Over 20 years working on caregiving solutions & this is the first time a presidential campaign has made investments in the care economy a core strategy in their economic agenda. Not a side issue, an add on, or a special interest. [THREAD]
Also, the needs of care workers -- the domestic workers, home care, child care workers & educators who support America's working families and their own -- their wages, benefits, training & care are front & center, as they should be.
This workforce has always been vast majority women, disproportionately Black women & immigrant women of color, and have been systematically excluded from the recognition, protections & opportunity they deserve.
The pandemic has revealed just how essential the work is. And no matter what, these are going to be a large share of the jobs of the future -- they can't be outsourced or automated -- and we clearly need them. They must become good jobs.
The plan addresses respect & dignity for the workforce alongside a vast need on the part of all working families for access to home & community-based care, supports and services for older people & people with disabilities, through eliminating wait lists & other investments.
Key storylines here: families are multigenerational, care workers need care too, more choice & investment in home & community based care is needed. This is a reflection of decades of organizing & advocacy on the part of so many organizations & leaders.
I've been advocating for Universal Family Care - universal access to child care, long-term care & paid family leave & all care jobs -> good jobs. This plan is not that but it puts us on a hopeful path. The care economy is a public good. We need public policy to make it a reality.
