Senators Cardin and Collins Introduce DSP Recognition Week Resolution

Every year, ANCOR advocates for the Senate to introduce a resolution celebrating Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. Our champions on this issue have consistently been Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME). This year they again delivered with S.Res. 625 – pending the text being uploaded to the Congressional page, it is available here. As stated in Senator Cardin’s press release:

“‘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,’ said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee. ‘Unfortunately, the job of a direct support professional is not easy. It can be physically laborious, as well as emotionally draining. It is imperative that we work to ensure that these hard-working individuals have the income and emotional support they need and deserve.’

‘Direct support professionals play an essential role in our communities by providing those in need with critical support that leads to more independent living and a better quality of life,’ said Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee. ‘Our bipartisan resolution ensures that these professionals receive the recognition they deserve.  I thank all direct support professionals for their hard work and dedication.’

In addition to Senators Cardin and Collins, the resolution marking Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week was cosponsored by a record number of supporters: Senators Angus King (I-ME), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Doug Jones (D-AL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).”

If you are represented by any of these Senators, please take a moment to thank them for their support of this resolution. Doris Parfaite-Claude, Federal Advocacy and Research Manager, can help you identify their office contacts – please email her at [email protected].