[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6145-S6146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 625--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9,
2018, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''
Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Brown, Mr.
Markey, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr.
Blumenthal, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Jones, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Casey, Ms.
Baldwin, and Mr. Donnelly) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 625
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 that ensures that individuals with disabilities are--
(1) included as a valued part of the community of the
individual;
(2) supported at home, at work, and in the communities of
the United States; and
(3) empowered to live with the dignity that all people of
the United States deserve;
Whereas all communities have a stake in ensuring that
individuals with disabilities thrive through the connections
of the individuals to their families, friends, and
communities, fostered by the direct support professionals of
those individuals, 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;
Whereas direct support professionals must build close,
respectful, and trusting 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 the environment of the
individuals;
(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 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--
(1) individuals who are receiving health care services for
severe chronic health conditions and individuals with
functional limitations; and
(2) the successful transition of individuals from medical
events to post-acute care and long-term support and services;
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--
[[Page S6146]]
(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 2018, 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 9, 2018, 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, King, Brown, Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar,
Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones, Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly to
recognize the week beginning September 9th, 2018 as National Direct
Support Professionals Recognition Week. 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.
Let me share with you the experience of Euricka Stevens, a direct
support professional who was recognized this year for her incredible
work and dedication when she was given Maryland's Direct Support
Professional, DSP, of the Year Award by the American Network of
Community Options and Resources, ANCOR. It was said of Euricka that
she, ``doesn't see limitations or disabilities. She sees a person for
their distinctive collection of traits and strengths and frailties and
meets them there. She listens to the person and has an uncanny knack
for unearthing what makes them remarkable.''
For example, there was an instance where a non-verbal individual was
experiencing distress. Euricka was able to patiently determine that he
was bothered by noise and calmed by sitting in a recliner. Because of
her efforts, this individual is now able to participate in the life of
the center, and have his needs taken care of if he is showing signs of
discomfort.
As Euricka's story demonstrates, the job of a direct support
professional is not easy. The hours are often long, and the wages are
low. The job can be physically laborious, as well as emotionally
draining. The reward for direct support professionals, however, is that
they are able to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and
help fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act by
making it possible for these Americans to participate in their
communities to the fullest extent possible.
In our Nation, we are incredibly fortunate to have millions of
service-oriented individuals 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 and Senators Collins, King, Brown,
Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar, Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones,
Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly in expressing our 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 9, 2018, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition
Week.
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