This occurred last year, but thanks to you and your vocal advocacy -- and our strong human service supporters in the Senate -- we successfully secured a Salary Reserve.

Now, it's time to make sure we do so again this year. Our legislative champion, Sen. Karen Spilka, is ready to file a budget amendment that would fund a $16.6 million Salary Reserve – but she needs your help now: 

Ask your Senator to stand with human service workers by co-sponsoring Sen. Spilka’s Salary Reserve amendment.

Thousands of workers count on the Salary Reserve as their only way to get a raise – and tens of thousands of clients/consumers count on the Salary Reserve to help ensure they receive consistent care from skilled, compassionate direct care workers.

Make sure workers and people who receive services get the support they deserve. Contact your Senator now.

Think about it -- last year, your advocacy secured our first $20 million Salary Reserve in five years, overcame a veto, and protected the fund from mid-year spending cuts. With your continued advocacy, we can secure the support that human service workers deserve.

There’s an important budget amendment deadline on Friday, so your Senator needs to hear from you today.

Last month, the House included Salary Reserve language in their budget for the first time in recent history thanks to your advocacy. We must keep that momentum going. Use our easy online form to send an email now: http://thecaringforce.org/ask-your-senator

Thanks for speaking out – it makes a big difference.

Late last night, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a $7.5 million fund to provide one-time payments to low-paid human service workers. I can't remember the last time that we saw the House include funding for human service worker salaries in their budget proposal, but I think this progress is a sign your advocacy is paying off!

There is still more work to be done, but for now, I want to thank you and recognize how your involvement in The Caring Force is making an impact and getting results.

Whether you attended our rally or a legislative breakfast, sent emails, made calls, or helped spread the word on Facebook and Twitter, your involvement made a difference. You got the attention of our Representatives and convinced them to provide funding for human service workers in their budget.

This progress also would not have been possible without the support of our Caring Bear Champion Rep. David Linsky, and leadeship support from House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Ways & Means Chair Brian Dempsey, and the nearly 80 Representatives who supported Rep. Linsky's Salary Reserve amendment.

The next stop in the budget process will be in the Senate, and we'll keep you posted on how we can build on this progress.

Thank you for being a part of this and helping make it happen.

We are horrified by the unspeakable events that occurred in the Back Bay near the finish line. But we thank the first responders who reacted so quickly to help those hurt or injured, including medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and other caregivers. So many heroes emerged to help the injured and bring comfort on Monday to so many.

There is important information and multiple resources already being circulated, but we wanted to share a few more with you:

• If you're looking for someone or have information about someone's condition, there are several ways to share it. Google has set up a resource page for this on its website.  Another has been set up by the American Red Cross.
• The Massachusetts Council of Churches is listing prayer services on its Facebook page. You can visit the Facebook page here.
• The Children's League of Massachusetts shared several links this morning regarding speaking to children about this tragedy:
  • How to Talk to Your Children about Boston Marathon Bombs - WBUR CommonHealth
  • Media Coverage of Traumatic Events - National Center for PTSD
  • 5 Tips on Talking to Children About Scary News - CNN
  • Helping Children Cope with Tragedy Related Anxiety - Mental Health America
• Riverside Community Care has put out a one-page PDF on "Talking with Your Children About Traumatic Events." You can download it here, and it also lists their 24-hour crisis response line -that you can call to speak with a trauma center manager (888.851.2451).
• The FBI and Boston Police are asking anyone with a tip or photographs from yesterday to call 1-800-494-TIPS (8477). Boston Police will continue to post updates on its Twitter feed and website. Copley Square is still closed; a map of the affected area is available at the City of Boston website.

We're grateful that everyone in our office is safe and to everyone who reached out to check on us. If there is anything we can do for you,  your organization, or your family, please let me know.

If you're aware of any other resources that should be added to this list, please leave them in the comments or email me.

Best wishes for safety, peace, and healing to you and yours.

“I am the one who finds it hard to get used to new staff. I am also the one who is often very sad and worry when so many staff leave. My staff work hard and do a great job working with me. They need a raise in pay for the good work they do so that it will be easier for them to stay.”

We have an opportunity right now to help get a modest pay increase for the direct support staff who work with Karen and so many other individuals across the Commonwealth, but your Representative needs to hear from you. 

Please contact your Representative now and ask that they co-sponsor Rep. Linsky’s Salary Reserve amendment today.

On Wednesday, the House Ways & Means Committee released its proposal for next year’s budget and it did NOT include a Salary Reserve. Thankfully, Rep. Linsky – who helped lead our successful campaign for a Salary Reserve last year and spoke at our rally on Tuesday – is again leading the charge to provide this important raise to human service workers, but he needs our help to secure co-sponsors.

Help Rep. Linsky secure funding that will make it easier for direct care workers to stay in the profession so that Karen and other service recipients can get the quality consistent care they deserve.

Providing a raise for human service workers is the right thing to do to recognize the work that they do, but it’s also vital for strengthening the quality of care for the people they serve. 

For all of the human service workers and people they serve across the Commonwealth, please speak out today:

http://thecaringforce.org/support-workers

Thanks for all that you do.

Today, more than 600 human service workers, program participants, and supporters from across Massachusetts attended The Caring Force’s State House Rally for fair funding for human service programs and workers!

At the rally, we heard powerful stories from Kormasa from HMEA, Inc. and Martha from the Center for Human Development, who are both human service workers and talked how much they love their job, but how hard it is for them and their co-workers to make ends meet on low wages.

We also heard from Karen, who receives services at the Seven Hills Foundation and is a self-advocate. She talked about how frustrating it can be to see great workers come and go because they are so underpaid. Karen was joined by her mom, Jean, who shared that one of Karen's direct care workers left for a job at Home Depot and that another person they know who receives services has had 114 different direct care staff, 5 house managers, and 6 nurses in the 10 plus years she's been receiving services.

Scott Harshbarger, who was previously the Massachusetts Attorney General and who serves on the board of Community Resources for Justice, talked about how vital it is for human service supporters to be involved in advocacy at the State House and to show up at the polls to elect people who care about our issues.

We were thrilled to be joined by our legislative champions, including Senate President Therese Murray, Senator Karen Spilka, Representative David Linsky, and Representative Ruth Balser – all of whom received Caring Bear Awards last year for their support. This year, The Caring Force presented the Caring Bear Award to Representative Kay Khan, who has been a champion of the Salary Reserve, is working on a bill to reduce health insurance costs for human service workers, and is the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.

After the program concluded, members of The Caring Force flooded the State House to visit the offices of their state representatives and senators to urge them to provide human services with the support it deserves. Specifically, we sent legislators a powerful message that we need a $16.6 million Salary Reserve and a $140 million in new funding for improved rates.

On behalf of the entire Caring Force, thank you to our amazing speakers, committed elected officials, and dedicated members who helped make this event a success! Thank you also to the nearly 70 people who helped us spread the word on Facebook and the more than 50 supporters of The Caring Force on Twitter who helped us spread more than 50 tweets that reached nearly 20,000 other tweeps!

For pictures and updates from the event, Like The Caring Force on Facebook and Follow The Caring Force on Twitter -- and stay tuned for updates here on The Caring Force blog!

To help make sure that we make the most of the day, we started putting together some tips and talking points to help you make your visit to the State House a success...

First, the basics: the rally and lobby day will take place in the Great Hall on the second floor of the State House at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9. We expect the speaking program to wrap up around 11:30 a.m., but make sure you leave time to visit your legislators! Your personal stories and personal contact with our legislators and their staff are what will make sure they stand up for our programs and workers.

What are we rallying for? We will be asking legislators to support the following funding in the FY 14 budget:

• $140 million in new human service funding to implement rate reform that strengthens programs and supports workers
• $16.6 million Salary Reserve to provide raises for workers who don’t yet benefit from rate reform

Getting ready

1. Register so we know you're coming -- and so you can use our easy form to let your legislators know you're coming: http://thecaringforce.org/2013rally
2. Write down who your legislator is (find out here) and what room number they're in (find out here) and bring that information with you.
3. Make a sign to show your support for human services at the rally. They can't have any poles or sticks attached and they should be positive (check out slogan ideas here).
4. Come wearing your yellow Caring Force t-shirt or a yellow t-shirt. We can't deliver any more orders before the rally, but if you want one for future events and to show your support, email me.

Rally like a champ

• Arrive on time. There may be lines getting into the State House and we expect the Great Hall to fill up, so make sure you get there by 10 a.m., especially if you're traveling in from outside Boston. Need info on parking or public transportation or driving directions?
• Support our speakers -- we're thrilled to have direct care workers, clients, and family members who are speaking before a huge group for the first time. Make sure you show them some love with generous applause.
• Get social! Share quotes, pictures, and anything else you'd like on Facebook and Twitter during the rally. Use the #mapoli Twitter hashtag to put your message in front of electeds and reporters.

Lobby like a pro -- talking to elected officials is easier than you think -- follow these basic rules and you'll be in good shape

• Always be polite and respectful
• Make an appointment in advance if possible -- and if you do, make sure you are on time
• Be positive and concise
• Thank them
• Share your personal story. Facts and statistics are important, but what will really move a legislator to support your issue is when you show them how an issue or budget item is real to you.
  • Are you a worker? Talk about what it takes to make ends meet while living on a human service salary. And talk about what makes you stay in the job you love. 
  • Do you receive services? Talk about any impact cuts have had to your access to programs and any challenges you've experienced because of the staff turnover caused by low wages.
  • Do you just love human services? Come ready to tell them why.
• Remind them you're a constituent and a voter. Let them know the address you live or work at so they know you really live in the district.
• Ask for a commitment. Find out what they'll do to support the issues you care about.

Want more? Check out the flyer we'll be delivering to legislators and a more detailed list of tips and talking points.

Attached are talking points and tips for making the most of your day at the State House. Please review them in advance and share them with anyone else that is joining you.

Thank you again for all that you do. We made a big impression last year, and I can't wait to have you join us to make sure our elected officials know how important it is for them to support human service programs and workers again this year!

Check out this great demonstration on how to meet with your legislators that Rep. David Linsky -- one of our biggest legislative champions -- did at our last statewide meeting:

There are many options for doing so but nothing beats a pizza party!

This is an invitation that was forwarded our way from one human service agency that's invested in growing The Caring Force and supporting our fight for human services. It's simple, but it gives folks a chance to come together, connect, and learn about this important effort.

Want to help? You can help spread the word about The Caring Force on Facebook and Twitter with a few clicks of your mouse right now!

You can also email me if you're interested in tips or resources for helping get your organization more involved with The Caring Force.

Have you or any agency you're involved with been helping spread the word about The Caring Force? Is there something we could do to help make it easier? Leave us a reply in the comment or email me and let us know!

Massachusetts still leads the nation with some of the best programs in early childhood education, elder services, developmental disability, public health, substance abuse, mental health, homeless, child welfare, veterans services, and other vital services. But we’ve also been woefully underfunding these programs and the dedicated staff who work in them.

This year, we have a huge opportunity to get programs and workers the funding they deserve. Governor Patrick has proposed at least $140 million in new human services funding that supports programs and workers.

But, we need to make sure that the state has the revenue to make this a reality. That’s why The Caring Force is supporting tax reforms that:

• Raise the $1.9 billion in revenue needed to fully fund our vital programs and other infrastructure
• Reduce the tax burden on people with lower incomes, including those we serve and our dedicated workforce

Massachusetts’ human service agencies and their workers deliver some of the best services in the country. But with the cost of health insurance, utilities, food, and so many other necessities continuing to rise, we cannot put off investing in human services any longer.

The time to invest in our human service programs and workers is now – and it will only happen if you speak out. Tell your legislators to fairly fund human service programs and workers through progressive tax reform!

The Caring Force was founded at little more than a year ago to speak out for fair funding for human service programs and workers. In our first year – thanks to your tremendous efforts – we were successful in securing $20 million for human service workers.

This year, our challenges are even greater, but you’ve already proven that when we take action together, we can get results. Take a minute right now to send a message asking your legislators to make sure human service programs and workers get the support they need and deserve!

We need to make sure the state understand how vital it is that next year’s budget includes $140 million to fund better rates for services, a $16.6 million for workers who aren’t affected by those rates, and the revenue to sustain these vital services.

Don't miss your chance to speak out for human services in person at The Caring Force's Second Annual State House Rally on April 9. Register now!

On Monday, human service advocates joined Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressmen Mike Capuano, John Tierney, Ed Markey, and Stephen Lynch for a "Stop the Sequester" rally organized by Action for Boston Community Development.

Check out video clips from the event and a list of examples of potential cuts that Massachusetts would face due to sequestration farther down in this post.

Providers' Council President/CEO Michael Weekes

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren

U.S. Representative Michael Capuano

U.S. Representative John Tierney

U.S. Representative Ed Markey

U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch

According to a recent report from the White House the chopping block, here are some examples of what is on the chopping block for us here in Massachusetts:

• Military: Some 7,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing pay by around $43.4 million. Army base operation funding in the state would be cut by about $8 million, Air Force operations by about $5 million.
• Teachers and Schools: Some $13.9 million in primary and secondary education funding would be cut, putting around 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk; about 20,000 fewer students would be served and some 60 fewer schools would get funding, according to the administration. Also, Massachusetts would lose some $13.4 million to pay for about 160 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
• Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water: About $4 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, and to prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. The Bay State could also lose another $472,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.
• Public Health: About $625,000 in funds to respond to infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological event threats. Also, $1.7 million for preventing and treating substance abuse, resulting in around 5,200 fewer admissions to programs. And about $367,000 in cuts would mean 9,200 fewer HIV tests.
• Job Search Help: About $787,000 in funding, meaning 27,000 fewer people would get help finding work, according to the administration.
• Nutrition Assistance for Seniors: About $535,000 for senior meal programs would be cut.
• Vaccines for Children: Almost 3,000 fewer children would get measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza and Hepatitis B vaccinations to save about $201,000.
• STOP Violence Against Women Program: Up to $140,000 would be cut in services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 500 fewer victims being served.
• Child Care: Up to 500 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job. There was no estimate of funding cut size.
• Head Start: Services would be eliminated for about 1,100 Massachusetts children. There was no estimate of funding cut size.

The meeting kicked off with a welcome from NuPath, Inc. President/CEO Sheri McCann, who was instrumental in the founding of The Caring Force and talked about why it was so imperative to start this movement to unite all human service workers, leaders, volunteers, clients, and other supporters to fight for the support we deserve. We then heard a presentation on the budget and pro-workforce legislation from Providers' Council President/CEO Michael Weekes, followed by an inside look at the budget process from Rep. Linsky, which concluded with a fantastic demonstration on how anyone can meet with their legislators. The program wrapped up with some powerful stories from human service workers who shared their experiences working in the sector and being a part of The Caring Force.

Check out the videos below to see what happened and be sure to check out our photo album on Facebook!

Make sure you never miss any of the great videos, pictures, or news from The Caring Force:

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Sign up for email alerts

Welcome and Intoroduction -- Sheri McCann, NuPath, Inc.

FY 14 Budget & Legislative Advocacy  -- Michael Weekes, Providers' Council

An Inside Look at the Budget Process -- State Representative David Linsky

How to Your Story and Lobby Your Legislator -- Rep. Linsky and Michael Weekes

Lisa Carrier, NuPath, Inc. Shares Her Story

Kormasa Traub, HMEA Shares Her Story

Anne Fracht, Advocates, Inc. Shares Her Story 

Kevin Gilnack and Michael Moloney Discuss Resources Available from The Caring Force

Julia Spitz, the author, starts by introducing the backbone of our movement: the human service workers who, in addition to working every day to make our communities stronger, have banded together to help propel The Caring Force to its membership of 10,000:

In many ways, the group of about 29,500 people wields enormous power.

They have the power to keep your grandmother in her own home when her health starts to fail. They have the power to let your neighbor go to work each day knowing his autistic son is in good hands. They have the power to help a handicapped veteran maintain a level of independence.

What they don't have is a voice, say Mike Hyland and Michael Moloney.

Or what most would consider a livable wage for this state.

Those 29,000-plus are aides, social workers, case managers and group home managers paid by companies that hold state contracts for providing care to one in 10 residents in Massachusetts. They're also the ones who often make roughly $25,000 a year for work that requires more stamina, patience and compassion than many of us could muster.

Spitz describes The Caring Force as "an advocacy/networking/lobbying group formed in November 2011" and Mike Hyland from the Kennedy Donovan Center, who was interviewed for the article, boils down the essence of our work, describing our mission: "We're giving a voice to people who never had one.'"

Spitz goes on to write about our huge victory in securing the release of the Salary Reserve and the challenges and opportunities we'll face in the years to come with the input of Hyland and Michael Moloney of HMEA, Inc., who was also interviewed for the piece.

She conclued by highlighting our upcoming statewide meeting, which will take place next Thursday, Feb. 14 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Advocates, Inc. in Framingham. If you haven't registered already, be sure to do so now!

Make sure you take a few minutes to read the entire wonderful article and share it on your Facebook and Twitter pages to help spread the word!

We've been getting some questions about some changes you may have seen in your paycheck and wanted to explain that a recent change in federal law has led to an increase in tax withholdings that you may already be seeing in your paycheck.

As USA Today explains, the "fiscal cliff" package that Congress passed at the beginning of the year, while extending income tax cuts for 99 percent of the country, eliminated a temporary 2 percent reduction in the payroll tax -- FICA -- which funds Social Security. This means most paychecks will decrease by a few dollars per week.

Back on Beacon Hill, Governor Deval Patrick gave his State of the Commonwealth address on Jan. 16 and outlined a proposal to reform our tax code. You can watch the full video below, but here are a few quick takeaways:

• Gov. Patrick laid out plans to reform our tax system that would generate nearly $2 billion in additional revenue while reducing taxes for people earning less than $37,523, which includes many people working in or served by the human services system. Should any new revenue be approved, we hope that we can count on Gov. Patrick to invest some of it in strengthening funding for human service programs and workers.
• He will file his formal budget proposal next week, kicking off a six-month process of debate and advocacy as the budget moves through the legislature. The Caring Force will keep you informed of any developments that might affect your paycheck, as well as the advocacy we’ll need to secure fair funding for human services.
• Check out this detailed write-up from the Boston Globe and watch Gov. Patrick's speech below to learn more.

Please be sure to join us on Thursday, February 14 for a Statewide Meeting of The Caring Force, where we will discuss the Governor’s budget proposals and the work we’ll need to do this summer to secure support for all human service workers and programs. Please be sure to RSVP now!

The Caring Force has been busy gearing up for an exciting 2013, with plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in the fight for fair funding for human service programs and workers.

We finished 2012 strong, ensuring that human service workers received their first raise in five years through the Salary Reserve, but now it’s time to turn our attention to this year’s efforts.

I hope that you will join me at a statewide meeting of The Caring Force on February 14, 2013 from 1p.m. – 3 p.m. at Advocates, Inc. in Framingham.

Governor Deval Patrick will release his FY '14 budget recommendations in a little over a week, and we’d like you to be a part of the conversation on how we can respond.

Our statewide meeting on human services advocacy will feature a panel discussion with human services workers, leaders, and advocates who will discuss what is – and is not – included in the Governor’s budget, and what we can do about it.

We’re also very pleased to be joined by two of our strongest legislative champions, state Senator Karen Spilka and state Representative David Linsky!

This Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll join me in showing how much you care about the future of human services by coming to this important meeting.

Governor Deval Patrick just finished his press conference on the difficult mid-year spending cuts he has made to the state's budget, and while there are some very serious cuts being made, I am excited to tell you that your advocacy paid off: the $20 million Salary Reserve for human service workers has been saved and is available to be distributed!

This absolutely would not have been possible without your tireless advocacy -- your phone calls, your emails, and your constant presence at the State House. Thank you.

This also would not have been possible without the historic support we received from the legislature for the Salary Reserve.

Earlier today, I was sitting in the Governor's lobby with a great group of members of The Caring Force from Dorchester and Hingham and what happened this afternoon made my day -- I got to thank them for the outstanding job they did and inform them that they could go home because their support, and yours, had protected the long overdue raise that human service workers have earned.

We're still waiting for further details from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to find out if the funds will be distributed in time for the holidays, but we do know that they will be coming. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

For now, I just want to say thank you. There will undoubtedly be more challenges for human service programs and workers in the future, but this year you've shown that when we come together, we can get the support that we deserve.

This submission to our video contest from NuPath, Inc. seems especially appropriate today and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Check it out:

It’s time to urge Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray to release the Salary Reserve in time for the holidays. Please take a moment now to email them with our easy form.

Our legislative champions have our backs – Rep. David Linsky and Sen. Karen Spilka are asking their colleagues on Beacon Hill to co-sign letters to the Governor asking him to release the Reserve. But we need to have our voices heard.

Make sure the Patrick-Murray Administration know how important it is to you that they release the Salary Reserve for human service workers right now.

There is nothing “discretionary” about supporting the work of human services professionals who provide 24/7 care to our deserving elderly, veterans, children at risk of harm, people with a disability and others needing protection and essential services. Even if times are tight for the state, they are even tighter for human service workers – who earn an average of $12/hour. Unlike the state, our workers don’t have a “stabilization fund” for times of emergency.

Let Gov. Patrick and Lt. Gov. Murray know that human service workers have endured a financial emergency for the past five years and it’s long past time to get them the raise they deserve!

Thanks for all that you do to help strengthen human services – and stay tuned next week to find out who our three video contest finalists will be!

We have received nine fantastic, creative video submissions from members of The Caring Force for our Broadcast Your Love of Human Services video contest and we need to hear from you!

These unique videos highlight the value that human services and our collective advocacy bring to our communities. A panel of judges will review the votes and select three finalists who will get to have their videos shown at New England’s largest human services convention and compete for prizes like a Kindle Fire and giftcards.

Please take a few minutes now to watch all of these short, great videos – and then cast your vote for your favorite one!

If you’ve been meaning to make one, it’s not too late. Videos will be accepted for judging and added to our site on a rolling basis until Nov. 16. Get the details for submitting your own video.

I’d like to send a big thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to submit a video for this contest. Our fellow members of The Caring Force who made these videos put a lot of time and energy into telling their important stories. Please make sure you check them out and your for vote your favorite one today!

Next Tuesday, Nov. 6, we get to have our say on who will represent us in the White House, in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, and in the state legislature.

These officials will make important decisions about funding for the human service programs that keep our communities strong and wages needed to support our skilled human services workforce. 

Take our Get Out The Vote pledge to let us know you have a plan for getting to the polls next Tuesday.

We know that you're busy, but it's important for you to have a plan for when you will get to the polls to make sure you have the opportunity to help shape our future -- and if you have clients, consumers, or program participants who may need help, please assist them too. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., so start thinking now about when you'll be able to get out and vote. If you're not sure where to vote, you can find out at www.wheredoivotema.com.

Politicians pay attention to who votes and who does not. For The Caring Force to continue to build power and foster support for human services, we need to get to the polls.

Take a second now to think about when you can vote next Tuesday and fill out the GOTV pledge.

As a nonpartisan advocacy organization, we encourage you to learn about the people running for office and make your own decisions. We hope that you will vote for people that believe in "empowering people, strengthening human services," including legislators who have supported the Salary Reserve and candidates who have made human service issues a priority in their campaign.

Your voice is critical to the success of The Caring Force, and by taking part in the voting process you help empower the entire human services sector. Let us know we can count on you to be a part of this important process:

www.TheCaringForce.org/GOTV

Be sure to help amplify our power by forwarding this message along to your friends, family, and colleagues!

Thank you for being a voter and encouraging others to get involved.

If you aren't registered to vote or need to update your voter registration because you've moved or want to change parties, do it now to make sure you can vote in the next election!

Anyone – human service workers, clients/consumers, family members, or other supporters – can participate. Here’s how it works:

1. Record a short (30 – 120 seconds) video with a smartphone, flipcam, or other device and share why human services and/or The Caring Force is important in your life
2. Upload the video to YouTube
3. Complete our contest form: http://TheCaringForce.org/broadcast
4. Stay tuned for your chance to encourage people to vote for your video once it’s up on our site

All finalists will receive free admission to go to New England's premier human services convention, and we have some great prizes: the first place winner will get an Amazon Kindle Fire, the second place winner will win a $100 VISA giftcard, and the third place will win a $50 VISA giftcard!

We’ve even put together some possible video topics to help get you started. Check out all of the details below!

BROADCAST YOUR LOVE OF HUMAN SERVICESS
VIDEO CONTEST

Submit a short (30 second – 2 minute) video for your chance to win a free Kindle Fire or a $100 or $50 VISA gift card!

How to win

1. Use your smartphone, digital camera, or other recording device to make a unique video telling the story of why you love human services and The Caring Force
2. Upload your video to YouTube
3. Fill out our contest form at www.TheCaringForce.org/broadcast
4. Stay tuned and encourage people to vote for your video when it’s up!

To get you started here are a few ideas for your video

• Take us on a tour of your program and/or introduce us to your colleagues or consumers at your program
• Talk about the difference that human services makes in the lives of the people we serve
• Share what our victory securing the Salary Reserve means to you – how will you spend the extra money that you should be getting around the holidays?
• What is it like to participate in advocacy – did you come to the April rally? Get a reply from or meeting with your legislator? Feel like you personally made a difference?
• Why do you think it’s important that human service supporters come together to rally for our shared goals?

* All videos should be discussed with your organization’s managers prior to recording. If you record clients, consumers, or program participants, please secure appropriate consent and releases first.

Winner selection

Videos submitted through our online form will be reviewed by The Caring Force to ensure they meet our video requirements (see reverse) and posted on TheCaringForce.org/videos on Nov. 5 where visitors can vote for their favorite videos until Nov. 16.

A panel of judgest will consider the vote count as well as the following criteria in determining three finalists:

1. Originality and creativity
2. Use of The Caring Force logo and human services imagery
3. Appeal to human service professionals and supporters

The three finalists will be shown at New England’s largest human service convention –  the Providers’ Council’s 37^th Annual Convention & Expo: Caring It Forward – where attendees will vote to determine our first, second, and third prize winners. All finalists will receive free convention registrations and must be present or have a designee present to accept the award on their behalf.

Video requirements

1. Videos submitted by human service workers must be reviewed and approved by your organization’s managers prior to submission.
2. Video must be 30 to 120 seconds in length.
3. Avoid profane language, violence, sexual themes or personal attacks on people or organizations.
4. Avoid violating copyright laws or using brand names or logos other than those with whom you are associated and The Caring Force's in your video. You agree to indemnify The Caring Force and the Providers’ Council for any claim, demand, judgment, or other allegation arising from your possible violation of someone's trademark, copyright, or other legally protected interest in any way in your video. All contest submitters agree not to make any commercial use of those portions of their submissions which use The Caring Force trademarks (including TheCaringForce.org) without prior written approval from The Caring Force.
5. Your video may not contain any endorsement, solicitation, commercial, or similar content advocating for or against candidates for office, political issues, or commercial products.
6. Contest sponsor reserves right not to include any videos it deems offensive or inappropriate in contest.
7. You can collaborate with friends or colleagues and receive assistance from human service provider staff, but your video may not be professionally produced and must be original content for this contest. Do not submit a video that has been submitted elsewhere.
8. Videos must be QuickTime/MOV, WMV, MPEG or AVI and submitted to the contest group on YouTube.
9. Secure the proper legal consents and waivers for all individuals appearing in your film, after receiving your agency’s permission, and ensure the address of the location is protected where appropriate based on EOHHS or other regulatory or funding entities’ policies. Participants must follow any laws, regulations, and/or rules related to securing waivers from or prohibitions against recording any individuals you serve or others who may appear in your videos.
10. Be able to provide The Caring Force with an original video file if you are selected as a finalist.
11. Videos that are not submitted through the entry form will not be judged.

By entering the contest, you grant The Caring Force a perpetual, royalty-free license to use your video, in any media, for standard non-commercial purposes. You grant The Caring Force permission to edit, modify, format, or adapt your video for The Caring Force's purposes at The Caring Force's sole discretion. Except for the Amazon Kindle and gift card prizes awarded to the winners, no other compensation in any manner will be paid to any entrant of the video contest for the submission to The Caring Force or The Caring Force's future use of the video in any manner. If you want to remove your video from the competition, you may do so by requesting The Caring Force delete your video from its competition prior to the announcement of the winner on or about November 28, 2012. There is no limit on the number of videos someone may submit, but only the most recently submitted video will be available for judging. Submission of subsequent videos will void all previously earned votes.

To be eligible you must be a member of The Caring Force or become a member by submitting an entry through our form, and reside in New England. Children 13 years or younger must have their parents approval. Employees of The Caring Force or the Providers’ Council, their relatives, and The Caring Force or Providers' Council contractors are not eligible to enter the contest.

We are only three weeks away from November 6 and a historic election that will decide the next President of the United States, as well as one of our U.S. Senators and all nine U.S. Congressional seats from Massachusetts. Residents will also cast votes for 200  State Legislature seats, three important ballot questions and a whole host of other regional races.

There is, however, another date this is just as critical: tomorrow -- Wednesday, October 17 -- is the last day you can register to vote on November 6.

If you are not registered by Wednesday, you will not have a say in choosing candidates who you think will best represent you and the issues you care about. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard in your local community, on Beacon Hill in Boston and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Please register to vote today!

There are multiple ways to register to vote, butplease remember if you mail something in, it must be postmarked by October 17: 

1. Go to our co-branded website with Rock the Vote. Fill out the form, print it out, sign it and mail it in.  
2. Visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. You can fill out a form, print it out, sign it and mail it in.
3. Visit your local election official, ask for a registration form and fill it out. You can find a place of local election officials here. 

Thanks for being voters and showing our foce at the voting booth!

Starting in elementary school, I learned what our Founding Fathers fought for during the Revolutionary War, and throughout my young life, I was lucky to grow up with parents and teachers who taught me how important it is to participate in our democratic system.

But as I get older, I continue to meet people who simply didn’t get those lessons or who have become jaded by the day-to-day political grandstanding and animosity of politics.

The simple truth is that voting is our most powerful tool for creating change and holding elected officials accountable. No matter how frustrating it may be to watch today’s political theatrics, registering to vote and then actually esercising your democratic right gives us the leverage we need to compel our leaders to act for our common good and the good of the human services sector.

Next Tuesday, Sept. 25 is National Voter Registration Day. Will you help me make a difference?

If you’re not registered to vote (or if you moved and need to update your registration), please register now to have a say in our future. Fill out the form, print it, sign it, and mail it in today.

If you're already registered take a moment to make sure that your family and friends are too so we make sure we have a powerful force of human service supporters at the polls this November!

We’ve already shown we can make a powerful difference when we take to Beacon Hill. Now let’s show what we can do when we get registered and get out the vote!

As we continue to build power and advocate for human services, it's critical that we show our elected officials that we'll hold them accountable at the ballot box. Can you take the pledge to get out and vote tomorrow?

Everyone's lives are busy -- especially for people involved with the human services system -- but voting is an essential right and an essential part of our democratic process. That's why when you take the pledge to vote, you'll have the chance to think about and share your plans for casting your ballot.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., so whether it's before work, during lunch, or after work, it's important to know when you're going to get out and help shape our future.  If you're not sure where to vote, you can find out at www.wheredoivotema.com.

Take The Caring Force's Voting Pledge and share your plan for getting out and voting!

Your voice is critical to the success of The Caring Force, and by taking part in the voting process you help empower the entire human services sector. Let us know we can count on you to be a part of this important process:

http://www.thecaringforce.org/primary-voting-pledge

Be sure to help amplify our power by forwarding this message along to your friends, family, and colleagues!

Thank you for being a voter and encouraging others to get involved. And, if you aren't registered to vote or need to update your voter registration because you've moved or want to change parties, do it now to make sure you can vote in November!

None of the great accomplishments you helped secure this year would have been possible if you weren't voters who paid attention and held your elected official accountable. And now it's time to build on that power.

Today is the deadline to register to vote in the Massachusetts Primary Elections, which will take place on Thursday, Sept. 6.

If you are 18 or older and have never registered before, have moved since the last time you voted, recently gained citizenship, or want to change parties, you must complete and mail in a voter registration form today.

Please take a moment right now to complete our easy online form, which you can fill out on your computer, print, and mail in today.

The Caring Force is a proud supporter of CareVote, an initiative to encourage human service and nonprofit supporters to get registered and get to the polls. Check out the message from CareVote below for even more details on voter registration.

Elections have consequences, and no matter who you vote for, it's critical that you have a voice in the process. There are more important fights to come, and we need to show our legislators that we go to the polls.

Make sure your voter registration is current today: www.thecaringforce.org/register

The Caring Force has already been out registering voters as part of our support for CareVote. Check out photos from our voter registration drive on our Facebook page -- and be sure to give us a Like!

Register to vote in state primary elections by Friday's deadline!

Registration must be postmarked by Aug. 17 to vote in Sept. 6 election

Dear Friends:

As we continue to prepare for the General Election on November 6, CareVote would like to remind you and your colleagues that there is an important voter registration deadline this week.

This Friday, August 17, is the deadline to register to vote in the State Primary Election being held on Thursday, September 6.

This is a great opportunity to encourage your staff members to register to vote.

If they register on or before Friday, they will be eligible to vote both in the State Primary Election in September and the General Election in November. It is important to register if: 

• You have recently turned 18 or became a citizen
• You have moved since the last election
• You wish to change parties.

Please forward this message to your colleagues, family members and friends and encourage them to register to vote this week.

To register, please use our co-branded automated web form on Rock the Vote or visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website to use the state's new automated web form. In both cases, please fill out the form online, print it and send it in. While you can fill out the forms online, you MUST mail them in -- the Commonwealth does not have online voter registration.

As a reminder, here are upcoming important dates to remember (a comprehensive list of dates is available at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website): 

• Friday, August 17: Deadline to register to vote in the State Primary Election
• Thursday, September 6: State Primary Election
• Wednesday, October 17: Deadline to register to vote in the General Election
• Tuesday, November 6: General Election

Thanks to your advocacy, a $20 million annualized Salary Reserve was included in the state's budget, which will provide a long-overdue raise to the dedicated human service workers who care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

According to the Providers' Council, the state has set up a process for distributing those funds and getting them to the workers who so desperately need them. If you're interested in learning more, please read about it at providers.org.

The budget cycle spans nearly six months from the time the Governor submits his initial budget proposal until the time the Governor signs a compromise proposal agreed upon by both chambers of the legislature. And it gets even longer when you have to face a veto.

But that's exactly what members of The Caring Force did. The Caring Force launched in late November of 2011, and by January, 2012, our members hit the ground running.

Take a look at some of the highlights:

• December 15 2012 - Feburary 1, 2012: Nearly 740 members of The Caring Force urge legislators not to allow the income tax reduction to harm human services
• April 1, 2012: more than 2,000 members of The Caring Force shut down the state house at a rally for fair funding
• April 9, 2012 - April 24, 2012: more than 600 members of The Caring Force ask their representative to co-sponsor a Salary Reserve budget amendment
• April 23, 2012: More than 100 representative co-sponsor the Salary Reserve budget amendment
• April 23, 2012 - May 16, 2012: more than 350 members of The Caring Force ask their senators to ask leadership to include the Salary Reserve in the budget
• May 11, 2012 - May 24, 2012: nearly 280 members of The Caring Force ask their senators to co-sponsor a budget amendment for the Salary Reserve
• May 19, 2012: 60% of the Senate co-sponsors the Salary Reserve budget amendment
• May 23, 2012: more than 200 members of The Caring Force return for a lobby day to encourage the Senate to support the Salary Reserve
• May 24, 2012: Senate unanimously approves budget containing a Salary Reserve
• June 7, 2012 - June 25, 2012: 370 members of The Caring Force urge the House to include the Salary Reserve in the conference committee budget
• June 26, 2012 - July 9, 2012: more than 775 members of The Caring Force urge Gov. Patrick to support the Salary Reserve
• July 10, 2012 - July 19, 2012: more than 1,300 members of The Caring Force urge legislators to override Gov. Patrick's veto
• July 23, 2012 - present: more than 720 members of The Caring Force have thanked their legislators for overriding the Governor's veto

Your dedication and advocacy throughout the process are what enabled us to be successful, but next year will be even harder. Can you take a second now to share The Caring Force and invite your friends, family, and co-workers to join the fight?

Advocacy isn't always easy, and sometimes it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the bottom line is this: so long as members of The Caring Force continue speaking out and continue encouraging others to join us, our legislators will continue to hear us and work with us to strengthen our human services system.

Thank you for all that you've done -- and for all that you will do.

Members of The Caring Force have already sent more than 1,100 emails to their representatives asking them to co-sign Rep. Linsky's letter to Speaker DeLeo urging him to override the governor's veto. And the best part: your advocacy is yet again making a huge difference: so far 100 representatives have added their name to the letter!

But, there is still more work to be done for us to have the best chance of getting a veto override.

If your representative isn't listed below, it is critical that they hear from you today! If you're not sure who your representative is, you can use our easy form to find out and message them if their name is missing.

If your representative is listed below, take a second to thank them. You can look up their contact information at www.wheredoivotema.com and send an email or call their office to give them the thanks they deserve for this important support.

On behalf of the entire Caring Force, thank to you to Rep. David Linsky and all of our current champions signed below who are supporting an override of the Governor's veto of the Salary Reserve! 

The current list of co-signers on Rep. Linsky's letter to Speaker DeLeo includes:

David Linsky, Kevin Aguiar, Denise Andrews, Brian Ashe, Cory Atkins, Ruth Balser, Matthew Beaton, Jennifer Benson, John Binienda, Paul Brodeur, Thomas Calter, Christine Canavan, James Cantwell, Gailanne Cariddi, Tackey Chan, Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, Thomas Conroy, Geraldine Creedon, Mark Cusack, Angelo D'Emilia, Stephen DiNatale, Paul Donato, Peter Durant, James Dwyer, Carolyn Dykema, Lori Ehrlich, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Ryan Fattman, Robert Fennell, Kimberly Ferguson, John Fernandes, Gloria Fox, John Fresolo, William Galvin, Sean Garballey, Denise Garlick, Colleen Garry, Susan Williams Gifford, Anne Gobi, Thomas Golden, Patricia Haddad, Sheila Harrington, Jonathan Hecht, Carlos Henriquez, Bradford Hill, Kate Hogan, Kevin Honan, Donald Humason, Bradley Jones, Louis Kafka, Jay Kaufman, John Keenan, Kay Khan, Peter Kocot, Stephen Kulik, Kevin Kuros, John Lawn, Jason Lewis, Timothy Madden, John Mahoney, Elizabeth Malia, Paul Mark, Christopher Markey, Paul McMurtry, Aaron Michlewitz, David Nangle, Rhonda Nyman, Jerald Parisella, Sarah Peake, Alice Hanlon Peisch, George Peterson, William Pignatelli, Denise Provost, Angelo Puppolo, Dennis Rosa, George Ross, Byron Rushing, Tom Sannicandro, Paul Schmid, John Scibak, Carl Sciortino, Stephen Stat Smith, Frank Smizik, Todd Smola, Theodore Speliotis, Joyce Spiliotis, Thomas Stanley, William Straus, David Sullivan, Benjamin Swan Walter Timilty, Timothy Toomey, David Torrisi, Cleon Turner, David Vieira, Chris Walsh, Martin Walsh, Martha Walz, Dan Winslow, Alice Wolf

If you don't see your representative's name, or aren't sure who they are, make sure you act now to get human service workers the raise they deserve.