summer 2015 caregiver

In my time as President of UDW, I have met so many amazing and inspiring homecare providers. Weve talked about clients, our lives, and our hopes for the future. I am often asked many questions about our union, the ins and outs of IHSS, and more. I wanted to make sure you know about an important resource available to members of UDW our Member Benefits Center.

Editha Adams (right), IHSS provider and UDW statewide president

For the full presidents report, go to www.udwa.org.

After more than two years of fighting to restore the homecare program in California, UDW providers and our clients were victorious.

In June, lawmakers passed a budget that ended the 7% cut to IHSS hours starting on July 1, 2015. The unfair cuts that hurt our clients and families are over for now.

Our next step: join together to make sure the cuts are ended permanently. Read more inside.

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115800-621-5016

facebook.com/UDW

42 3 VICTORY! How we ended the 7% cut to IHSSA HELPING HAND UDW brings caregivers together to support one another NEED HELP WITH IHSS? Get answers and assistance from UDW

Lawmakers vote to restore IHSS hours in 2015 after we stood up for homecare.

Stay updated with the latest news at www.udwa.org!

Lawmakers end the 7% cut to IHSS hours

3

Victory!

As a union member, you have access to the UDW Member Benefits Center. Staff can answer your questions and direct you to additional resources. Whether you are unsure of what to do when your client is hospitalized, have questions about medical and dental benefits, or want to know more about the issues facing homecare providers the UDW Member Benefits Center can help with these questions and more:

Ineedhelppreparingforanassessment,orgettingmyclientmorehoursofcare.CanUDWhelp?

Ibelievemyclientshourswereunfairlycut.IsthereanythingIcandotogetthemrestored?

WhereismyIHSStimesheetorpaycheck?

AmIeligibleforanymedicalordentalbenefits?

HowdoIfindaneworadditionalIHSSclient?

DoesUDWofferprovidersanytraining?

Arethereanyservicesinmycountythatcanhelpmyfamilyduringafinancialhardship?

Myclientisinthehospital,whichmeansImnotbeingpaid.WhatcanIdo?

You can contact MBC anytime from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-621-5016 or online at www.udwa.org/contact. We are here to help!

Call the UDW Member Benefits CenterNeed help?

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Getting more IHSS hours In 10 years as a provider,Ivelearnedalot about IHSS, which is why I got involved withUDWsAdvocacyCouncil in my county. We are caregivers

who help caregivers navigate IHSS. I once helped a young man taking care of his mother appeal a bad assessment. Together we got all of her hours reinstated! We are fighting for our clients, so we need to fight for each other, too.

Teresa SwickKern County

AttheheartofUDWishelpingwhetheritsstandingupfortherightsofhomecareclients,volunteering in the community, or lending a hand to a fellow homecare provider in need. Our union is a place where people can come together to give and receive.

To volunteer or get involved, contact your local UDW office or call us at 1-800-621-5016.

2

UDW brings people together to help providers and community members in need

Bringing new caregivers to IHSS When my former IHSS client, Jeanie, needed help becoming a homecare provider, Isteppedin.Jeaniescompassion for people is unmatched,

making her perfect for homecare. I took her to the IHSS office in El Dorado County, walked her through the process, and helped her find a client. I know when we help each other, we serve our clients better. As caregivers, we are a team, and we have to stick together.

Lisa ScottEl Dorado County

Standing up for IHSS clients When my son was diagnosed with autism, I quit my job to care for him full-time. After a rough experience getting my son approved

by IHSS, I began helping other parents asapartofmycountysUDWAdvocacyCouncil.Beingyourchildshomecareprovider can be tough, and the stress of having to navigate IHSS exacerbates our frustrations. If I have even an hour to help a caregiver get IHSS for their child, I will do it.

Theresa SaidMerced County

Feeding families in San Diego I volunteer to distribute food to homecare providers and community members at UDWsfooddrive

in San Diego. I know the feeling of being unable to feed your family every night. There were times when mypaycheckwasntenoughtobuygroceries for my family, and the food drive helped me. It is important for caregivers to help each other, because we spend so much time helping others.

Maria EspinozaSan Diego County

4

As homecare providers, we are no strangers when it comes to making sure that our loved ones and clients get the services they deserve. And in the face of unjust treatment, we will stand up and fight even if it takes years to win.

Caseinpoint:thesix-year-longbattleovercutstoCaliforniasIn-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS). In June, lawmakers finally voted to restore IHSS hours and end a 7% cut, marking a historic victory for homecare providers and our clients.

This victory comes after a multi-year campaign by homecare providers, clients, and our union.

Week after week, we met with legislators in their offices at the Capitol and told our stories. We explained how the 7% cut was hurting our clients and our families. We reminded lawmakers of the importance of a fully-funded homecare program for Californiasseniorsandpeoplewithdisabilities.

The7%cutnegativelyimpactedmyclientswell-being,saidIHSSprovider Adrian Hardy of Plumas County. A cut in her hours of care meant less interaction and socialization, which are important for people with autism. I fought to restore IHSS because it is about quality of life and human dignity.

Our clients stood with us throughout the fight, and shared their

own stories, too putting a human face to these unfair cuts.

I have a lot of medical problems, said Adele Burris, a 72-year-old IHSS client in El Dorado County. Without IHSS, I would have to be in a nursing home and that would cost the statealotmore.Ifwedontinvestinhomecare,IHSSclientswill have trouble finding providers and getting quality care.

In the weeks leading up to the deadline for final budget approval, homecare providers revved up the campaign, delivering thousands of petition signatures to Governor Brownsoffice.InJune,wecheeredthenewsthatlawmakersvoted to restore IHSS hours as of July 1, 2015.

Butthefightisntoveryet.Inthebudgetagreeduponbylegislators and the governor, the 7% cut was ended for one year. We will not settle for a temporary fix, and will continue to fight until cuts to IHSS are ended once and for all.

Governor Brown has called for a special legislative session to secure a new, on-going source of funding for social service programs like IHSS. As always, UDW members will be there to ensure that the voices of homecare clients and providers are heard.

HOMECARE WORKERS CELEBRATE VICTORY IN FIGHT TO RESTORE IHSS HOURS.PROTECTING HOMECARE TOGETHER

THE ROAD TO RESTORING CARE

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend minimum wage and overtime protections tothenationstwomillionhomecareprovidersgivingIHSSprovidersachance to earn time and a half overtime pay for the first time in history.

But when a federal judge stopped the new rules from going into effect in

early 2015, the Brown administration announced it would not pay IHSS providers overtime.

UDW stands firm that IHSS providers have the right to overtime pay like all American workers, and that labor protection laws should be implemented without reducing any hours of support for clients.

On May 7, 2015, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments about whether the DOL had the right to extend basic labor protections to homecare workers. We are expecting a decision at any time and are hopefulthatthelowercourtsrulingwillbeoverturned.Be on the lookout for overtime updates from UDW at www.udwa.org.

THE LATEST NEWS ON

OVERTIME PAY

Homecare unions and our allies file lawsuits in federal court to stop proposed cuts. A judge issues a preliminary injunction stopping the cuts on the basis that they would cause incredible human suffering to seniors and people with disabilities. The state appeals this ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

A settlement agreement is reached with the state of California and the proposed 20% cut is reduced to 8%. The cut begins in July 2013, and is further reduced to 7% in July 2014.

The fight to end IHSS continues! Thousands of UDW homecare providers sign petitions, rally, attend budget hearings and candlelight vigils, and lobby lawmakers to restore the IHSS program.

Governor Brown has called for a special legislative session to address on-going funding for IHSS. UDW members will be there to advocate for a permanent end to IHSS cuts.

Late 2009 March 2013 2015 Next StepsJune 2015

VICTORY! After years of relentless pressure, lawmakers pass a budget that ends the 7% cut to IHSS hours for one year. The budget is signed into law by Governor Brown and goes into effect on July 1, 2015.

UDW and our allies file another lawsuit in federal court. A judge issues a preliminary injunction stopping the harmful cuts from taking effect. The state appeals this ruling as well.

Then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs into law devastating cuts to IHSS that would completely eliminate homecare for 30,000 clients and reduce hours of care for another 100,000 people.

June 2011

Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation that requires a 20% cut in hours of care for 372,000 IHSS clients, scheduled to begin in January 2012.

UDW launches the Every Hour Counts campaign to urge the governor and lawmakers to end all cuts to IHSS. In June, over four thousand homecare workers and our clients descend upon the capital for a two-day vigil and rally. We successfully secure funding for overtime pay for providers (see Overtime Update below), however, IHSS hours are not restored in the 2014-2015 budget.

2014January 2012

A helping

hand

Early 2009








facebook.com/UDW





3

Victory!












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?

?

?

?

?

?

?

Getting more IHSS hours In 10 years as a provider,Ivelearnedalot about IHSS, which is why I got involved withUDWsAdvocacyCouncil in my county. We are caregivers

who help caregivers navigate IHSS. I once helped a young man taking care of his mother appeal a bad assessment. Together we got all of her hours reinstated! We are fighting for our clients, so we need to fight for each other, too.

Teresa SwickKern County

AttheheartofUDWishelpingwhetheritsstandingupfortherightsofhomecareclients,volunteering in the community, or lending a hand to a fellow homecare provider in need. Our union is a place where people can come together to give and receive.

To volunteer or get involved, contact your local UDW office or call us at 1-800-621-5016.

2

UDW brings people together to help providers and community members in need

Bringing new caregivers to IHSS When my former IHSS client, Jeanie, needed help becoming a homecare provider, Isteppedin.Jeaniescompassion for people is unmatched,

making her perfect for homecare. I took her to the IHSS office in El Dorado County, walked her through the process, and helped her find a client. I know when we help each other, we serve our clients better. As caregivers, we are a team, and we have to stick together.

Lisa ScottEl Dorado County

Standing up for IHSS clients When my son was diagnosed with autism, I quit my job to care for him full-time. After a rough experience getting my son approved

by IHSS, I began helping other parents asapartofmycountysUDWAdvocacyCouncil.Beingyourchildshomecareprovider can be tough, and the stress of having to navigate IHSS exacerbates our frustrations. If I have even an hour to help a caregiver get IHSS for their child, I will do it.

Theresa SaidMerced County

Feeding families in San Diego I volunteer to distribute food to homecare providers and community members at UDWsfooddrive

in San Diego. I know the feeling of being unable to feed your family every night. There were times when mypaycheckwasntenoughtobuygroceries for my family, and the food drive helped me. It is important for caregivers to help each other, because we spend so much time helping others.

Maria EspinozaSan Diego County

4

As homecare providers, we are no strangers when it comes to making sure that our loved ones and clients get the services they deserve. And in the face of unjust treatment, we will stand up and fight even if it takes years to win.

Caseinpoint:thesix-year-longbattleovercutstoCaliforniasIn-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS). In June, lawmakers finally voted to restore IHSS hours and end a 7% cut, marking a historic victory for homecare providers and our clients.

This victory comes after a multi-year campaign by homecare providers, clients, and our union.

Week after week, we met with legislators in their offices at the Capitol and told our stories. We explained how the 7% cut was hurting our clients and our families. We reminded lawmakers of the importance of a fully-funded homecare program for Californiasseniorsandpeoplewithdisabilities.

The7%cutnegativelyimpactedmyclientswell-being,saidIHSSprovider Adrian Hardy of Plumas County. A cut in her hours of care meant less interaction and socialization, which are important for people with autism. I fought to restore IHSS because it is about quality of life and human dignity.

Our clients stood with us throughout the fight, and shared their

own stories, too putting a human face to these unfair cuts.

I have a lot of medical problems, said Adele Burris, a 72-year-old IHSS client in El Dorado County. Without IHSS, I would have to be in a nursing home and that would cost the statealotmore.Ifwedontinvestinhomecare,IHSSclientswill have trouble finding providers and getting quality care.

In the weeks leading up to the deadline for final budget approval, homecare providers revved up the campaign, delivering thousands of petition signatures to Governor Brownsoffice.InJune,wecheeredthenewsthatlawmakersvoted to restore IHSS hours as of July 1, 2015.

Butthefightisntoveryet.Inthebudgetagreeduponbylegislators and the governor, the 7% cut was ended for one year. We will not settle for a temporary fix, and will continue to fight until cuts to IHSS are ended once and for all.

Governor Brown has called for a special legislative session to secure a new, on-going source of funding for social service programs like IHSS. As always, UDW members will be there to ensure that the voices of homecare clients and providers are heard.

HOMECARE WORKERS CELEBRATE VICTORY IN FIGHT TO RESTORE IHSS HOURS.PROTECTING HOMECARE TOGETHER

THE ROAD TO RESTORING CARE

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend minimum wage and overtime protections tothenationstwomillionhomecareprovidersgivingIHSSprovidersachance to earn time and a half overtime pay for the first time in history.

But when a federal judge stopped the new rules from going into effect in

early 2015, the Brown administration announced it would not pay IHSS providers overtime.

UDW stands firm that IHSS providers have the right to overtime pay like all American workers, and that labor protection laws should be implemented without reducing any hours of support for clients.

On May 7, 2015, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments about whether the DOL had the right to extend basic labor protections to homecare workers. We are expecting a decision at any time and are hopefulthatthelowercourtsrulingwillbeoverturned.Be on the lookout for overtime updates from UDW at www.udwa.org.

THE LATEST NEWS ON

OVERTIME PAY

Homecare unions and our allies file lawsuits in federal court to stop proposed cuts. A judge issues a preliminary injunction stopping the cuts on the basis that they would cause incredible human suffering to seniors and people with disabilities. The state appeals this ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

A settlement agreement is reached with the state of California and the proposed 20% cut is reduced to 8%. The cut begins in July 2013, and is further reduced to 7% in July 2014.

The fight to end IHSS continues! Thousands of UDW homecare providers sign petitions, rally, attend budget hearings and candlelight vigils, and lobby lawmakers to restore the IHSS program.

Governor Brown has called for a special legislative session to address on-going funding for IHSS. UDW members will be there to advocate for a permanent end to IHSS cuts.

Late 2009 March 2013 2015 Next StepsJune 2015

VICTORY! After years of relentless pressure, lawmakers pass a budget that ends the 7% cut to IHSS hours for one year. The budget is signed into law by Governor Brown and goes into effect on July 1, 2015.

UDW and our allies file another lawsuit in federal court. A judge issues a preliminary injunction stopping the harmful cuts from taking effect. The state appeals this ruling as well.

Then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs into law devastating cuts to IHSS that would completely eliminate homecare for 30,000 clients and reduce hours of care for another 100,000 people.

June 2011

Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation that requires a 20% cut in hours of care for 372,000 IHSS clients, scheduled to begin in January 2012.

UDW launches the Every Hour Counts campaign to urge the governor and lawmakers to end all cuts to IHSS. In June, over four thousand homecare workers and our clients descend upon the capital for a two-day vigil and rally. We successfully secure funding for overtime pay for providers (see Overtime Update below), however, IHSS hours are not restored in the 2014-2015 budget.

2014January 2012

A helping

hand

Early 2009








facebook.com/UDW





3

Victory!












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?

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summer 2015 caregiver

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