New Momentum for Federal Recognition of Direct Support Professionals as Congress Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation

ALEXANDRIA, VA. – On Wednesday, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (H.R. 6137/S. 3211) was reintroduced in both chambers of Congress, marking renewed momentum for legislation that would help to establish a standard occupational classification (SOC) for direct support professionals.

ANCOR has long supported this critical measure, as the creation of a SOC recognizing direct support professionals (DSPs) would provide the data infrastructure needed to address the recruitment and retention crisis that has left people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) without adequate support to live, work and thrive in the community.

For decades, community providers have faced significant staffing challenges delivering community-based services for people with I/DD. The most recent available data from National Core Indicators finds, for example, that turnover rates nationally average around 40 percent, while vacancy rates for direct support positions average 12-15 percent nationally. These outcomes stem from long-term underinvestment in Medicaid—the main source of funding for community-based I/DD services—and result in restricted access to these services. For example, ANCOR’s own research published just last month finds that 62 percent of providers are declining to serve new referrals, while 29 percent are discontinuing existing services.

The picture painted by this data is bleak, but incomplete, as our full understanding of the DSP workforce crisis has been hindered by a dearth of data stemming from the absence of federal recognition of that workforce. A distinct SOC defining DSPs as a profession would enable the federal government to track employment and wage data specific to the nuances of direct support work. This data is essential for informing Medicaid policy decisions, including payment rates that directly impact workforce stability.

“Community-based services are currently at an inflection point, with numerous states implementing or considering funding cuts within their Medicaid programs in 2026 and additional reductions anticipated due to the budget legislation passed by Congress earlier this year,” said Lydia Dawson, vice president for government relations at ANCOR. “Although having a SOC recognizing the vital role of DSPs won’t solve every problem facing the disability services system, this long-overdue recognition of our workforce is a necessary step to addressing decades of underinvestment in the professionals who make community living possible for people with disabilities.”

ANCOR extends its deep gratitude to Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Joe Morelle (D-NY), as well as to Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), for championing this critical reform.

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