We're working toward improving home care
To the editor:
Concerned Citizens for Personal Care is working toward maintaining and improving the quality of home care given to the elderly and disabled by personal care attendants.
CCPC is an advocacy and advisory board focused on personal care attendant issues in Massachusetts. CCPC is a group of private residents in Massachusetts who would like to voluntarily serve their community and state. Such people come from all different backgrounds. Some have disabilities, while others are able bodied. Certain members are professionally oriented while others are retired. The board strives to truly represent the citizenry of Massachusetts. This board is in its infancy and beginning the long journey of development.
People with disabilities and the elderly require PCAs to assist them in their own homes. Such workers are not paid much money. There is a lack of education and scientific knowledge about personal care occupation. There is a high turnover rate with this type of job. It is difficult to hire quality people and mistreatment is not uncommon.
Our core belief is that it is the citizens themselves who can better the quality of PCA services if they are presented with the correct information. The basic mission of the CCPC is to protect and preserve the integrity of the PCA system in Massachusetts. We will work toward maintaining and improving the quality of home care by attempting to:
1. Make sure the population served is safe and well because of the services rendered.
2. Promote self determination among those being served.
3. Ensure the PCA pool is of high caliber and is reimbursed equitably as well as making sure such individuals are recognized for their efforts, while assisting on ideas to keep such services affordable.
4. Support a well functioning union that fairly bargains with the state, respects the law and the population being served while providing adequate representation to the work force.
5. Encourage further academic research and education in home care and related disability issues.
6. Advocate for the development and use of robotic and computer technology as well as animal assistance in home care.
7. Attempt to expand volunteerism in home care to fill in unmet needs that the paid system may not fill.
8. Monitor the state's administration of the PCA program and provide necessary consultation to public officials when necessary to ensure state government is responsive to home care and other disability related needs.
We shall do all of this through providing advice, advocacy, assisting individuals in identifying support resources as well as promoting sound public policy
We would be interested in hearing from any person or group that has been established in another state that has dealt with these issues. We welcome all types of feedback. Anyone who would be interested in joining our group would be welcomed. Please contact: Concerned Citizens for Personal Care, P.O. Box 1274, Andover, MA 01810-0022.
FAY KIMBALL
Vice-president
Concerned Citizens for Personal Care
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U.S. has obligation to maintain security
To the editor:
We are in Iraq and we have to continue to support and enhance the Iraqi government and military so a democracy can take root in a key country in the Middle East.
Iraq is centrally located in the Middle East and comprises a strategic position in the region. It borders Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These countries control a large percentage of the oil reserves in the world, and provide approximately 60 percent of the oil requirements for Europe and 10 percent of U.S. oil imports.
We will eventually withdraw most of our military forces from Iraq, but we will probably have to position residual forces on the order of 20,000 troops in Kurdistan and possibly other parts of Iraq, 10,000 in Kuwait and 2,500 on ships at sea for a number of years into the future. Another 10,000 troops will probably have to be shifted to Afghanistan.
This means out of the 160,000 troops currently in Iraq. approximately 115,000 to 120,000 troops will be moved out of the Middle East to the U.S. and bases in other countries.
The United States has an obligation to maintain strategic equilibrium in the Middle East and other parts of the world by deploying its military forces to deter potential combatants from expansionist policies. As a corollary, we need a future president who comprehends the geopolitics of the world and who will put forth policies that promote our national interests and security and peace in the world.
DONALD A. MOSKOWITZ
Londonderry, N.H.
Congratulations to award winners
To the editor:
I write to recognize and appreciate Pete Peterson and the Lawrence Rotary Club. Each year, during Teacher Appreciation Month, the Rotary Club sponsors a very important event to select and applaud the Lawrence Teacher of the Year. This event, attended by more than 400 people, requires significant planning and effort.
As a former high school teacher, I know the importance of honoring excellence. One of my favorite quotes is, "What is honored in a community will be cultivated there."
I believe in the truth of that statement. We certainly need to honor and cultivate wonderful teachers who dedicate their lives to helping our young people achieve their dreams.
Congratulations to Nicole Romano of the Tarbox School for winning this year's Teacher of the Year Award, as well as Sara Reyes of the Hennessey School for winning the Rising Star Award.
State Sen. SUE TUCKER
Andover
