California: Update on Caregivers Opting Out of Automatic Info Sharing with Unions

HCAOA recently sent out an UPDATED message explaining how caregivers may opt-out of automatic sharing of their contact information with labor unions.
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DSS has clarified that caregivers may only do this in one of two ways:

1. Fill out the second page of the two page opt-out notice received from the Department of Social Services and mail both pages to: DSS Home Care Services Bureau, 744 P Street, MS 9-14-90, Sacramento, CA 95814
2. Fill out the second page of the two page opt-out notice received from the Department of Social Services, photograph or scan both pages, and email the photos or scanned file to [email protected]. Note: Caregivers must PHOTOGRAPH or SCAN the document mailed to them and then email it. Both pages must be scanned because the first page contains your PER ID number. It is not enough to simply email a sentence stating that they don’t want their contact information shared.

 
For those who use WellSky to text their caregivers, here is a message that can be sent through their platform:
 
Department of Social Services (DSS) Opt-Out Letter - FYI: CA law protects the right of all caregivers to “opt-out” of allowing DSS to share your personal contact information with unions. If you don’t want your information shared, you should fill out and then scan or photograph both pages of the letter DSS sent you regarding the opt-out and email it to: [email protected] as soon as possible.
 
If a caregiver has lost or did not receive the opt-out notice, they may request a new one by calling 1-877-424-5778 or emailing [email protected].
 
CA members may discuss this issue with DSS in-person at the upcoming HCAOA California Chapter meetings--Northern California on November 1 and Southern California on November 2.