III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 559 

Designating the week of September 12, 2016, as ‘‘National Direct Support 

Professionals Recognition Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 

Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. BROWN, Mr. 

BLUMENTHAL, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. KING, 

Ms. WARREN, and Ms. AYOTTE) submitted the following resolution; which 

was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the week of September 12, 2016, as ‘‘National 

Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week’’. 

Whereas direct support professionals, including direct care 

workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, inhome 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; 


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•SRES 559 ATS 

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 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; 


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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 2016, the majority of direct support professionals are employed in home- and community-based setVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:29 Sep 14, 2016 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR559.ATS SR559

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•SRES 559 ATS 

tings and that trend will increase over the next decade: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the week of September 12, 2016, 

3 as ‘‘National Direct Support Professionals Recogni4 tion Week’’; 

5 (2) recognizes and appreciates the contribution, 

6 dedication, and vital role of direct support profes7 sionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with dis8 abilities of all ages; 

9 (3) commends direct support professionals for 

10 being integral to the provision of long-term support 

11 and services for individuals with disabilities; and 

12 (4) finds that the successful implementation of 

13 the public policies affecting individuals with disabil14 ities in the United States depends on the dedication 

15 of direct support professionals. 

Æ 


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