[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5747-S5748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 258--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10,
2017, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''
Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr.
Markey, Mr. Portman, Mr. King, Ms. Warren, Mr. Menendez, and Ms.
Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. Res. 258
Whereas direct support professionals, including direct care
workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home
support workers, and paraprofessionals, are key to providing
publicly funded, long-term support and services for millions
of individuals with disabilities;
Whereas direct support professionals provide essential
support to help keep individuals with disabilities connected
to their families, friends, and communities so as to avoid
more costly institutional care;
Whereas direct support professionals support individuals
with disabilities by helping those individuals make person-
centered choices that lead to meaningful, productive lives;
[[Page S5748]]
Whereas direct support professionals must build close,
respectful, and trusted relationships with individuals with
disabilities;
Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range
of individualized support to individuals with disabilities,
including--
(1) assisting with the preparation of meals;
(2) helping with medication;
(3) assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of
daily living;
(4) assisting with access to their environment;
(5) providing transportation to school, work, religious,
and recreational activities; and
(6) helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting
with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal
interests;
Whereas the participation of direct support professionals
in medical care planning is critical to the successful
transition of individuals from medical events to post-acute
care and long-term support and services;
Whereas there is a documented critical and increasing
shortage of direct support professionals throughout the
United States;
Whereas direct support professionals are a critical element
in supporting individuals who are receiving health care
services for severe chronic health conditions and individuals
with functional limitations;
Whereas many direct support professionals are the primary
financial providers for their families;
Whereas direct support professionals are hardworking,
taxpaying citizens who provide an important service to people
with disabilities in the United States, yet many continue to
earn low wages, receive inadequate benefits, and have limited
opportunities for advancement, resulting in high turnover and
vacancy rates that adversely affect the quality of support,
safety, and health of individuals with disabilities;
Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States, in Olmstead
v. L.C. by Zimring, 527 U.S. 581 (June 22, 1999)--
(1) recognized the importance of the deinstitutionalization
of, and community-based services for, individuals with
disabilities; and
(2) held that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S. 12101 et seq.), a State must provide community-
based services to persons with intellectual and developmental
disabilities if--
(A) the community-based services are appropriate;
(B) the affected person does not oppose receiving the
community-based services; and
(C) the community-based services can be reasonably
accommodated after the community has taken into account the
resources available to the State and the needs of other
individuals with disabilities in the State; and
Whereas, in 2017, the majority of direct support
professionals are employed in home- and community-based
settings and that trend will increase over the next decade:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week beginning September 10, 2017, as
``National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week'';
(2) recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct
support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals
with disabilities of all ages;
(3) appreciates the contribution of direct support
professionals in supporting individuals with disabilities and
their families in the United States;
(4) commends direct support professionals for being
integral to the provision of long-term support and services
for individuals with disabilities;
(5) encourages the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
Department of Labor to collect data specific to direct
support professionals; and
(6) finds that the successful implementation of the public
policies affecting individuals with disabilities in the
United States depends on the dedication of direct support
professionals.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senators
Collins, Brown, Blumenthal, Markey, Portman, King, Warren, Menendez,
and Klobuchar to recognize the week beginning September 10th, 2017--
this week--as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.
The Senate has passed a similar resolution for the past nine years.
Direct Support Professionals are an invaluable part of our Nation's
health care system, caring for the most vulnerable Americans, including
the chronically ill, seniors, and those living with a disability. With
the help of Direct Support Professionals, these individuals can perform
daily activities that many people take for granted, such as eating,
bathing, dressing, and leaving the house. The work of Direct Support
Professionals ensures that these individuals can be active participants
in their communities.
In our Country, we are incredibly fortunate to have millions of
service-oriented Americans who are willing to rise to the task of
becoming a Direct Support Professional. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the employment of DSPs is projected to grow by an
average of 26 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to a 7 percent
average growth rate for all occupations during that period.
Unfortunately, direct support professionals are often forced to leave
the jobs they love due to low wages and excessive, difficult, work
hours. Many Direct Support Professionals rely on public benefits, and
some must work multiple jobs in order to provide for themselves and
their families. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we work to
ensure that these hard-working individuals have the income and
emotional support they need and deserve.
I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing appreciation for the
critically important work of our Country's Direct Support
Professionals, in thanking them for their commitment and dedication,
and in supporting the resolution designating the week beginning
September 10, 2017, as National Direct Support Professionals
Recognition Week.
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