Come and Join Us!

Clients rallying to protest budget cuts.

UDW encourages the participation of IHSS clients in all aspects of our work. In many ways clients can be the best spokespersons for the program as well as for their providers. UDW has client representatives involved on many levels; they have been invited to participate in Negotiations Committees and Labor Management Committees, and to attend our rallies, community meetings, and conventions. IHSS consumers speak very effectively at legislative hearings and before political representatives, putting a face to the people that are helped by the IHSS program.

How to Get Involved

We understand that it is sometimes difficult for these members of our community to travel. The UDW website is a place where people who are confined to their homes a great deal of the time can meet with us, find out what is going on, and get involved. This website is also a place for IHSS consumers to find resources; like how to find a homecare provider or an advocate, or where to learn more about the rules that govern your IHSS hours. See Client Resources

Activist for disability rights speaks out to crowd and reporters at large rally in Los Angeles, protesting budget cuts to the IHSS program.

Your voice can make a difference!!

It is up to the entire IHSS community to fight to protect our program. We cannot just hope that legislators will “do the right thing” or rely on someone else to write a letter or attend a rally. We must all get actively involved. As a client advocate, you can help: write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, talk with your legislators or speak before your county Board of Supervisors about why IHSS is critically important for you and your community.

Statewide Rallies

It is important to let legislators know that the lives of IHSS consumers are literally on the line, and that cuts in the program can make a life and death difference.

Consumers & providers outside the County Board of Supervisors during a rally for increased provider wages & benefits.

Local Actions

Consumers of IHSS helped win the last Riverside County contract negotiations. Both providers and consumers spoke before the Board of Supervisors during public session, creating an effective voice for IHSS and helping to win a good contract for their providers

SHARE YOUR PERSONAL STORY WITH US

How does IHSS help you and your family?

Are you willing to help save the program?

We are looking for stories from IHSS consumers and their care providers. Your stories put a “personal” face on the IHSS program and can be very effective weapons in our fight to save IHSS. Recent budget reductions, lawsuits, confusing instructions and new requirements have caused enormous stress and hardship for many Californians using the IHSS program. We would like to know if you’ve suffered difficulty hiring the provider of your choice due to new restrictions. Have you been victimized by unannounced home visits or other problems resulting from aggressive anti-fraud investigations? Have you experienced difficulties obtaining information crucial to your eligibility (such as your Functional Index Score)?

If you wish, we will ONLY share your story with state legislators in order to persuade them about the importance of IHSS. However, if you approve, we will also share it with the community through the media or on our website.

If you are willing to describe how IHSS impacts your life, please fill out our story form and send by email or regular mail. Stories should include your contact information and signature.

By email: webmaster@udwa.org

or surface mail:
UDW Homecare Providers Union
2760 5th Ave. Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92103

Call if you have questions:
(619) 621-5016