Recently the Massachusetts PCA Workforce Council made an agreement with SEIU that now requires all PCAs to go through a three-hour "orientation" that was developed with almost no input from the disability community. Many PCA users have received information from their Fiscal Intermediary spelling out the requirements and the punitive actions that will be taken against PCAs who don't go through this mandatory training.
This so-called orientation is being coordinated and delivered by SEIU and although it does allow for PCA users to provide the training to their PCAs hired after January 1, 2015 the state sanctioned curriculum must be used. I received a very derogatory and condescending notice from my Fiscal Intermediary that, not only forces me to either train my own PCAs or require them to go to a training but it also clearly states that PCAs who don't go through this training will have their wages garnished until they do. How can the union claim they represent the well-being of PCAs but, at the same time, be a part of the process that reports them to Medicaid if they don't attend a training and tacitly support garnishing their wages. It's a complete contradiction.
Further, I've trained my PCAs for close to 40 years and I have a well functioning system with excellent PCAs. Why is the state requiring this burdensome process that ultimately takes away our control? Additionally, PCAs have jobs and family obligations and don't have time to spend three hours going to some training that they may not want. I have one PCA who left after I told her she had to go to a training.
If you are outraged and want to let the Workforce Council know how you feel then please plan to attend their June 9 meeting to be held at One Ashburton Place, Boston, 21st floor from 2 PM-4 PM. Many of us will demand that this orientation be made optional and that PCAs not be punished by having their wages garnished if they don't attend. I hope you can come in person or submit written testimony. Nothing About Us Without Us!