The U.S. Senate has proclaimed September 12-18 to be 2010 National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.

This is the third consecutive year that the Senate has unanimously approved a resolution to designate a specific week to honor direct support professionals. The resolution (pdf) was sponsored by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and had multiple co-sponsors.

A dozen states are also recognizing Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week this year.

Advocacy Planned

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) are calling on direct support professionals, self-advocates, and family members to “Call on Congress” on September 14 to let them know about the need for better wages for community residential direct support professionals.

The groups are urging that members of Congress support the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 868), which would amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide funds to states to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid program.

ANCOR is sponsoring a Governmental Activities Seminar and a “Direct Support Professionals to DC” event from September 12-14. The three-day event will culminate with visits to members of Congress on the final afternoon.

Providers are encouraged to bring their direct support professionals with them to Capitol Hill. Registration information is available online.

ANCOR has also provided 10 ideas (pdf) for events and other actions to celebrate Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.

– by Deane Beebe