Jennifer found the article, published on Saturday, reviewing the hearing on Friday January 25, 2008. Here is the link:

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/75184.php

In general, the article is a disappointment. The reporter spoke to several people at the hearing, had a great deal of paperwork, yet she wrote a neutral, information light article. Hopefully she will be at the two coming meetings and at least continue reporting the issue as still at hand, viable.

I was reminded by my usual PCA care giver visit this weekend that, although the supervisors are insisting the proposed changes are still only being discussed, the PCA pool is shrinking. The have decided to begin immediately dismantling the entire program one piece at a time. Of course, from what I can tell, they started nearly a year ago, with offering the PCAs classes to create a licensed employee set Then offered and gave many of them jobs within the county but outside of the attendant care program. At this time, they are still moving the people in the pool to other jobs, whether care giving or no. I'm worried that time passes, before a final decision has been officially announced, the system will have been deeply damaged, putting clients depending on it in poor situations.

My case manager called this morning to inform me of another agency with whom she spoke that may be an option for the future. But no guarantees yet. I appreciate the time she is putting into this, with her position and I hope they are sincere in their consideration of my well being. But I worry about her reaction to my skepticism. She is frustrated that I am not more excited or at least comforted that one or two of the agencies might be able to help support me once the attendant care program is gone. I still think the Pima Health System should have researched well before the announcement what agencies provide what and who might expand their services even further depending on the needs of clients.

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