Comments on: Joanne Rader: “It’s the Direct-Care Worker, Stupid”

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:40:56 +0000

Bravo! A very enlightening article.

Management need to seek input from the direct care staff, as they have the most up to date knowledge of the consumer’s needs. Often times when an annual review meeting is scheduled for the consumers at my work site, the management does not know the names of the clients with whom they are meeting. By including one (or two!) direct care staff, the real important issues could be brought up for discussion. It’s the Direct Care staff that have the “boots on the ground” and know the areas where things could be improved on.

Until management starts using this huge informational asset, they will continue to make rules/decisions based purely on how it affects the budget.

Keep the articles coming! I look forward to each one and have gotten quite a bit of information from reading them!

By: Toni Stefan

Toni Stefan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:30:20 +0000

If only everyone would acknowledge and practive Joanne Radar’s philosphy. All too often, those in Upper / Sr.Management propose solutions and ideas which look perfect on paper but are’nt the true reality. Direct Care Staff Workers really do know how to approach situations with the individuals they work with every day and realize specific and specified times are not always the solution and some situations require an individualized approach that only the Direct Care Staff are able to achieve. What a great article.

By: Ria Turner

Ria Turner — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:19:25 +0000

Thank you Joanne Radar – what an up-lifting article.
Direct Care workers are all too often left out of the solution process until someone who may have never had a conversation with the individual let alone worked with the individual comes along to inform the Direct Care staff what they should or should not be doing. Other times, Direct Care people play a valued role but are never given reconition or credit for how valued the role they play in an individuals life is. If everyone at the top had the same approach as Joanne Radar maybe those in the Middle or on the Direct Level could recieve the information, dignity, and respect they so well deseve.

Ria Turner – Philadelphia

By: Maria DeStefanis

Maria DeStefanis — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:58:54 +0000

What a refreshing article!It’s about time Direct Care Workers where reconized as the proffessionals they truly are.As explained in the article, Direct Care staff opionions, suggestions and acceptance of solutions is crucial for success. When Adminstrative and Sr.Staff members communicate or present ideas to Direct Staff and Middle Management without making them part of the process this strips them of their dignity and sense of importance-a real moral zapper to say the least. In addittion, soliciting their in-put is a loss to the individuals we are assisting and supporting.If Direct Care Staff know their opinion and information they provide will be valued and reconized everyone wins from the Administrative / Sr.Staff to the most important people of all – those we are supporting and helping. While this article is based on Direct Care in a medical setting it can be applied to almost any Social or Human Services setting. Kudos and a million thanks to Joanne Radar!!

By: Patricia Downing

Patricia Downing — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:24:11 +0000

Hats off to Joanne Radar for recognizing that the direct care workers knows more about their residents than most nurses do. We spend way more time with them and are able to communicate with our residents than any other staff person. It’s time for us to be given the recognition of knowing what is best for our residents.