Saturday I was invited to a meeting of the Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC). They have been a major player in fighting to stop the Supervisors from dismantling the attendant care program and leaving the clients and care workers in the lurch. They've been in meetings with the supervisors one at a time to discuss the whys, whos and whens of the proposal. So far, as I have been told, 3 of the 5 supervisors are planning to vote against the changes. After all the lies and the misinformation the administrator and his PHS staff have been found to perpetuate, I can only assume the supervisors at least will ensure the county better organizes and prepares for client care.
I like how the PCIC handles the several issues they are intending to support. One of the subjects they mentioned was the coming statewide shortage of care givers in relation to the growing numbers of people in need of personal care services. In relation to the Attendant Care Program concern, it seems to be a small part of the whole issue. The PCIC also discussed immigration policy and employment. It seems not enough people here want to be care givers, is there some way to connect those concerns? As often as we are told people who some to this country are only drains on our systems, we cannot deny the numbers who genuinely come here to work and have a better life. They also discussed the fragile status of a local after school program and the affects possible closures as such affects families who depend on them. One person commented that she does, in fact, know several people who DO use the services of that particular program.
Things are all connected.
So, I digress. The purpose of the PCIC meeting last Saturday was preparation for a seminar they are organizing for the end of this week, to introduce more of their membership to the main points and get more input and plans for reaching their goals.
I understand the County Supervisors are at this time reviewing the collected information and will be making a decision sometime mid April.