Protecting Care in Times of Disruption

As we confront a national “care crisis”—where care support is inaccessible and unaffordable for many, and there is a shortage of care workers who are often devalued and poorly paid—care work should be widely recognized as an essential foundation of our society. Instead, we are in a moment of escalating political and economic attacks that threaten care workers at multiple levels. Sharp cuts to healthcare and attacks on the rights of workers, people of color, and immigrants put care workers and our entire care infrastructure at risk. This is a pivotal moment for workers and advocates to come together to strategize how to protect care workers and strengthen their collective power.

The Worker Institute will host the 2026 Future of Care Work Convening with the theme Protecting Care in Times of Disruption, bringing together advocates, care workers, labor leaders, scholars, and organizers who are committed to placing the needs and voices of care workers themselves at the center of discussions on the future of care work. Building on the energy of previous years’ convenings, this year’s speakers, panels, and action sessions will first focus on mapping the challenges care workers face and then explore the vital organizing strategies and state and local policy responses being advanced to protect care workers.

This is a two-day, in-person event. There will be an opening reception and activities on Friday, June 5 and an all-day event with panels and interactive breakout sessions on Saturday, June 6.

On the afternoon of June 6, there will be two tracks for panels and workshops: one track for child care and one track for home care and healthcare.

If you have any questions, please contact Zoë West.