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Washington Protection & Advocacy System Pursuing justice on behalf of people with disabilities on matters related to their human, legal, and civil rights. Promoting Dignity, Equality and Self-Determination.
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Home Care Quality Authority Seeks Inputby Mindy Schaffner, Executive Director of the Home Care Quality Authority April 9, 2003 It has been seven months since the Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA) Board had its first board meeting. Since that time, the nine-member board has been busy setting up offices, hiring staff, conducting regular business and establishing a website. The new offices are located at 640 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey, Washington. The mailing address of the HCQA is PO Box 40940, MS-0940, Olympia, WA 98504-0940. Staff members include Mindy Schaffner, Executive Director; Ann Lewis, Executive Administrative Assistant; Mary Lou Pearson, Program Manager; and Sherri Wills-Green, Home Care Program Manager. You may call a staff member at 360-725-2618. The state legislature identified over twenty duties that the HCQA is responsible for accomplishing. These duties are found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 74.39A. One of the duties is the charge to improve the stability of the individual provider (IP) workforce through reasonable wages and benefits. On January 13, 2003, representatives from the HCQA and Service Employees International Union signed a collective bargaining contract. Pending legislative approval, the contract provides for wage increases, health insurance and worker’s compensation benefits. For details on the contract visit our website at www.hcqa.wa.gov The HCQA will continue working on other mechanisms for the improvement in the recruitment and retention of the IP workforce. Another duty that requires immediate attention is the development of a referral registry that assists consumers in hiring of individual providers or personal care assistants. The referral registry will assist consumers in locating qualified workers and will also support the worker in obtaining better employment opportunities. If you are interested in providing input on the registry design, or would like to offer other suggestions, please contact our office (360-725-2618) or visit our website at www.hcqa.wa.gov and identify your interest. Want to read more? WPAS has expressed concerns about the contract that has been negotiated between the HCQA and the union. ●
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