WHEREAS, our country is facing a "care gap", with the population of individuals who need long-term direct care services expected to grow to 27 million in 2050, while the current direct care workforce is 3 million; and

WHEREAS, in the state of Washington, recent federal government reports indicate that 16.2% of residents receive Social Security benefits, 14.6% of residents receive Medicare benefits, and 15.4% of residents receive Medicaid benefits and depend on these vital programs as a foundation for their economic survival; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2010 Census, 10.3% of the Seattle population is 65 or older, and 12.1% of the population is between the ages of 55 and 64; and

WHEREAS, in Seattle, 3,792 individuals receive home care support through DSHS, and the number will grow as the baby-boomers age; and

WHEREAS, additionally, 21% of the U.S. adult population age 18 and older provides unpaid care to an adult age 18 or older; and

WHEREAS, caring for the aging and people with disabilities is among our most important responsibilities as a nation, yet across the country individuals and families are struggling to find quality care that meets their full range of needs, and is dependable and affordable; and

WHEREAS, seniors and individuals with disabilities thrive in communities that provide choice as well as access to in-home care and integration, and in turn, communities thrive when they are diverse and inclusive of seniors and people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, home and community based care options are often more affordable and more cost effective than larger residential care settings, yet the direct care workforce in these settings is not protected by many important labor laws, including overtime protection and minimum wagecreating substandard working conditions that threaten the standards for all working people; and

WHEREAS, in King County, 62.5% of direct care workers earn less than 200% of the poverty level, and in Seattle, the care workforce is made up of 65.4% people of color and only 24.4% of home care workers have employer-sponsored health insurance; and

WHEREAS, the direct care workforce does not have uniform training standards and a meaningful career ladder that provides opportunities for advancement; and

WHEREAS, immigrants are filling the vital role of care workers all over the country, but the lack of a pathway to citizenship pushes workers into an underground economy, and destabilizes our communities through the constant threat of deportation; and

WHEREAS, because all members of our society deserve a dignified quality of life, and dignified, quality jobs, Seattle is one of over 15 cities across the country hosting a Care Congress, bringing together family care givers, long-term care workers, domestic workers, care recipients and families to build across generations for change; and

WHEREAS, our federal, state and local governments have the responsibility to make policy changes that address these needs.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. The City of Seattle supports the Caring Across Generations campaign. The campaign's policy agenda calls on our country to:

a. Protect a worker's right to organize;

b. Fund increased access to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security;

c. Increase the number of living wage jobs with access to health insurance, other benefits, and health and safety protections necessary to meet the growing demand for direct care;

d. Enable rewarding career paths with linguistically and culturally relevant training programs to improve quality of care and safety for care workers;

e. Provide a path to legal status and citizenship for undocumented care workers and their families that is tied to participation in training and certification programs;

f. Support individuals and families who hire direct care workers by creating a tax credit, adding long term care coverage as part of the Medicare coverage package, and by providing training and assistance on how to hire and retain direct care workers; and

g. Support for individuals and families who are providing unpaid kin care, through Social Security care-giving credits, paid family leave, and childcare subsidies.

Section 2. Seattle City Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) will promote these interests with local, regional, state, federal and governments, including the National League of Cities, and support legislation that advances the Caring Across Generations campaign, including Senate Resolution 453.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2012, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day

of ______________________, 2012.

_________________________________

President ___________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2012.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)

Lisa Herbold Leg, CaringAcrossGenerationsRES June 13, 2012) Version #2