2014 LISTENING TOUR

COUNCIL PROFILE PCA program is administered by MassHealth, not by the Council PCA program is administered by MassHealth, not by the Council Council was created to be a voice for consumers on several issues Council was created to be a voice for consumers on several issues

COUNCIL PROFILE Meets 6 times a year Meets 6 times a year 5 of 9 Council members are required by law to be consumers of PCA services 5 of 9 Council members are required by law to be consumers of PCA services All meetings are open to the public All meetings are open to the public For more information, go to For more information, go to

Mission of the Council to insure the quality of long-term, in-home, personal care by recruiting, training and stabilizing the work force of personal care attendants to insure the quality of long-term, in-home, personal care by recruiting, training and stabilizing the work force of personal care attendants

COUNCIL HISTORY Established on-line PCA referral directory with a searchable database Established on-line PCA referral directory with a searchable database Free subscriptions for MassHealth consumersFree subscriptions for MassHealth consumers As of July, 2014 more than 7,400 active workers are listed in the directoryAs of July, 2014 more than 7,400 active workers are listed in the directory Commissioned the first comprehensive surveys of consumer and PCA populations Commissioned the first comprehensive surveys of consumer and PCA populations

COUNCIL HISTORY Through Labor negotiations: Helped raise PCA wages 23% in 7 yearsHelped raise PCA wages 23% in 7 years Formed an effective Labor Management Committee to resolve problemsFormed an effective Labor Management Committee to resolve problems Established training programs for PCAs that emphasize consumer controlEstablished training programs for PCAs that emphasize consumer control Provided educational benefits for PCAs (tuition reimbursement, scholarships)Provided educational benefits for PCAs (tuition reimbursement, scholarships)

COUNCIL HISTORY Raised the profile of PCA work by: Creating the Paul Kahn award for PCA serviceCreating the Paul Kahn award for PCA service, Council newsletter that is sent to all consumers and to the LegislaturePublishing The Bridge, Council newsletter that is sent to all consumers and to the Legislature Writing biannual reports to the Governor and the Legislature on the PCA programWriting biannual reports to the Governor and the Legislature on the PCA program

Council Initiatives for 2014 Paid Time Off Paid Time Off Orientation Orientation Communication Communication

Through a side agreement, PCAs are eligible for paid time off beginning July 1, 2014Through a side agreement, PCAs are eligible for paid time off beginning July 1, 2014 The system has to operate under a $1.5 million annual expenditure capThe system has to operate under a $1.5 million annual expenditure cap PCAs working 100 hours per month in April, May & June would qualify for 5 hours of PTO in JulyPCAs working 100 hours per month in April, May & June would qualify for 5 hours of PTO in July

PAID TIME OFF (PTO) PCAs working 100 hours per month in November, December & January would qualify for 5 PTO hours in February.PCAs working 100 hours per month in November, December & January would qualify for 5 PTO hours in February. Payments are sent to PCAs within 90 days of qualifying.Payments are sent to PCAs within 90 days of qualifying.

Orientation The Council & the Union have signed a letter of agreement that, beginning January 1, 2014, all newly hired PCAs will have to complete a formal orientation program Dictionary definition: an introduction, as to guide one in adjusting to new surroundings, employment, activity, or the like

Orientation  Does NOT affect the consumer’s role as employer and supervisor  Does NOT train a PCA on how to assist consumers  Does NOT affect the number of hours of PCA assistance a consumer receives

Orientation  Orientation program was developed by a stakeholder group including 4 consumers  Orientation program is in a pilot phase from April – December 2014

Orientation Topics to be covered in orientation include: independent living principles identifying and reporting fraud and abuse workers’ rights and responsibilities operational procedures of the PCA program in MA (e.g. time records, PCMs and FIs, payment methods etc);

Orientation PCAs will be paid for the 3 hour sessions A consumer/employer has the right to opt out of the orientation program & provide orientation to their PCAs. The consumer/employer must adhere to the established curriculum and report his/her compliance

Orientation The Council believes the new orientation program will strengthen the PCA program by providing information that is more: Accurate Uniform Comprehensive

COMMUNICATION The Council communicates with consumers through: 1. Council consumer members 2. Council website: Council newsletter The Bridge 4. Public meetings 5. Outreach efforts

COMMUNICATION Council Vision Statement makes continuing dialogue with the consumer community a priority New methods of communication Facebook E-newsletter

 website:   phone: