Thank you to everyone who reached out to legislators for our rally day on House Bill 914 Support Our Direct Care Workforce!
A special thanks to Lutheran Family Services, Universal Mental Health Services, Alexander Youth Network, A Small Miracle and ACI-Dungarvin (North Carolina), for having attendees who came to the legislature! If we missed anyone else who came to Raleigh, we apologize and hope you will let us know you were there!
We had a fantastic press conference with Representative Moffitt, Brisson and Lambeth. Rep Lambeth noted that the DSW workforce were true “invisible heroes” and he believed this was one of the most important bills to move this session! He urged us to call and write our legislators to help them understand the importance of this bill.
Rep Moffitt said that he was “embarrassed by the wages NC pays our Direct Support Workers” and the bill had to move this session because we couldn’t wait any longer to compensate them appropriately.
Our guest speakers included:
Ben Smith, a recipient of Innovation Waiver services along with his mother Annette and his DSW worker James Taylor;
- Sarah Roethlinger – Executive Director, Youth Focus
- Helah Smith – Certified Nursing Assistant
Didn’t get a chance to call or write this week? No problem – your calls and emails are still needed and important. We need to keep letting the House, and particularly the Senate, know how important this bill is for North Carolina.
Call or email legislators today!!!!
HB 914 Support Our Direct Care Workforce would increase the hourly wages of direct support staff across a variety of Medicaid services including Innovations and other home and community-based waivers, personal care services, ICFs, home health, nursing homes and other behavioral health community and residential facilities. This increased rate is intended to make sure that people who qualify for services have the direct support workforce they need. Increased rates mean providers can pay competitive wages, retain experienced Direct Support Workers, and people who need support can receive the help they need.
WE NEED YOUR VOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!
Reach out to the legislators that represent you but please also contact the key legislators who make the budget decisions listed below:
Senator Jim Perry representing Lenoir and Wayne County
Office Phone: (919) 733-5621 Email: Jim.Perry@ncleg.gov
Senator Joyce Krawiec representing Forsyth and Davie
Office Phone: (919) 733-7850 Email: Joyce.Krawiec@ncleg.gov
Senator Jim Burgin representing Harnett, Johnston and Lee
Office Phone: (919) 733-5748 Email: Jim.Burgin@ncleg.gov
Senator Deanna Ballard representing Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes
Office Phone: (919) 733-5742 Email: Deanna.Ballard@ncleg.gov
Senator Steve Jarvis representing Davidson and Montgomery
Office Phone: (919) 733-5743 Email: Steve.Jarvis@ncleg.gov
Senator Kathy Harrington representing Gaston
Office Phone: (919) 733-5734 Email: Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.gov
Senator Ralph Hise representing Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey
Office Phone: (919) 733-3460 Email: Ralph.Hise@ncleg.gov
Senator Brent Jackson representing Sampson, Duplin, Johnston
Office Phone: (919) 733-5705 Email: Brent.Jackson@ncleg.gov
Representative Kim Baker representing Cabarrus
Office Phone: 919-733-5861 Email: Kristin.Baker@ncleg.gov
Representative Larry Potts representing Davidson
Office Phone: 919-715-0873 Email: Larry.Potts@ncleg.gov
Representative Wayne Sasser representing Stanly, Cabarrus, Rowan
Office Phone: 704-982-8003 Email: Wayne.Sasser@ncleg.gov
Representative Donna White representing Johnson
Office Phone: 919-889-1239 Email: Donna.White@ncleg.gov
Representative Donny Lambeth representing Forsyth
Office Phone: 919-733-5747 Email: Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.gov
Representative Jason Saine representing Lincoln
Office Phone: 919-733-5782 Email: Jason.Saine@ncleg.gov
Representative Dean Arc representing Union
Office Phone: 704-282-0418 Email: Dean.Arp@ncleg.gov
Comments (0)