Letters
It has always puzzled me that, in terms of compensation, we afford the lowest priority to those who serve the most vulnerable among us.
Workers who provide needed care, supervision and support for people with disabilities, the frail elderly, and the very young can expect the lowest wages in our economy.
This has been evident given my experiences which include director of the Area Agency on Aging for Lake and Mendocino Counties, clients rights advocate for people with developmental disabilities, and an instructor in human services for the Yuba Community College District, among others.
A major component in this dilemma is the wages paid to in-home support workers, some 1,800 of them, in the county-administered In-home Supportive Services program, or IHSS, in Lake County.
These workers make it possible for the frail elderly and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes as long as possible, thereby minimizing the need for institutional care. Institutional care is far more expensive, and in virtually all circumstances represents a substantially diminished quality of life.
Thus, IHSS constitutes a classic win-win in that people live happier, more functional lives, and the financial cost to society is reduced considerably. In the big picture, society benefits from maintaining contact that supports the dignity of and respect for our elders and neighbors with disabilities.
IHSS workers have historically been limited to minimum wage in spite of efforts to convince the county that they are deserving of higher compensation.
Currently the Service Employees International Union is arguing for a small step toward correcting this situation in the form of a 50 cent per hour raise above minimum wage and funding for minimal employee benefits from the county.
I would stress that this is a small step toward rectifying the underlying problem, and that it is a financially wise step. Any increase in wages will recirculate in the local economy benefiting public revenues and private businesses.
Most importantly, Improved compensation and benefits will raise the quality of care for the most vulnerable by attracting a wider pool of workers to choose from.
Simply put, it is both the right and smart thing to do. I urge you to contact your county supervisor and ask them to support the requested increase in IHSS compensation.
Doug Harris lives in Clearlake, Calif.
Workers who provide needed care, supervision and support for people with disabilities, the frail elderly, and the very young can expect the lowest wages in our economy.
This has been evident given my experiences which include director of the Area Agency on Aging for Lake and Mendocino Counties, clients rights advocate for people with developmental disabilities, and an instructor in human services for the Yuba Community College District, among others.
A major component in this dilemma is the wages paid to in-home support workers, some 1,800 of them, in the county-administered In-home Supportive Services program, or IHSS, in Lake County.
These workers make it possible for the frail elderly and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes as long as possible, thereby minimizing the need for institutional care. Institutional care is far more expensive, and in virtually all circumstances represents a substantially diminished quality of life.
Thus, IHSS constitutes a classic win-win in that people live happier, more functional lives, and the financial cost to society is reduced considerably. In the big picture, society benefits from maintaining contact that supports the dignity of and respect for our elders and neighbors with disabilities.
IHSS workers have historically been limited to minimum wage in spite of efforts to convince the county that they are deserving of higher compensation.
Currently the Service Employees International Union is arguing for a small step toward correcting this situation in the form of a 50 cent per hour raise above minimum wage and funding for minimal employee benefits from the county.
I would stress that this is a small step toward rectifying the underlying problem, and that it is a financially wise step. Any increase in wages will recirculate in the local economy benefiting public revenues and private businesses.
Most importantly, Improved compensation and benefits will raise the quality of care for the most vulnerable by attracting a wider pool of workers to choose from.
Simply put, it is both the right and smart thing to do. I urge you to contact your county supervisor and ask them to support the requested increase in IHSS compensation.
Doug Harris lives in Clearlake, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Doug Harris
I recently joined Clear Lake Soroptimist International after learning of the club’s efforts to educate the community about the danger of human trafficking.
I had heard of the Clear Lake Soroptimist Club before but I had just assumed that they were something like a sorority and that didn’t interest me.
After hearing an interview on KPFZ with club member Olga Martin Steele about human trafficking I looked the club up online and learned that that the club is actually a global volunteer movement working to transform the lives of women and girls. That sounded interesting so I kept reading.
The Web site states that “the name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. And so Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.” Now they really had my attention.
The club sponsored the play “Jane Doe in Wonderland” about human trafficking at the Soper Reese.
According to the Lake County News the showing of the play has led to an investigation and arrest of a couple involved in human trafficking in Lake County.
District Attorney Don Anderson is quoted as saying, “In Lake County, human trafficking is starting to get a stronghold in the community and in the schools.”
The Soroptimist have played a major part in this arrest by sponsoring the play, bringing the issue to the forefront and providing education to the community about human trafficking.
I am proud to be counted as a member of the Clear Lake Soroptimist International Club.
Annelle Durham lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
I had heard of the Clear Lake Soroptimist Club before but I had just assumed that they were something like a sorority and that didn’t interest me.
After hearing an interview on KPFZ with club member Olga Martin Steele about human trafficking I looked the club up online and learned that that the club is actually a global volunteer movement working to transform the lives of women and girls. That sounded interesting so I kept reading.
The Web site states that “the name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. And so Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.” Now they really had my attention.
The club sponsored the play “Jane Doe in Wonderland” about human trafficking at the Soper Reese.
According to the Lake County News the showing of the play has led to an investigation and arrest of a couple involved in human trafficking in Lake County.
District Attorney Don Anderson is quoted as saying, “In Lake County, human trafficking is starting to get a stronghold in the community and in the schools.”
The Soroptimist have played a major part in this arrest by sponsoring the play, bringing the issue to the forefront and providing education to the community about human trafficking.
I am proud to be counted as a member of the Clear Lake Soroptimist International Club.
Annelle Durham lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Annelle Durham
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