The Caring Force Blog

On Friday, September 18, over 250 advocates in Caring Force gold filled Westfield State University for the Western MA Rally, the region’s third rally during National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week.

This August, we honor Tamsin McNally, a Developmental Specialist at Opportunity Works in Newburyport.

On August 5, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will consider the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 3211). This markup represents a critical juncture for this bipartisan legislation, and we need your help!

The following images are meant to inspire you when creating your design for our 2026 T-Shirt Design Contest! Below in the gallery there are images from The Caring Force across the past 15 years, pictures of our mascot, QT and some designs from last year that we loved! This gallery will be evolving. 

We’re inviting YOU to design the back of our special-edition gold Caring Force t-shirt worn by members statewide on rally days and sold in our online store for TCF’s 15th Anniversary!

Senator Sal DiDomenico has filed Amendment #403 to the Economic Development Bill, which would invest $6 million to expand access to student loan repayment for Massachusetts’ human services workforce.

This July, we honor Constance Harris, a Registered Nurse Case Manager from Berkshire County Arc. 

Unfortunately, amendment #429, “Promoting the Human Services Workforce,” that was based on our livable wage bill, was dropped from the final bill text of House Bill 5562, otherwise known as the economic development bill, alongside over 700 other amendments.