[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18274]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING SOUTH DAKOTA DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
hard work of employees at three excellent South Dakota organizations, 
Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training 
Center, and Community Connections, who have each sent representatives 
to Washington, DC, this week to take part in the American Network of 
Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) 2008 Governmental Activities 
Seminar.
  In my work in Congress, I have made fair and equitable treatment of 
people with disabilities a priority. Identifying the key issues and 
areas on which to focus has been the result of a dialogue with those 
who know the issues best: people like the employees at Black Hills 
Workshop, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections. 
These good folks are working in South Dakota right now to provide 
direct support and services to individuals with disabilities of all 
ages.
  Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training 
Center, and Community Connections employ nearly 600 direct support 
professionals (DSPs) who provide a range of supports seven days a week, 
24-hours a day to help those with mental and physical disabilities live 
and work in their community. Together this outstanding, highly trained, 
highly skilled, and highly committed workforce supports nearly 800 
people with disabilities in South Dakota as they strive to live up to 
their potential and be as independent as they can be. Many of the 
people receiving supports from DSPs, both at these three agencies and 
around the country, hold paid and volunteer jobs, contributing a great 
deal to their communities. But without the dedicated daily work of 
DSPs, such contributions may not be possible and the lives of 
individuals with disabilities and their families would be disrupted and 
unfulfilled.
  Without an adequately paid, trained and dedicated workforce, our 
Nation's individuals with disabilities and their families face a less 
secure future. Without the necessary workforce, providers cannot help 
our Nation fulfill the commitment Congress made to people with 
disabilities in the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the U.S. 
Supreme Court affirmed in its Olmstead decision.
  I applaud the people at Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, 
Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections for taking a 
lead on this workforce issue. And, as a member of the Bipartisan 
Disabilities Caucus and the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I 
encourage all of my Colleagues to examine their commitment to providing 
the best support possible to the people with disabilities in their 
districts.
  There is no better way to recognize the contribution DSPs make to the 
Nation than to ensure that they are fairly compensated. Direct support 
professionals make a difference; they should make a living too. I ask 
that my colleagues join with me in cosponsoring the bipartisan Direct 
Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279) and to urge 
hearings on this important issue in the coming months.

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