(Cross-posted from the COFAR blog) Direct-care workers in the state's contracted human services system have seen their wages stagnate in recent years, but the executives who run the largely nonprofit contractor agencies that employ those … [Read more...]
More than 130 business leaders and professionals ask governor, state leaders to support direct care workers
With Labor Day approaching, I thought the BMG community would be especially interested in hearing about efforts to support the Salary Reserve for low-paid human service workers that the Governor and legislature have left behind for the last … [Read more...]
Gov’s budget would cut homeless, mental health and employment programs
Please take a moment to review the areas of the budget that impact your clients/consumers and advise us as to any other line items in jeopardy that we should be monitoring by emailing Bill Yelenak.This is the first of several … [Read more...]
Building a stronger human service system in Massachusetts
2011-2012 Human Services Legislative AgendaPrior to the 2011-12 legislative session, the Providers' Council surveyed its statewide membership of human services providers about the challenges and opportunities that can be addressed to … [Read more...]
Political contributions tell the story in human services
Family-supported nonprofits such as COFAR and its affiliated organizations have long fought to prevent the wholesale privatization of care for persons with intellectual disabilities. But in recent years, we've begun … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS – Marie St. Fleur will NOT seek re-election
As reported in the Dorchester Reporter at the Ward 15 Democratic Caucus yesterday, Rep. Marie St. Fleur announced that she will NOT seek re-election. Further coverage is in the report by Gintautus Dumcius at his blog After 12 years, … [Read more...]
Reducing cuts to human service programs
Below is a letter from the President of SEIU Local 509. Local 509 represents over 11,000 human service workers in MA. About 2/3 of the members are state workers, and 1/3 work at non profit human service providers that contract with the … [Read more...]
Human Services Make Up Small Percentage of Recent State Hires
Last week I posted Pioneer Institute's recommendations for where Governor Patrick should begin cutting the state budget before he cuts safety net programs. One of our recommendations is to roll back the state's workforce by the 6,000 … [Read more...]
Human services workers are stuck in 1987 – can’t we do better than this?
Further, when a program works, it may still be shut down because a provider can get twice as much for a new program, as to keep a program that works up and running. This is just nuts! While the state doesn't adjust what it pays for … [Read more...]
Finally a fix for Human Services. Please contact your representatives!
I have worked in Human Services for over 20 years. I have been at one agency for 16 years. I am in charge of 13 homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Some of those homes have not had an increase in funding since 1987. These … [Read more...]