Ventura County home care workers reach tentative agreement with County Board of Supervisors for higher pay

VENTURA, Calif. — Vickey Manning is first and foremost a mom, but like many people who work in home care, she wears several hats.

“We are psychologists, honorary doctors, honorary nurses, masseurs, social workers, whatever you want to call it. We’re doing it,” Manning said.

Manning, 77, cares for his 58-year-old son Michael, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is bedridden, a physically demanding job.

“You have to work with the catheter. There are medications, injections, and a series of movements that need to be performed to provide the body with maximum comfort,” Manning said.

And the work doesn’t end there. Manning says home care providers must also attend to the emotional needs of their clients.

Currently, home health support workers – most of them women of color – earn $18.25 an hour.

“So many of our people can’t make a living on this. We also have things like caps where you can go as far as you can negotiate,” Manning said.

If the tentative agreement is ratified, caregivers are expected to earn $19.55 per hour by February 2025 and $20.57 per hour by July 2026.

Funds for specialized training will increase from $10,000 to $20,000 per year.

Training includes medication administration and mental health support.

“Due to Covid-19 and other life issues, many of our people need, you know, mental health training and how to not only take care of yourself but also help those in your care,” Manninga said.

The new contract will raise standards for the nearly 8,000 home health care workers who provide long-term care in Ventura County.