Tara Blakley
As we all struggle through this pandemic, one thing is abundantly clear â caregivers provide a critical service and we need more caregivers throughout Napa County. Caregiving requires compassion and patience; it can be a flexible and a rewarding way to earn money, while also making a difference in someoneâs life.
If you are a caregiver, or if you need to hire a caregiver, this article contains information you need to know!
In February 2020, the Board of Supervisors amended an ordinance requiring all caregivers providing in-home care in Napa County, for any sort of compensation, be background checked and screened for tuberculosis. The original ordinance, adopted in 2010, was the first of its kind in the state of California and demonstrated the commitment our community has to protecting vulnerable seniors and disabled adults and legitimizing the difficult and important work of caregivers. In 2016, the Home Care Services Protection Act was passed and this state legislation, supported by Bill Dodd, provided an opportunity to strengthen the local ordinance and it created a mechanism for community members and law enforcement to verify whether a caregiver was background checked and registered with the state of California. This led to the newly adopted Elder and Dependent Adult Protection Law.