At a time when many nonprofit organizations are struggling to survive, the New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition (NMDCC) is establishing itself as a strong advocate.

Founded last year, the coalition gives family caregivers as well as professional direct-care workers the opportunity to speak out on various workforce issues in a unified voice.

The coalition is expanding. It was recently recognized by the federal government as a 501(c)(6), and is now seeking an executive director (pdf).

The Coalition’s Mission

“Family and professional caregivers have built this grassroots movement,” said Adrienne R. Smith, president of Education and Workforce Consultants in New Mexico and the person responsible for organizational start-up of the Coalition. “Organizational infrastructure is in place, with goals and activities developed around what direct-care workers have told us they want and need.”

On its website, the NMDCC states that its overarching goal is to improve direct-care workers’ quality of life. The NMDCC works to achieve that goal by:

• Working with state lawmakers and government officials to develop better health benefits for New Mexico’s direct-care workforce
• Posting job openings and and professional training opportunities on its website
• Giving workers a platform from which they can advocate for various job improvements, such as higher wages
• Granting direct-care workers the opportunity to “enhance and promote [their] professionalism and image”

New Mexico’s direct-care workforce totaled 24,700 in 2006, the last year for which data are available.

Applications for Executive Director

The executive director will be responsible for encouraging the further growth of the NMDCC. The ED reports to the NMDCC’s 10-member board of directors, all of whom are direct-care workers.

Applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to nmexchange@aol.com by March 3.

– by Matthew Ozga