Speak Out

Join the Our Care Can’t Wait Coalition and share your story with Idaho lawmakers today! Idaho lawmakers need to hear from you. If you are interested in sharing your story of how the direct care workforce crisis is impacting you, please submit your contact information through the form below today.

DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE CRISIS STORY FORM

Once you submit your information, you will be contacted about ways to share your story, including letters to the editor, opinion pieces, social media, and news reports. These stories will help show why Idaho needs to address the direct care workforce crisis now.

Your Voice Makes a Difference

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Ready to make your voice heard? Submitting a Letter to the Editor to your local, community newspapers is one way to build awareness among legislators about issues affecting the community. When many of us submit letters, it helps show how drastic and urgent an issue is. Follow these quick steps to share your thoughts and amplify Our Care Can’t Wait’s mission to support the direct care workforce.

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

1. Align with Coalition Values: Craft your letter in line with our coalition's key messages for a unified impact. A few points include:

  • 33,000 Idahoans and Idaho families depend on direct care workers to supplement the support they give to family members who are aging and disabled—often providing life-saving care.

  • The only source for long-term care here in Idaho is Medicaid. This program is the provider for long-term care services for Idaho ‘s seniors as well as children and adults with disabilities.

  • Based on the current reimbursement rates, direct care workers earn an average of $14/hour with no career path for growth or salary raises. The majority (80%) also say they have no paid sick leave. The turnover in the direct care workforce is extreme.

  • Idaho’s Office of Performance Evaluations came out with clear recommendations for Idaho’s Legislature to solve this problem, it includes higher reimbursement rates and creating career paths for Direct Care providers.

  • For many Idahoans, direct care services are the difference between existing or thriving—life or death.

2. Compose Your Letter

  • Keep it Concise: Aim for approximately 200 words to ensure a clear and focused message.

  • Be Authentic: You are an expert on your experiences. Make sure in your letter to the editor you incorporate why this issue matters to you and how it has affected your life.

  • Reference Current Issues: If possible, connect your letter to recent articles or editorials related to our coalition's focus.

  • Respectful Tone: Keep it positive and constructive. Emphasize collaboration and common goals.

  • Sign with Coalition Affiliation: Sign off with your full name, coalition affiliation, and any relevant titles.

3. Submit Your Letter: Share your letter by first visiting your community newspaper or news outlet’s website—or picking up a hard copy—to see the preferred submission methods. That could include the following:

  • Email: Send your letter to [Editor's Email Address] with a clear subject line such as Letter to the Editor Submission: Our Care Can’t Wait.

  • Online Form: Visit the news outlet’s website and look for the "Submit a Letter" section to fill out the easy online form. Mention your coalition affiliation.

That's it! Your engagement matters, and this is a simple yet powerful way to advocate for our cause. Let's flood the editorial pages and make a collective impact!

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Subject: Urgent Call for Action: Fully Fund Direct Care Workers in Idaho

More than 33,000 Idahoans with disabilities and aging adults rely on dedicated direct care professionals for crucial support, allowing families to maintain livelihoods while ensuring their loved ones receive the quality care necessary for daily activities.

Medicaid, our state's only provider for long-term care, has reimbursement rates so low it leaves direct care workers earning an average of $14/hour, with no clear career path, benefits, or paid sick leave. It has resulted in an alarming 30% staffing vacancy.

This isn't just about wages; it's about the difference between existence and thriving—life or death for many Idahoans. Families struggle without qualified staff, impacting daily chores, careers, and overall family well-being.

[In my home, we depend on direct care providers for…]

A fully funded direct care workforce is a financial imperative. It provides cost containment for essential services, preventing strain on emergency services and nursing homes. The Office of Performance Evaluations outlined clear recommendations in 2022 to address this crisis, and Medicaid needs immediate staffing for their implementation.

Let's prioritize the well-being of our aging and disabled populations by fully funding our direct care workforce. Time is of the essence, and our community's resilience depends on it.

[Your Name]
[Relevant Titles]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]