Resolution Highlights Service of Direct Support Professionals

In a show of bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 228 designating the week beginning September 14 as "National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week." Sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), the resolution recognizes the invaluable supports Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide and the difference this workforce makes in the lives of Americans with disabilities.

As part of the National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR worked with Senator Nelson and key ANCOR members on this resolution to coincide with the annual Governmental Activities Seminar taking place September 13-15 in Washington, D.C.

The resolution received considerable attention in the Senate and gained nine co-sponsors including, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Thank you to all of the state teams so instrumental in gathering these original co-sponsors!

Along with the passage of this Resolution by the U.S. Senate, ANCOR has worked with key members in the states to successfully have gubernatorial DSP Recognition Week proclamations issued in Colorado, Maine, Nebraska, New York and Virginia. We hope to add more states in the coming weeks!

Click here for more information about DSP Recognition Week and ways you can celebrate and advocate for DSPs.