Many of the region’s legislators recently accompanied Bristol Elder Services’ case managers on home visits to clients in their respective districts as part of The Caring Force’s statewide “Will You Care?” initiative. We would like to thank senators Paul Feeney and Michael Rodrigues, Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia Haddad, and representatives Carole Fiola, Steven Howitt, Keiko Orrall, Elizabeth Poirier, Paul Schmid and Alan Silvia for their participation in the event.
The visits allowed the legislators to gain a unique and important understanding of the value of the work being done by human service providers. Human service work is essential, demanding, and often unheralded, and Bristol Elder Services’ workers do it with dedication and compassion for their consumers, who are the most vulnerable residents in our area.
During the visits, officials heard about legislation that could strengthen the human services workforce, including bills to ensure fair pay for jobs that are comparable to those held by state employees and to create a loan repayment program for human service staff. By easing the financial burden of many human service workers, this legislation would ultimately improve the recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
The “Will You Care?” initiative is designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by workers in the human services sector. According to a report commissioned by the Providers’ Council, the community-based human service sector will need to fill an estimated 25,000 new jobs between now and 2024, and 73 percent of human services providers already report that they have had trouble filling job openings over the past three years.
Dozens of human service providers across the Commonwealth are welcoming legislators to visit programs, meet inspiring consumers, and observe dedicated staff as part of the “Will You Care?” campaign hosted by the Providers’ Council. Bristol Elder Services appreciates the support the local delegation showed by participating in a visit.
Nancy R. Munson
CEO, Bristol Elder Services
Fall River