Direct Care Worker Appreciation Week!
The DCWC Leadership team, made up of all stakeholders, worked for several months to create Colorado’s first Direct Care Worker Appreciation Week to honor the incredible work of Colorado’s 60,000 direct care workers. Governor Jared Polis has officially declared April 2 to April 8, 2023 as Direct Care Worker Appreciation Week!
On April 4, 2023 at 9 a.m. Representative Mary Young and Senator Joann Ginal will pay tribute to the state’s direct care workforce in the House and Senate chambers at the State Capitol Building, recognizing their contributions to Colorado’s health care system and celebrating their valuable work.
Attend in person – meet April 4, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in House or Senate Chambers – State Capitol 200 E. Colfax Ave. Denver 80203
Attend virtually – www.coloradochannel.net
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Gov. Polis recognizes direct care workers, legislative tribute set for April 4
(DENVER, CO.) – In recognition of Colorado’s 60,000 direct care workers, Gov. Jared Polis declared April
2 to April 8, 2023 as direct care worker appreciation week. Direct care workers provide care and
assistance with activities of daily living to more than 70,000 people who receive long-term services and
supports in their homes, host homes, group homes, assisted living residences, and nursing homes.
On April 4 at 9 a.m. Rep. Mary Young and Sen. Joann Ginal will pay tribute in the House and Senate
chambers to the state’s direct care workforce, recognizing their contributions to Colorado’s health care
system and celebrating their valuable work.
These dedicated direct care workers have been responsible for providing physical, emotional, and
behavioral health services during the extraordinarily challenging COVID-19 pandemic and Colorado’s
most vulnerable citizens have greatly benefited over the years from the personal commitments that
have been made by these exceptional direct care workers.
In 2022, the State of Colorado made the single largest investment in direct care workers by establishing
a base wage of $15 an hour for those taking care of individuals on Medicaid. However, despite this
increase, 37 percent of direct care workers in Colorado are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty
Level ($55,000 annually for a family of four). According to PHI, most of Colorado’s direct care workers
are women and 44 percent identify as non-white.