHSS.  She talked with us near the steps of the capitol during the rally.  Here is what she had to say…

Read the rest of this entry »