With the human services sector on the precipice of a workforce crisis, the Providers’ Council and our members knew in 2017 that we needed to initiate some significant steps to help strengthen our sector. Then we made a decision: We would rise up. We would show up. We would speak up. For her, for him and for them.
Joining with a full service communications firm, the Providers’ Council launched the “Rise Up” campaign and used powerful imagery to attract individuals to careers in the human services sector. Along with our “Who Will Care? The Workforce Crisis in Human Services” report, a new state-of-the-art Jobs with Heart site and advanced marketing efforts, the Council took major steps to strengthen the human services workforce.
The Council also continued other efforts to make a difference for our members, engaging officials on its public policy agenda, creating new education and training programs and finding ways to save members time and money through relationships with Endorsed Business Partners. At the State House, we testified on our loan repayment and fair pay bills, and we held private briefings for state legislators on these issues. Through our trainings, workshops and Providers’ eAcademy, we helped more than 30,000 human services employees further their education and career goals. And we contributed through coalitions, partnerships, and relationships to advance our sector’s image and public policy initiatives.
A major initiative of the Council was also the organization’s commitment to diversity that is essential to our caring communities throughout the Commonwealth. The organization’s Race, Diversity and Inclusion Committee held three Healing Racism experiences with the team from Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley. The highly rated sessions helped nearly 100 executives from human services organizations advance diversity, inclusion and privilege in our lives, our workplaces and our communities.
Our sold-out convention’s theme was “We’re All In” and we will continue to work with you in 2018 to rise up, show up and speak up for everyone involved with our sector. Thank you for your commitment to human services, to the work you do, and most of all, to the people you serve. Your efforts make a world of difference in helping all residents of Commonwealth live their best possible lives.
Sincerely,
Jackie K. Moore, Ph.D
Board Chair
Michael D. Weekes
President/CEO