News
BREAKING NEWS: Personal Care Assistants and Consumers Answer the Call and Save Home Care from Elimination!
Last week, Governor McDonnell proposed the unthinkable. The Governor said he planned to eliminate consumer-directed home care. Forever.
That's why the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants put out the call to PCAs and allies to tell our elected officials NOT to eliminate cost-effective consumer-directed home care. And you answered that call!
Within hours, VAPCA members had made hundreds of phone calls and sent hundreds of e-mails to legislators telling them why consumer-directed home care is good for
And our elected officials listened! On Sunday, February 21, both the state House and Senate announced their budgets, rejecting the Governor's proposal to eliminate consumer-directed home care.
You spoke out and your voice was heard! While there is much we still need to fight for, now is the time to say "Thank You" to our elected officials.
Please call your Delegate and Senator and tell them "Thank you for supporting cost-effective consumer-directed home care."
To learn who your legislators are, and how to contact them, please visit: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
ACTION ALERT from Richmond: Governor Proposes Eliminating Home Care - Take Action Today!
For over two months, home care consumers and providers have been under attack in
But, this week, our new Governor Bob McDonnell proposed the unthinkable.
Governor McDonnell said he wants to eliminate consumer-directed home care. Forever.
10,000 older adults and people with disabilities would lose their current PCA services. And 14,000 home care providers would lose their jobs.
This Sunday, Feb. 21, the House of Delegates and state Senate will announce their budgets. Will they stand with Gov. McDonnell and eliminate home care? Or will they stand with the overwhelming majority of Virginians who want cost-effective home care services?
Act Now! Call your Delegate and Senator and tell them "NO! Don't eliminate Consumer-Directed Home Care."
To learn who your legislators are, and how to contact them, please visit: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
VAPCA Rallies in Richmond to Save Home Care!
"Whole Community Day" a major success, but we have more work to do.
January 26 - Over 100 Personal Care Assistants, older adults, people with disabilities and community allies travelled from across
VAPCA members and allies also celebrated and strategized at the annual "Quality Home Care" Dinner on January 25th. Personal Care Assistants and consumers heard from VAPCA leaders, community supporters and legislators about the importance of sharing our stories with our elected officials. 
We took to the Capitol and our voices were heard! But our work isn't over yet. Our elected officials are still debating the proposed budget. They are even debating whether or not to make MORE cuts to our pay, hours and the care our loved ones receive.
Take action today! Contact your legislators and tell them:
Restore the 5% pay cut to Personal Care Assistants!
Restore the Respite Hours!
Restore the Waiver Slots!
To learn who your legislators are, and how to contact them, please visit: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
PCAs Speak Out to Save Home Care at State Budget Hearings
At state budget hearings across
Marie Jah, a PCA from
To read more about the Budget Hearings, click on our "Newsroom" page to see how the media covered our efforts!
And check out these great photos of VAPCA members from Budget Hearings across the Commonwealth of Virginia:
PCAs rally at the Richmond Budget Hearing on January 11th to let elected officials know that home care workers save the state $44,000 for every person they care for at home, and $143,000 for every young person they care for at home. 
PCAs and consumers testify in support of cost-effective Home and Community-Based services at the Blacksburg Budget Hearing on January 7th. Some PCAs drive several hours just to tell their stories!
Let's Protect Home Care
Last year, VAPCA members were able to stop major cuts to the Consumer- Directed Medicaid Waiver and win a historic 3 percent pay increase. State budget cuts, created by the poor economy, threaten to put our consumers and loved ones on a waiting list and deny them care.
With your help, we can protect home care and save our jobs.
PCAs from across the state will attend budget hearings and explain why our jobs are important--by providing quality care at home for seniors and people with disabilities, we improve the community and save taxpayers money.
You Did It! Caregivers and Consumers Unite to Win 3% Increase to Improve Quality Home Care
As the General Assembly session came to a close on February 28, 2009, legislators voted to include a long-overdue 3% cost-of-living increase for home care workers in the state budget. Congratulations to all the members of VAPCA, their consumers, community allies and family members who stood up and spoke out for Quality Home Care in Richmond and in communities across Virginia. This historic victory was possible because of your efforts.