BOSTON, MA – Last month, personal care attendants from across Massachusetts gathered at the union hall in Dorchester to discuss, plan, and implement goals for 2013.



A key goal for PCAs in 2013 is the passage of legislation that will help increase revenue in Massachusetts. Given that 100 percent of the funding for the PCA program is from the state, it is vital that PCAs advocate with legislators to ensure enough revenue can be raised to not only fund the PCA program, but also fund other public services that we all use such as infrastructure (roads, bridges, sewage systems), public education, and healthcare services like Medicaid, Medicare, and state-funded health insurance.



Legislation to establish an orientation program for PCAs was also another topic that was discussed by the group. A PCA orientation program would require homecare workers to participate in a training on independent living principles, addressing fraud and abuse, and workers’ rights and responsibilities.



Participants also discussed establishing a clear infrastructure for PCA leaders to communicate with other union members throughout the union. This will help to unify PCAs and help them keep the union strong.



“[The training] was good. I learned the importance of being a delegate for our union. I learned that we are becoming stronger, day by day,” said Ana Matos, a PCA from Lawrence. -