VOICES FOR CHANGE

Direct-Care Workers Speak Out: Third Annual Paraprofessional Assembly

This year’s event, Voices for Change: Direct-Care Workers Speak Out, focused on building leadership and advocacy skills. Conference facilitators Maria Elena del Valle and Joannie pumped up the energy and created community through song, dance, and art. They were joined by Niyonu Spann and Tribe One, whose original songs helped attendees to celebrate the great work that all of the Network’s home health aides and nursing assistants do every day.

Highlights of this year’s assembly included a keynote address by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, an economist, writer, and commentator who is known for her sharp insights and quick wit; a screening of HeartWork, PHI’s new video celebrating the work and lives of direct-care workers; skill-building workshops; and a night of song, poetry, and dance. Malveaux’s inspirational address focused on the importance of the “invisible” workers, and making sure that the voices of direct-care workers are heard in Washington, DC.

At the workshops, participants learned about Capitol Hill and how to make the strongest case forimproving direct-care jobs and the quality of care for our clients. The members of the Direct Care Workers Advocacy Group who had already begun to take a more active role in policy discussions at their agencies helped those with less experience learn how to make their case to policymakers.

A planned briefing on Capitol Hill was cancelled due to the anthrax scare and the closing of the Senate office building.

To find out more about PHI’s annual paraprofessional assembly or our Direct Care Workers Advocacy Group, please contact Peggy Powell, Director of Workforce Strategies, mailto:peggy@paraprofessional.org.