The Caring Force, the grassroots advocacy initiative of the Providers' Council, empowers supporters of the human services sector to drive meaningful change. Our mission is to create a stronger Massachusetts—one that protects our most vulnerable neighbors while ensuring human services workers receive the pay, recognition, and respect they deserve.
The Caring Force Provides Testimony Before Joint Committee
Yesterday, Tuesday, May 13, our student loan repayment bill was heard before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities at the State House. Two members of The
Central MA and MetroWest Legislative Breakfast Highlights
The Caring Force State House Rally was bookended by two impactful events that underscored the strength and solidarity of the human services sector: the Providers of Central Massachusetts’ 34th Annual Legislative Breakfast on May 2 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and the MetroWest Human Services Advocacy Coalition’s 21st Annual Legislative Breakfast on May 9 at the Memorial Building in downtown Framingham.
Advancing Wage Equity for Human Services Workers
Legislation filed to close the pay gap between human services workers at community nonprofits and state employees doing similar work. If passed, the bill will eliminate the disparity by July 1, 2028, ensuring fair wages and strengthening the workforce critical to serving vulnerable residents in Massachusetts.
Supporting Human Services Professionals Through Loan Repayment
Proposed legislation aims to establish a student loan repayment program for human services workers, addressing workforce challenges by offering financial relief to professionals who dedicate their careers to supporting vulnerable populations in Massachusetts.
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025 at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.
Hosted by: The Arc Center of Hope Foundation | Sponsored by: ADDP, Advocates, CENTRO, Community Resources for Justice, Kennedy-Donovan Center, JRI, LUK Inc., Pernet Family Services, Providers’ Council, OpenSky Community Services, Seven Hills Foundation, Sunshine Village, THRIVE, The ARC of Massachusetts, The Arc of Opportunity of North Central Massachusetts, Venture Community Services
Date: Friday, May 9th, 2025 at Nevins Hall (Memorial Building), Framingham, MA
Hosted by: SMOC | Sponsored by: Advocates, Behavioral Health Partners MetroWest, Jewish Family Services of MetroWest, JRI, The Caring Force, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
The Caring Force is gearing up for another powerful year of advocacy in 2025, and we’re excited to bring back our regional rallies!
In 2024, we expanded our advocacy efforts by hosting five regional rallies across the state—in Peabody, Taunton, Framingham, Westfield, and Worcester—alongside our annual State House Rally and Lobby Day. These events provided an opportunity for human services workers, clients, and supporters to come together, share their stories, and call for meaningful legislative action.
Building on last year’s success, we are once again planning a series of regional rallies to ensure that even more voices are heard across the Commonwealth. Check out the list to the right to see what’s in store!
If you or your organization are interested in participating in a regional rally, please email Isabella A. Lee. Additionally, if you know of other providers who may want to join, we encourage you to spread the word!
Together, we can make 2025 another powerful year of advocacy for human services workers and the individuals they support!
Empowering Voter Engagement in Human Services
CareVote, the Providers’ Council’s nonpartisan initiative, encourages civic participation among human services workers and the individuals they support, fostering informed voting to strengthen the sector and advocate for critical issues in Massachusetts.