Public News Service: Governor Gregoire "Walks the Walk" on Home Care

There's nothing like on-the-job experience. At least that's how Governor Chris Gregoire sees it; she spent a day walking in the shoes of Tacoma home care worker Rosa Vadillo. Gov. Gregoire says she came away from the experience with a better understanding of the struggle that tens of thousands of local home care workers face each and every day.

"This particular individual works about 54 hours a week to make ends meet, she works for two agencies. We're going to desperately need people like Rosa, who are trained, who are professional, to come in and provide that care to people who have to rely on it. It's the fiscally-responsible thing to do; it's a whole lot cheaper for in-home care than it is for care outside the home."

Gov. Gregoire says she gained a lot of first-hand knowledge walking a day in Rosa's shoes. She says this country has to stop taking home care workers for granted, and it's important they get both the necessary training and a chance to earn a livable wage.

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