The Unsung Heroes of Our Community:

Direct Care Workers and the Lifeline of the American Rescue Plan Act

As the backbone of our healthcare system, direct care workers include home health aides, nursing assistants, personal care aides, and other professionals who provide essential services to those in need. They offer hands-on care to Baltimore's aging population, people with disabilities, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Baltimore’s direct care workforce often subsists on low wages. A Maryland Regional Direct Services Collaborative study states, “Inadequate compensation is the single biggest factor driving the workforce crisis