Announcements
The DSHS Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) is adding more community members in 2026. Right now, we are seeking caregivers:
- With long-term experience working in group settings based in rural areas. This could be assisted living, adult family homes, skilled nursing facilities or enhanced services facilities.
- Who are unpaid providing in-home care to a family member.
Before deciding to apply, it’s important to know that we offer community compensation stipends for meeting participation (subject to available budget). Members can choose whether to accept these stipends when offered. Based on the Washington State Office of Equity’s current guidelines, this equals $57 per hour, or $114 for each two-hour meeting attended. If you choose to receive stipends when these are available:
We do need to collect some personal details (such as social security number and mailing address) to process payments. Under current laws, your personal information will be protected.
- You will need to provide DSHS with a tax form and may need to report meeting stipends as income on your tax return.
- If you receive certain benefits like WIC, SNAP, TANF or housing subsidies, earning extra income might affect your eligibility amounts for those programs.
- Here is a link if you'd like to read more about how payments can affect your taxes and benefits: bit.ly/WA-compensation.
Also, meeting materials are subject to Washington state public records retention and disclosure rules. Written copies of meeting materials are available to the public if requested. Member contact information is considered private and will not be disclosed to any third party unless permission has been given to do so.
Interested?
Nominate yourself by filling out the DCWC Nomination Form by Feb. 27, 2026. Spots are limited. Brief interviews will be conducted with applicants identified for follow-up.
Know Someone Who Might Be Interested?
Feel free to send them a link to this webpage or send them this flyer before the Feb. 27, 2026 deadline!
The Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) is an advocacy group created by the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) with the purpose to give a voice to people providing direct care services across the state. This forum allows caregivers from all settings to engage in conversations about the benefits and challenges of providing direct care and to provide feedback about proposals to ALTSA that will impact caregivers.
DCWC Focus Areas
The DCWC is responsible for providing feedback to and partnering with HCLA as we develop recommendations and policies regarding:
- Caregiver recruitment strategies
- Caregiver retention strategies
- Caregiver training
- Career and professional development
- Data gathering and analysis
- Regulations
- Caregiver supports
- Programs and services for clients that impact caregivers
- Cutting edge programs and new technologies
- Identifying opportunities to improve job quality of caregivers
- Promoting community involvement in rebranding of direct care workers
Meetings
The DCWC meets virtually bimonthly on the 3rd Thursday from 2 to 4 pm.
Membership
The DCWC is comprised of up to 20 members to include Home Care Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, or Individual Providers who help older adults and people with disabilities to work and live where they want, including individual homes, assisted living facilities, nursing facilities, and adult family homes.
Contact Information
If you have additional questions or need assistance, please contact:
- Jennifer Phillips, Strategic Engagement Manager, jennifer.phillips3@dshs.wa.gov
- Alia Granger, Strategic Improvement Manager, alia.granger@dshs.wa.gov
ALTSA values the diverse caregiver experience. We are committed to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion. ALTSA staff will give DCWC members accommodations and supports to attend each meeting.