Educating lawmakers In January UDW caregivers educated lawmakers at the State Capitol about how Governor Brown’s budget proposal would hurt California’s safety net. We also explained that it’s senseless to target IHSS for any cuts because homecare saves the state money!

UDW caregivers have been speaking at Senate and Assembly hearings on Health and Human Services. Placer County caregiver Cindy Chapman

explained how the 40-hour per week cap would hurt her and her family.

Janet MacLean, a Placer County client, summed it up saying, “If we’re not here, we’re not heard. We’re here to fight for both the recipient and the provider. We’re a team.”

The heart of homecareOn Valentine’s Day caregivers and clients made cards for Governor Brown urging him not to cut the heart of homecare. Homecare provider Angelica Valentine shared that cuts to the IHSS program forced her family to live in their car for 3 days

while searching for affordable housing. “It is next to impossible to find housing on our current wages,” she said. “It will be totally impossible if lawmakers cut our hours.”

Talking to caregivers across the stateWe’ve been knocking on doors since March – so far we’ve talked to thousands of our fellow homecare workers. It takes a united and strong union to protect our families and clients at the capitol, so we’re organizing on the ground to get caregivers involved and make sure we all have a voice!

If you haven’t done so already, take the time to complete the sign-up process to become a UDW member today. Together, we’re stronger!

Caregivers are coming to your neighborhood!

Editha Adams, UDW President

A message from our President

234f

Spring 2014

HELP YOUR CLIENT

through the UDW Advocacy Council Page 2

OUR VOICES read stories from across the state Page 3

GET INFORMED about what UDW is doing to protect homecare Page 4

CONNECT

with us atfacebook.com/UDW

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115www.udwa.org 800-621-5016

Connect with us at facebook.com/UDW

Many of us take care of clients who don’t get enough IHSS hours. It’s not fair and that’s why UDW stands up for everyone’s right to get the care they need and deserve.

Did you know that our union has an Advocacy Council in each county? It’s where UDW staff and caregivers come together to make sure clients get enough IHSS hours. Turn the page to find out how caregivers like Sylvia and Angela fought for—and won—more hours of care for their loved ones.

Is your loved one or client getting enough hours of care?Our union UDW can help!

• LearnhowtohelpyourclientthroughtheUDW AdvocacyCouncil

• SeewhatcaregivershavebeendoingtofightGovernorBrown’sbudgetproposal

• Readstoriesfromcaregiversandclientsacrossthestate

IN THIS ISSUE

Pictured: Caregiver Sylvia Aguilar (left) of San Diego County with her mother and client, Alfonsina.3

My name is Anthony and I’m 26 years old. I live with a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which I’ve had since birth and affects me physically. Mentally I’m fully capable, and I consider myself a ‘normal’ guy with many interests and goals. My interests include watching and attending sporting events and concerts, playing poker, dining out, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, gaming, and using and fixing computers and other electronics.

In 2006, I completed my studies at Sierra College and earned two certificates: one in Expert Microsoft Skills, and the other in Computer Information Systems: Administrative Technical Support. After many years of attempting to enter the workforce with no success, both before and after college, I decided to focus on starting my own technical support business. I was successful in getting potential clients to contact me, but upon revealing my disability, every one decided not to use my services. One of my main goals today remains getting myself employed in the technology field.

I am very thankful for the IHSS program, as it allows me to have the assistance I need to get out and live an enjoyable life the way I want to live it. Without the help of IHSS, I fear my quality of life would be greatly diminished and I’d be stuck at home without a way to properly communicate and contribute to society.

I have been taking care of my husband Bill for over 28 years. Bill has multiple sclerosis, and I am his caregiver. When we found out about the IHSS program it was a blessing to us; IHSS has enabled me to keep Bill at home with me instead of sending him off to a nursing home, which we all know would cost the state much more money than homecare workers are paid.

Bill and I are so worried about Governor Brown’s proposal to limit caregiver hours to 40 per week. If he is successful in this, we will not be able to stay in our home. Brown’s budget proposal—which continues a 7% cut to the program in addition to limiting our hours—would destroy us emotionally and financially. I would be homeless and the love of my life would be confined to a nursing home. All of you caregivers out there, let’s band together and be the family that we are and not let this happen!

Disabled, but able By Anthony Muli, Client, Placer County

Limited hours would leave us homeless By Linda White, Caregiver, Stanislaus County

Bill and Linda White

Anthony Muli

Our Stories MatterWe are all affected by cuts to the IHSS program. Here are our stories.

UDW Advocacy Council helps caregivers and clients win more hours and wages

Sylvia Aguilar is a care provider for her mom Alfonsina. “My mother had open heart surgery 12 years ago and hasn’t been the same since. She is 81-years-old and she is starting to become forgetful. She can’t hear well, walks with a walker, and there isn’t much she can do on her own.”

Both Sylvia and her daughter provide care for Alfonsina, but when a new social worker came by the house and refused to let Sylvia be with her mother during the assessment, he took away all of her hours.

“Up until 2012 my mom was getting 80 hours a month through IHSS. Then, for over a year, she was getting nothing at all. I didn’t know what to do. My daughter and I continued to care for my mom—without pay—for over a year. The loss of income meant that I couldn’t keep up with my bills.”

Angela Mohamad’s mom suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia. Despite needing round-the-clock care, she was only receiving 23 hours a month.

“We had an assessment where I explained that my mother was a

danger to herself living on her own—so the social worker said our only recourse was to place my mother in a nursing home. I was at a loss, and felt like I had nowhere to turn for help.”

Things changed drastically for both Angela and Sylvia when they attended local union meetings and found out about the Advocacy Council.

“When I met with the council for the first time, they were able to guide me through filling out the proper forms [for reassessment],” Angela explained. “The council made sure my case was transferred to a supervisor and soon after I learned that I would be getting the maximum amount of hours to care for my mom. I also received 5 months of back pay.”

Sylvia experienced similar success after meeting with the council: “We successfully fought to have my mom’s hours reinstated, and now she gets 40 hours a month. My daughter and I were also awarded an entire year of back pay.”

“Winning the case was a life-changing blessing, I truly have no

words to express my gratitude,” Angela said. “I strongly encourage anyone having trouble navigating IHSS to reach out to their local UDW council.”

Sylvia agreed, adding: “My mother worked in this country for 50 years. She deserves to be taken care of. We all do.”

JOIN US! Membership creates a stronger union to protect IHSS.

Complete the sign up process and become a member today by returning your membership card. You can also signup online atwww.udwa.org/signup.

Right now UDW is: • Workingtoenda7%cuttoIHSShours. • Fightingaproposalthatwouldprohibitproviders

from working more than 40 hours per week (160 hours a month).

• SponsoringabilltoexpandpaidIHSSservicesto include reading and filling out forms for clients who are blind or visually impaired.

You may not know that UDW also: • Defeateda20%cuttoIHSS

hours in court last year. • Helpedwincaregiverspay

for medical accompaniment and travel time.

• Wondirectdepositforcaregivers.

Other benefits of UDW membership include: • Alow-costdentalplan. • Freetrainingsforcaregivers,

such as CPR and first aid. • Discountsonautoinsurance,

cell phone plans and more!

Call your local office or contact us at 1-800-621-5016 to connect with the UDW Advocacy Council near you.

Caregiver Angela Mohamad (right) of Riverside County with her mother.

2 4 5

Santa Maria caregiver Vibiana Saavedra and other caregivers met with legislators in January to talk with them about the ways our lives will be impacted if the Governor’s budget is passed.

In her valentine to Governor Brown Tisa Hinton of San Diego wrote “we don’t need homeless care providers. Please stop the cuts.”

UDW homecare activists Pamela Jones and Janet MacLean were also on hand to talk to legislators in Sacramento.

In January, Governor Brown announced his plans to continue a 7% cut to IHSS and to deny us overtime pay by limiting caregiver hours to 40 per week. UDW immediately launched into action:

Merced client Metres Huddleston (left), and Placer provider Cindy Chapman (middle, pictured here with her son Nathan) spoke in January at our legislative info session. Cindy spoke again in March at a budget hearing about the ways that a 160 hour cap will hurt her family.

Lawmakers will soon be voting on a budget impacting IHSS. Sign the petition on our website to show Governor Brown that caregivers are united to protect homecare! www.udwa.org

A group of providers got together on Valentine’s Day to make cards for the Governor to tell our stories and show him that we are the Heart of Homecare.

TAKE ACTIONStanislaus provider Mary Burch told her story at a press conference in Sacramento in January. She, like many of us, will lose her home if the Governor’s budget plan goes forward.

Caregiver Susana Bradshaw showed up with her family and a group of caregivers when the Governor came to San Diego for a press conference to announce his budget. She talked about how caregivers are being hurt by this budget proposal.

Stanislaus provider Terry Walker-Dampier gave emotional testimony in front of a budget hearing in March about the impact of a 7% cut to hours of care.

Educating lawmakers In January UDW caregivers educated lawmakers at the State Capitol about how Governor Brown’s budget proposal would hurt California’s safety net. We also explained that it’s senseless to target IHSS for any cuts because homecare saves the state money!

UDW caregivers have been speaking at Senate and Assembly hearings on Health and Human Services. Placer County caregiver Cindy Chapman

explained how the 40-hour per week cap would hurt her and her family.

Janet MacLean, a Placer County client, summed it up saying, “If we’re not here, we’re not heard. We’re here to fight for both the recipient and the provider. We’re a team.”

The heart of homecareOn Valentine’s Day caregivers and clients made cards for Governor Brown urging him not to cut the heart of homecare. Homecare provider Angelica Valentine shared that cuts to the IHSS program forced her family to live in their car for 3 days

while searching for affordable housing. “It is next to impossible to find housing on our current wages,” she said. “It will be totally impossible if lawmakers cut our hours.”

Talking to caregivers across the stateWe’ve been knocking on doors since March – so far we’ve talked to thousands of our fellow homecare workers. It takes a united and strong union to protect our families and clients at the capitol, so we’re organizing on the ground to get caregivers involved and make sure we all have a voice!

If you haven’t done so already, take the time to complete the sign-up process to become a UDW member today. Together, we’re stronger!

Caregivers are coming to your neighborhood!

Editha Adams, UDW President

A message from our President

234f

Spring 2014

HELP YOUR CLIENT

through the UDW Advocacy Council Page 2

OUR VOICES read stories from across the state Page 3

GET INFORMED about what UDW is doing to protect homecare Page 4

CONNECT

with us atfacebook.com/UDW

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115www.udwa.org 800-621-5016

Connect with us at facebook.com/UDW

Many of us take care of clients who don’t get enough IHSS hours. It’s not fair and that’s why UDW stands up for everyone’s right to get the care they need and deserve.

Did you know that our union has an Advocacy Council in each county? It’s where UDW staff and caregivers come together to make sure clients get enough IHSS hours. Turn the page to find out how caregivers like Sylvia and Angela fought for—and won—more hours of care for their loved ones.

Is your loved one or client getting enough hours of care?Our union UDW can help!

• LearnhowtohelpyourclientthroughtheUDW AdvocacyCouncil

• SeewhatcaregivershavebeendoingtofightGovernorBrown’sbudgetproposal

• Readstoriesfromcaregiversandclientsacrossthestate

IN THIS ISSUE

Pictured: Caregiver Sylvia Aguilar (left) of San Diego County with her mother and client, Alfonsina.3

My name is Anthony and I’m 26 years old. I live with a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which I’ve had since birth and affects me physically. Mentally I’m fully capable, and I consider myself a ‘normal’ guy with many interests and goals. My interests include watching and attending sporting events and concerts, playing poker, dining out, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, gaming, and using and fixing computers and other electronics.

In 2006, I completed my studies at Sierra College and earned two certificates: one in Expert Microsoft Skills, and the other in Computer Information Systems: Administrative Technical Support. After many years of attempting to enter the workforce with no success, both before and after college, I decided to focus on starting my own technical support business. I was successful in getting potential clients to contact me, but upon revealing my disability, every one decided not to use my services. One of my main goals today remains getting myself employed in the technology field.

I am very thankful for the IHSS program, as it allows me to have the assistance I need to get out and live an enjoyable life the way I want to live it. Without the help of IHSS, I fear my quality of life would be greatly diminished and I’d be stuck at home without a way to properly communicate and contribute to society.

I have been taking care of my husband Bill for over 28 years. Bill has multiple sclerosis, and I am his caregiver. When we found out about the IHSS program it was a blessing to us; IHSS has enabled me to keep Bill at home with me instead of sending him off to a nursing home, which we all know would cost the state much more money than homecare workers are paid.

Bill and I are so worried about Governor Brown’s proposal to limit caregiver hours to 40 per week. If he is successful in this, we will not be able to stay in our home. Brown’s budget proposal—which continues a 7% cut to the program in addition to limiting our hours—would destroy us emotionally and financially. I would be homeless and the love of my life would be confined to a nursing home. All of you caregivers out there, let’s band together and be the family that we are and not let this happen!

Disabled, but able By Anthony Muli, Client, Placer County

Limited hours would leave us homeless By Linda White, Caregiver, Stanislaus County

Bill and Linda White

Anthony Muli

Our Stories MatterWe are all affected by cuts to the IHSS program. Here are our stories.

UDW Advocacy Council helps caregivers and clients win more hours and wages

Sylvia Aguilar is a care provider for her mom Alfonsina. “My mother had open heart surgery 12 years ago and hasn’t been the same since. She is 81-years-old and she is starting to become forgetful. She can’t hear well, walks with a walker, and there isn’t much she can do on her own.”

Both Sylvia and her daughter provide care for Alfonsina, but when a new social worker came by the house and refused to let Sylvia be with her mother during the assessment, he took away all of her hours.

“Up until 2012 my mom was getting 80 hours a month through IHSS. Then, for over a year, she was getting nothing at all. I didn’t know what to do. My daughter and I continued to care for my mom—without pay—for over a year. The loss of income meant that I couldn’t keep up with my bills.”

Angela Mohamad’s mom suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia. Despite needing round-the-clock care, she was only receiving 23 hours a month.

“We had an assessment where I explained that my mother was a

danger to herself living on her own—so the social worker said our only recourse was to place my mother in a nursing home. I was at a loss, and felt like I had nowhere to turn for help.”

Things changed drastically for both Angela and Sylvia when they attended local union meetings and found out about the Advocacy Council.

“When I met with the council for the first time, they were able to guide me through filling out the proper forms [for reassessment],” Angela explained. “The council made sure my case was transferred to a supervisor and soon after I learned that I would be getting the maximum amount of hours to care for my mom. I also received 5 months of back pay.”

Sylvia experienced similar success after meeting with the council: “We successfully fought to have my mom’s hours reinstated, and now she gets 40 hours a month. My daughter and I were also awarded an entire year of back pay.”

“Winning the case was a life-changing blessing, I truly have no

words to express my gratitude,” Angela said. “I strongly encourage anyone having trouble navigating IHSS to reach out to their local UDW council.”

Sylvia agreed, adding: “My mother worked in this country for 50 years. She deserves to be taken care of. We all do.”

JOIN US! Membership creates a stronger union to protect IHSS.

Complete the sign up process and become a member today by returning your membership card. You can also signup online atwww.udwa.org/signup.

Right now UDW is: • Workingtoenda7%cuttoIHSShours. • Fightingaproposalthatwouldprohibitproviders

from working more than 40 hours per week (160 hours a month).

• SponsoringabilltoexpandpaidIHSSservicesto include reading and filling out forms for clients who are blind or visually impaired.

You may not know that UDW also: • Defeateda20%cuttoIHSS

hours in court last year. • Helpedwincaregiverspay

for medical accompaniment and travel time.

• Wondirectdepositforcaregivers.

Other benefits of UDW membership include: • Alow-costdentalplan. • Freetrainingsforcaregivers,

such as CPR and first aid. • Discountsonautoinsurance,

cell phone plans and more!

Call your local office or contact us at 1-800-621-5016 to connect with the UDW Advocacy Council near you.

Caregiver Angela Mohamad (right) of Riverside County with her mother.

2 4 5

Santa Maria caregiver Vibiana Saavedra and other caregivers met with legislators in January to talk with them about the ways our lives will be impacted if the Governor’s budget is passed.

In her valentine to Governor Brown Tisa Hinton of San Diego wrote “we don’t need homeless care providers. Please stop the cuts.”

UDW homecare activists Pamela Jones and Janet MacLean were also on hand to talk to legislators in Sacramento.

In January, Governor Brown announced his plans to continue a 7% cut to IHSS and to deny us overtime pay by limiting caregiver hours to 40 per week. UDW immediately launched into action:

Merced client Metres Huddleston (left), and Placer provider Cindy Chapman (middle, pictured here with her son Nathan) spoke in January at our legislative info session. Cindy spoke again in March at a budget hearing about the ways that a 160 hour cap will hurt her family.

Lawmakers will soon be voting on a budget impacting IHSS. Sign the petition on our website to show Governor Brown that caregivers are united to protect homecare! www.udwa.org

A group of providers got together on Valentine’s Day to make cards for the Governor to tell our stories and show him that we are the Heart of Homecare.

TAKE ACTIONStanislaus provider Mary Burch told her story at a press conference in Sacramento in January. She, like many of us, will lose her home if the Governor’s budget plan goes forward.

Caregiver Susana Bradshaw showed up with her family and a group of caregivers when the Governor came to San Diego for a press conference to announce his budget. She talked about how caregivers are being hurt by this budget proposal.

Stanislaus provider Terry Walker-Dampier gave emotional testimony in front of a budget hearing in March about the impact of a 7% cut to hours of care.

UDW Advocacy Council helps caregivers and clients win more hours and wages

Sylvia Aguilar is a care provider for her mom Alfonsina. “My mother had open heart surgery 12 years ago and hasn’t been the same since. She is 81-years-old and she is starting to become forgetful. She can’t hear well, walks with a walker, and there isn’t much she can do on her own.”

Both Sylvia and her daughter provide care for Alfonsina, but when a new social worker came by the house and refused to let Sylvia be with her mother during the assessment, he took away all of her hours.

“Up until 2012 my mom was getting 80 hours a month through IHSS. Then, for over a year, she was getting nothing at all. I didn’t know what to do. My daughter and I continued to care for my mom—without pay—for over a year. The loss of income meant that I couldn’t keep up with my bills.”

Angela Mohamad’s mom suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia. Despite needing round-the-clock care, she was only receiving 23 hours a month.

“We had an assessment where I explained that my mother was a

danger to herself living on her own—so the social worker said our only recourse was to place my mother in a nursing home. I was at a loss, and felt like I had nowhere to turn for help.”

Things changed drastically for both Angela and Sylvia when they attended local union meetings and found out about the Advocacy Council.

“When I met with the council for the first time, they were able to guide me through filling out the proper forms [for reassessment],” Angela explained. “The council made sure my case was transferred to a supervisor and soon after I learned that I would be getting the maximum amount of hours to care for my mom. I also received 5 months of back pay.”

Sylvia experienced similar success after meeting with the council: “We successfully fought to have my mom’s hours reinstated, and now she gets 40 hours a month. My daughter and I were also awarded an entire year of back pay.”

“Winning the case was a life-changing blessing, I truly have no

words to express my gratitude,” Angela said. “I strongly encourage anyone having trouble navigating IHSS to reach out to their local UDW council.”

Sylvia agreed, adding: “My mother worked in this country for 50 years. She deserves to be taken care of. We all do.”

JOIN US! Membership creates a stronger union to protect IHSS.

Complete the sign up process and become a member today by returning your membership card. You can also signup online atwww.udwa.org/signup.

Right now UDW is: • Workingtoenda7%cuttoIHSShours. • Fightingaproposalthatwouldprohibitproviders

from working more than 40 hours per week (160 hours a month).

• SponsoringabilltoexpandpaidIHSSservicesto include reading and filling out forms for clients who are blind or visually impaired.

You may not know that UDW also: • Defeateda20%cuttoIHSS

hours in court last year. • Helpedwincaregiverspay

for medical accompaniment and travel time.

• Wondirectdepositforcaregivers.

Other benefits of UDW membership include: • Alow-costdentalplan. • Freetrainingsforcaregivers,

such as CPR and first aid. • Discountsonautoinsurance,

cell phone plans and more!

Call your local office or contact us at 1-800-621-5016 to connect with the UDW Advocacy Council near you.

Caregiver Angela Mohamad (right) of Riverside County with her mother.

2 4 5

Santa Maria caregiver Vibiana Saavedra and other caregivers met with legislators in January to talk with them about the ways our lives will be impacted if the Governor’s budget is passed.

In her valentine to Governor Brown Tisa Hinton of San Diego wrote “we don’t need homeless care providers. Please stop the cuts.”

UDW homecare activists Pamela Jones and Janet MacLean were also on hand to talk to legislators in Sacramento.

In January, Governor Brown announced his plans to continue a 7% cut to IHSS and to deny us overtime pay by limiting caregiver hours to 40 per week. UDW immediately launched into action:

Merced client Metres Huddleston (left), and Placer provider Cindy Chapman (middle, pictured here with her son Nathan) spoke in January at our legislative info session. Cindy spoke again in March at a budget hearing about the ways that a 160 hour cap will hurt her family.

Lawmakers will soon be voting on a budget impacting IHSS. Sign the petition on our website to show Governor Brown that caregivers are united to protect homecare! www.udwa.org

A group of providers got together on Valentine’s Day to make cards for the Governor to tell our stories and show him that we are the Heart of Homecare.

TAKE ACTIONStanislaus provider Mary Burch told her story at a press conference in Sacramento in January. She, like many of us, will lose her home if the Governor’s budget plan goes forward.

Caregiver Susana Bradshaw showed up with her family and a group of caregivers when the Governor came to San Diego for a press conference to announce his budget. She talked about how caregivers are being hurt by this budget proposal.

Stanislaus provider Terry Walker-Dampier gave emotional testimony in front of a budget hearing in March about the impact of a 7% cut to hours of care.

Educating lawmakers In January UDW caregivers educated lawmakers at the State Capitol about how Governor Brown’s budget proposal would hurt California’s safety net. We also explained that it’s senseless to target IHSS for any cuts because homecare saves the state money!

UDW caregivers have been speaking at Senate and Assembly hearings on Health and Human Services. Placer County caregiver Cindy Chapman

explained how the 40-hour per week cap would hurt her and her family.

Janet MacLean, a Placer County client, summed it up saying, “If we’re not here, we’re not heard. We’re here to fight for both the recipient and the provider. We’re a team.”

The heart of homecareOn Valentine’s Day caregivers and clients made cards for Governor Brown urging him not to cut the heart of homecare. Homecare provider Angelica Valentine shared that cuts to the IHSS program forced her family to live in their car for 3 days

while searching for affordable housing. “It is next to impossible to find housing on our current wages,” she said. “It will be totally impossible if lawmakers cut our hours.”

Talking to caregivers across the stateWe’ve been knocking on doors since March – so far we’ve talked to thousands of our fellow homecare workers. It takes a united and strong union to protect our families and clients at the capitol, so we’re organizing on the ground to get caregivers involved and make sure we all have a voice!

If you haven’t done so already, take the time to complete the sign-up process to become a UDW member today. Together, we’re stronger!

Caregivers are coming to your neighborhood!

Editha Adams, UDW President

A message from our President

234f

Spring 2014

HELP YOUR CLIENT

through the UDW Advocacy Council Page 2

OUR VOICES read stories from across the state Page 3

GET INFORMED about what UDW is doing to protect homecare Page 4

CONNECT

with us atfacebook.com/UDW

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115www.udwa.org 800-621-5016

Connect with us at facebook.com/UDW

Many of us take care of clients who don’t get enough IHSS hours. It’s not fair and that’s why UDW stands up for everyone’s right to get the care they need and deserve.

Did you know that our union has an Advocacy Council in each county? It’s where UDW staff and caregivers come together to make sure clients get enough IHSS hours. Turn the page to find out how caregivers like Sylvia and Angela fought for—and won—more hours of care for their loved ones.

Is your loved one or client getting enough hours of care?Our union UDW can help!

• LearnhowtohelpyourclientthroughtheUDW AdvocacyCouncil

• SeewhatcaregivershavebeendoingtofightGovernorBrown’sbudgetproposal

• Readstoriesfromcaregiversandclientsacrossthestate

IN THIS ISSUE

Pictured: Caregiver Sylvia Aguilar (left) of San Diego County with her mother and client, Alfonsina.3

My name is Anthony and I’m 26 years old. I live with a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which I’ve had since birth and affects me physically. Mentally I’m fully capable, and I consider myself a ‘normal’ guy with many interests and goals. My interests include watching and attending sporting events and concerts, playing poker, dining out, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, gaming, and using and fixing computers and other electronics.

In 2006, I completed my studies at Sierra College and earned two certificates: one in Expert Microsoft Skills, and the other in Computer Information Systems: Administrative Technical Support. After many years of attempting to enter the workforce with no success, both before and after college, I decided to focus on starting my own technical support business. I was successful in getting potential clients to contact me, but upon revealing my disability, every one decided not to use my services. One of my main goals today remains getting myself employed in the technology field.

I am very thankful for the IHSS program, as it allows me to have the assistance I need to get out and live an enjoyable life the way I want to live it. Without the help of IHSS, I fear my quality of life would be greatly diminished and I’d be stuck at home without a way to properly communicate and contribute to society.

I have been taking care of my husband Bill for over 28 years. Bill has multiple sclerosis, and I am his caregiver. When we found out about the IHSS program it was a blessing to us; IHSS has enabled me to keep Bill at home with me instead of sending him off to a nursing home, which we all know would cost the state much more money than homecare workers are paid.

Bill and I are so worried about Governor Brown’s proposal to limit caregiver hours to 40 per week. If he is successful in this, we will not be able to stay in our home. Brown’s budget proposal—which continues a 7% cut to the program in addition to limiting our hours—would destroy us emotionally and financially. I would be homeless and the love of my life would be confined to a nursing home. All of you caregivers out there, let’s band together and be the family that we are and not let this happen!

Disabled, but able By Anthony Muli, Client, Placer County

Limited hours would leave us homeless By Linda White, Caregiver, Stanislaus County

Bill and Linda White

Anthony Muli

Our Stories MatterWe are all affected by cuts to the IHSS program. Here are our stories.