Direct Care Worker Coalition

The Maine Direct Care Worker Coalition is comprised of representatives from the long-term care and support system in Maine including workers, consumers, and service providers. The coalition’s mission is to promote policy and practices that respect and value direct care workers in order to sustain quality direct care in Maine. MECEP staffs the coalition.

Coalition Principles

High quality long-term health care services require:

• A humane, holistic, and consumer-centered approach to care.
• Adequate, qualified and valued staff at all levels.
• Direct care workers’ right to advocate effectively for consumers and themselves.
• Continuity of consumer care.

Long-term health care service organizations must be given adequate reimbursements to support:

• A safe environment for staff and consumers.
• Adequate compensation to meet the basic needs of workers.
• Job flexibility, benefits, and advancement opportunities for workers.
• Seamless, available staff training in an atmosphere of ongoing learning
  

Maine Direct Care Worker Coalition Members

• AARP Maine
• Catholic Diocese of Portland
• Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
• Consumers for Affordable Health Care
• Disability Rights Center
• Downeast Horizons
• Green Valley Association
• Home Care Alliance of Maine
• Home Care for ME
• Kennebec Valley Organization
• Maine Alzheimer's Association
• Maine AFL/CIO
• Maine Association of Community Service Providers
• Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods
• Maine Center for Economic Policy
• Maine Council of Churches
• Maine Health Care Association
• Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman
• Maine Personal Assistance Services Association
• Maine Rural Health Association
• MSEA/SEIU
• Maine Women’s Policy Center
• Medical Care Development
• Mount St. Joseph
• PCA Provider Network
• Sarah Frye Home
• Senior Spectrum
• SeniorsPlus/Elder Independence of Maine
• University of Maine Center on Aging